Tag Archives: Jared Polis

After 38 Years ENDA (The Employment Non-Discrimination Act) Is Stalled In Congress Once Again

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According to Rep. Jared Polis, the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) is once again stalled in Congress as it has been since 1994.  (LGBT History Lesson:  Similar gay and lesbian anti-discrimination  legislation has been introduced without passage since 1974.  (That is almost 39 years folks.)

“I hope to continue to increase the number of sponsors of ENDA in the next session. I am confident we will be able to do that. We still face opposition from Republican leadership, both in the committee and within the wider House, and their opposition makes it very unlikely that we will be able to bring it to the floor even if we’re able to get a majority of members to commit to support it.” – Rep. Jared Polis, confirming that ENDA has little chance of passage in the next Congress.

Perhaps R. Clarke Cooper and his Log Cabin Clubbers and the thoroughly disreputable fake hate crime producing GoProuders might wish to elaborate for the rest of us, why again LGBT people should be voting Republican?

The fact that ENDA struggles at all is completely insane. We are talking about a policy here that frequently polls at 70-80+% of Americans supporting it, and in fact that polls frequently show *most Americans believe to already be law*. This seems like something that could be used as a cudgel to beat the people blocking it with if it could advance enough for anyone to even be aware this is even a debate that’s HAPPENING.

As for Polis.  I realize that there is not much that he can do on the GOP side. (That is where Obama’s bully pulpit would have to come into place if he actually cared to and would learn to use it..)  BUT the fact that not 100 PERCENT of Democrats in the Seanate and in the House are on board for passing ENDA is shameful and the DNC should be exerting pressure and withholding campaign money from those Democrats who aren’t.

 

Juvenile Congressmen Whore Themselves On Reddit To Win “Facebook Likes Contest”

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Despite the fact that he’s both a Democrat and gay, I have never been a big fan of Colorado Congressional Rep Jared Polis and for some very good reasons.

He’s a mixed bag at best.   He co-signs and backs many pro LGBT bills but he never really pushes forward hard on them.  And while he did vote against SOPA, he also voted for tax cuts for the rich.  He’s a pampered and spoiled and now it seems shallow to boot.

But now with Congress in a stalled, and in a backed up mess and with just months to go I find Polis “pimping” himself on Reddit to win the “Congressional Facebook Like Contest”. 

From Reddit – Posted by Representative Jared Polis (D)

So yes, we members of Congress actually have contests among ourselves when we’re not busy destroying internets. We’re having this this contest to see who gets the most new facebook likes and twitter followers over the next week (before Friday 7/27). So if u wanna help me and give me more internet glory and karma among members of Congress, please upvote this post and most importantly like my facebook page and follow my twitter @jaredpolis

That’s all!

Jared

I’ll be around checking this post too so happy to reply to stuff below. Isn’t it cute we have contests like this in Congress?

Likes from anywhere in the world will do, and other planets too! Also alternative universes.

Edit: here is the link to my old AMA

Edit: This kinda became a new AMA, that’s cool, as long as I WIN THIS CONTEST. off to bed for a few but I’ll check in before work and answer whatever else I can… in the mean time if you like me literally, then take a moment and like my facebook page so I can tell the rest of ’em about the POWER of REDDIT.

When I read the entire thread it actually wasn’t all that bad in at least one way.  Polis answers questions from the members of Reddit almost like a cyber-town hall.  And that in itself  is not a bad thing.  What is a bad thing though is that he’s only doing it to win a “Congressional Facebook Like” contest and not as just reaching out to the citizens of the United States.

Seriously now.  Is this what Congress does? Sees who can get more Facebook likes and Twitter followers.  What are they 12 years old?

We vote them in to be  in charge to work and improve this country and they waste time and effort with a stupid internet popularity contest?

The LGBT community are under attack and second class citizens, the poor are dying, the middle class is  out of work, and the world economy is collapsing.

Polis and this Congress are part of the least liked and least effective Congress ever.  If the lot of them actually did thier job and stopped playing political pissing games then they wouldn’t have to whore themselves on Reddit and social media sites to get Facebook likes.  They’ll come naturally.

Till then.  No Facebook like from me.  Just a kick in the ass.

Now get back to work.

Jared "Give Obama A Break" Polis and Hubby Expecting A Child.

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Openly gay Democratic Congressman Jared Polis of Colorado, who recently appeared at Netroots Nation and touted President Obama’s accomplishments and told the audience to “give him a break” has announced that he and his longtime partner say they’re expecting to be parents in September.
 
The couple declined to say whether they’re adopting or having a child through a surrogate pregnancy.
 
Congratulation’s Jared.  Luckily if you are adopting you live in a state that allows it.  But it’s going to be kind of awkward when you have to explain to the child that Daddy is a Washington politician and a second class citizen.

Jared Polis and The Progressive Caucus Push Nancy Pelosi on ENDA

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Jared Polis, as well as fellow Congressional Progressive Caucus members, co-chairs Rep. Lynn C. Woolsey and Rep. Raul Grijalva.  But this time rather than focusing only on the equality argument, the letter takes aim at ENDA’s economic necessity in a time of financial uncertainty,

“As our economy works to recover, now seems the right time to thrust the American workforce into the 21st century with legislation that addresses discriminatory workplace practices,” reads the missive, obtained by the Washington Blade and currently being circulated for signatures. “Already struggling with an unemployment rate of over 9 percent, the American worker should not need to contend with an employer’s personal discomfort or bias against the sexual orientation or gender identity of an employee. Turning a blind eye to harassment and discrimination against the LGBT community has too long been a stain on our otherwise proud record of worker protection.”

Thank you Jared and progressives but  considering that Pelosi has said ENDA won’t be approached until after DADT’s repeal makes it seem unapproachable for the next few years now and even if the House does pass it the Senate will still fuck it up.

But thanks at least for trying and not giving up.

*You can read the FULL Letter to Pelosi after the jump….

The Honorable Nancy Pelosi
Speaker of the House
US House of Representatives
H 232, the Capitol
Washington, D.C. 20515

Dear Madam Speaker:

Members of the Progressive Caucus thank you for unrelenting support for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community and for making American jobs a top priority for the 111th Congress. Now is a dire time for the American worker and we believe, H.R. 3017, the Employee Nondiscrimination Act is a vital piece in our economic recovery. With the support of the Democratic leadership and the demonstrated commitment of the Administration, we believe this Congress will finally shut the door on employee discrimination.

For nearly 20 years progressive members of Congress have been fighting to end discrimination and create a fair and equitable workplace for the LGBT community. In a metaanalysis conducted by the Williams Institute, statistics revealed a persistent and unacceptable trend towards open harassment, unfair hiring practices, unwarranted firings and unequal pay. As a caucus concerned with open-minded and progressive views, we take exception to this blatant mistreatment.

As our economy works to recover, now seems the right time to thrust the American workforce into the 21st century with legislation that addresses discriminatory workplace practices. Already struggling with an unemployment rate of over 9 percent, the American worker should not need to contend with an employer’s personal discomfort or bias against the sexual orientation or gender identity of an employee. States that have adopted anti-discrimination laws report higher employee satisfaction and company morale. Unfortunately, there are only 20 states and the District of Columbia with these policies in place and 12 that also encompass thetransgender community.

Employment, promotions and retention should be based on merit and merit alone. For the individual this means a safe and productive work environment where there is a focus on results not a preoccupation with their choice in partner or gender identity. Employers, too, should set their sights on an egalitarian workplace that encourages a sense of community and teamwork. In fact, 94 percent of Fortune 100 companies have antidiscrimination policies protecting lesbian and gay employees and 60 percent protect transgender employees. The best companies hire, promote and retain the best talent, all of which is only made possible by creating a supportive and accepting environment.

ENDA will put the LGBT community on an even footing with every other employee. Turning a blind eye to harassment and discrimination against the LGBT community has too long been a stain on our otherwise proud record of worker protection. It is imperative to shine a light on this issue and add yet another achievement to this exceptionally accomplished Congress.

We look forward to working with you and to enact ENDA in the 111th Congress

Sincerely,
Raul Grijalva, CPC Co-Chair
Lynn Woolsey, CPC Co-Chair
Jared Polis, CPC Member

Jared Polis To Log Canin Republicans (Bald) Head R. Clarke Cooper On Chris Matthew’s Hardball: "Clark has a tough job being a member of a club that doesn’t want him as a member." (VIDEO)

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Chris Matthews covered the Sen. Saxby Chambliss “all faggots must die” scandal last night and had on as guests openly gay Rep. Jared Polis and Log Cabin head R. Clarke Cooper to discuss what should happen next n Ckambi\liss;\’ office. 

Cooper tries to defensd of the GOP, saying that there aren’t any gay haters in the GOP’s offices. Matthews responds amazed  “Not at ALL?” then Jared Polis comes out with the best line ever about Clark  “Clark has a tough job being a member of a club that doesn’t want him as a member.”

YEA JARED!  Thats what we need!  More SNARK and less PC bullshit!

I LOVES ME some Jared Polis right now!

Rep. Jared Polis Says EDNA To Pass House Within Weeks. Shouldn’t Someone Tell Joe Solomese And The HRC?

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Someone should contact Joe Solmonsleaze Solmonese and the Human Rights Campaign because Rep. Jared Polis, the openly gay Coloradan Democrat says the Employment Non-Discrimination Act is going to pass in just a few weeks and  there’s movement on the issue.and surprisingly the HRC which collects tens of millions of dollars every year with the promise it will lobby lawmakers and work with them to push ahead legislation just like this doesn’t seem to know anything about it.

Said Polis to Frontiers’s Karen Ocamb:

“We have the votes to pass ENDA in the House and we hope to bring it before the committee I serve on – the Education Labor Committee – within the month – by the end of April,” he tells Frontiers’s Karen Ocamb. “And then, once it passes the committee, it shouldn’t take more than a couple of weeks – a week or two – to schedule it for the floor. It’s just a scheduling matter. We think we would have passed it by now if it wasn’t for healthcare taking up much of the workload of our committee. I don’t know about the Senate – but in the House, we expect to pass out substantially. It has substantial support. The Senate requires 60 votes so it’s a matter of getting some Republican moderates to support it.”

Now Polis just might be talking out oif his ample ass for fundraising purposes and is offering hope, where there isn’t any. There may be enough support in the House, but none in the US Senate. and then theres the fact that Nancy Pelosi promised her Members that she wouldn’t bring ENDA up for a vote before the Mid-terms unless the Senate had the votes to pass it. There are only 51 supporters of ENDA in the US Senate. Because LGBT-issues are non-negotiable and that isn’t about to change. Despite the hundreds of millions spent by HRC to lobby Congress every year (suppossedly) and they have never changed a single vote!

Consideing that HRC is on lockdown and working hard on it’s trying to defend its total “lameness” as an organization it’s not surprising that once again it’s out of the loop.  But be certain of one thing.  If EDNA does pass they will be the first to step forward and take the credit and as soon as they hear about what Polis said a donation letter should be hitting your inbox shortly.