Don't Cry for Me, Argentina . . .

. . . . actually . . . go ahead. Weep away. Cry that a country whose founding fathers "hold these truths to be self evident, that all men are created equal" over two hundred and thirty years ago still doesn't offer full equality to it's gay and lesbian citizens while you, Argentina, which was under the sway of various dictators only decades ago has granted marriage equality to all citizens. Quite the turn around there.

It's definitely a thought worth shedding some tears over.

You remember when we thought of ourselves as the country that was leading the world in progress socially, economically, technologically, and democratically? It wasn't really that long ago, was it?

How in the heck did we find ourselves behind the curve on ALL fronts? And how do we make things better?

My mind wanders to a bumper sticker I saw on a truck this morning. It said "If you don't like America, then GET OUT!" I spent the drive thinking about that sentiment. That's our problem. We've become a country of people who can't agree to disagree anymore. We've become a country of people who think that "my way" is the only way to be. When in the hell did the "Great American Melting Pot" become so sharply divided into its ingredients?

That kind of thinking will be the death of our great nation. No, I don't like everything about our country, but I understand that it's my duty as a citizen to voice my dissent on issues. It's my duty to elect the people who's ideas most match mine so that they can enact change, so that our great nation can evolve and grow. It's not my place to "get out" when I'm dissatisfied.

That truck had other bumper stickers as well. Some real classics: "I own a gun and I vote"; "McCain/Palin"; and "True American Patriot".

Here's my question: (aside from wondering if this person is planning on taking his gun to shoot at the voting machine, of course) wouldn't a real patriot welcome open discussion of controversial issues with a person of opposing views? Isn't that what we DO? Isn't that what "makes America great"? That's what I was taught.

Oh, and for the record. I'm a gay liberal who wants desperately to marry his husband. But I also own a gun, and vote.

Maybe I'm reading too much into bumper stickers on a truck, but it seems to me things like that are in indicator of major issues that we have to overcome in our great country. We have to learn to disagree with each other peacefully again, or we're doomed. Progress comes out of dissent; not from wearing blinders and refusing to see the other perspective.

In the meantime, I'm going to go listen to the original cast album of "Evita" and raise a glass to the good people of Argentina. They have made true progress toward full equality, and I envy them.