Illiberal Democracy

With the probable rise of ultra-illiberal democratic politics in the Palestinian territories, we have our own little foray into exclusive, particularist politics in Virgina also today. The Virginian state Senate approved sending a referendum banning same-sex marriage to the public. Just goes to show you that democracy doesn't always protect minority rights of liberty and equality.

Certainly, Virginia's gay community should put up a fight, but they could also vote with their feet, moving to more inclusive and tolerant states and communities that value their contributions. Come to my closest hometown of Philly or for that matter, New Hope, Bucks County.

It would be the perfect sociological experiment to prove the theory of Richard Florida, a professor of regional economic development at Carnegie Mellon University, who's famous for his argument of the creative class -- gays, artists, etc -- who bring their talents to diverse, inclusive, and tolerant spaces. Check it out at my old stomping grounds, The Washington Monthly.