Famous singer Cher has made an entrance into political debate with the same tired third party blame game. In a tweet, she took a stand against Libertarian candidate Gary Johnson and Green Party candidate Jill Stein. The implication of the singer, who supports Associated Press-nominated Democratic candidate Hillary Clinton, is that supporting any candidate other than those of either two major party is simply dividing the vote.
This is the argument two party supporters resort to when no more logical points exist. Why should we vote for Hillary Clinton? Let’s not discuss the points of such an argument, instead opting for fearmongering over a Trump presidency. Does Cher believe that fear will give Clinton a clearer path to the White House?
The problem is when Cher does defend Clinton on the issues, it is still deprived of logic.
Recently, Cher appeared at a Hillary Clinton rally. At the rally, she declared “I know that Hillary fights for equality for all people and we are no good unless all of us are equal.”
We’re equal with the Clinton family? If every American got paid millions of dollars just so people could hear them speak, the economy would be in a much better place. Unfortunately, not everyone gets paid good money just to hear their mouth move, like Clinton or Cher.
In terms of LGBT rights, Clinton supported her husband signing the Defense of Marriage Act as President. The controversial Defense of Marriage Act defined marriage at a federal level as being between one man and one woman.
In a Senate speech in 2004, Clinton specifically stated, “I believe marriage is not just a bond, but a sacred bond between a man and a women. I have had occasion in my life to defend marriage, to stand up for marriage, to believe in the hard work and challenge of marriage. So I take umbrage at anyone who might suggest that those of us who worry about amending the Constitution are less committed to the sanctity of marriage, or to the fundamental bedrock principle that exists between a man and a woman.”
Clinton’s position is that only heterosexual couples have a right to get married. Would the LGBT community agree that this is equality for all people?
Former New Mexico Governor Gary Johnson actually favors equality and wants the government out of marriage. Hillary Clinton wants government involved with marriage to maintain inequality. Jill Stein has long supported gay marriage, as well.
Cher later said of Republican nominee Donald Trump, “When I see Trump talking, I just want to blow my brains out.”
For someone who claims a lot of concern and care for equality, making light of suicide should be the last thing they do. But apparently committing suicide is comparable to listening to a politician talk.
The Trevor Project, an organization dedicated to ending suicide among LGBT youth, has detailed facts and statistics regarding suicide. Suicide is the second leading cause of death among individuals between ages 10 to 24, with questioning youth 3 times more likely to attempt suicide and LGB youth 4 times more likely. Nearly half of all transgender people have had suicidal thoughts and a quarter of all have actually attempted suicide. 1 in 6 students between grades 9-12 have seriously considered suicide in the last year.
If Cher is going to attack Johnson and Stein, at least be honest about it. This isn’t about LGBT equality or rights, it’s about politics. If it was truly about LGBT freedom, Cher would be supporting Johnson or Stein, and not Hillary Clinton. But she’s not. Instead, the clear implication in her deeply insensitive rhetoric is that all of these suicidal teenagers should at least be thankful that, despite being harassed and mistreated, they don’t have to listen to a certain disagreeable politician speak.
Wow, members of both old parties are getting their excuses for losing out early.
Trump supporters think the LP may spoil their chance of being elected. Now Hillary supporters are saying the same thing for their candidate.
I hope they’re both right.
So just vote for whoever gives Cher the most work.
Unreal. I’m with Jesse Ventura. NEVER let a Republican or a Democrat tell you voting 3rd party is a wasted vote.
“Voting is voting your heart and voting your conscience and when you’ve done that, don’t ever, EVER let a Democrat or Republican tell you that you’ve wasted your vote because the fact is, if you DON’T vote your heart and conscience then you HAVE wasted your vote.”