Some want to make tax-funded Drag Queen Story Hour available to 4 and 5 year olds. They also want to build a casino for the tax revenues to pay for all their other agenda items.
Some of our local cash-hungry politicians want to set aside 27 acres near the Silver Line in Fairfax County to build a casino they hope will be a gusher of new revenue.
Fairfax County now spends about $3.5 billion to fund county operations. These politicians want to spend more.
Among the many programs they’d like to fully fund is Drag Queen Story Time at local libraries for pre-schoolers and young children.
In a recent debate, my opponent and I were asked whether local libraries should sponsor Drag Queen Story Hour at taxpayer cost.
Because I opposed the use of taxpayer funds for such purposes, my opponent accused me of being a “hater” and anti-LGBTQ. He made the argument that exposing 4, 5, and 6 year olds to Drag Queen shows demonstrates to children that their sexual identity is fluid and entirely up to them.
I don’t understand that. Most 5 year olds I know aren’t even sure what color shoes they want to wear each day. Why should they be confronted by decisions about sex at all?
For the record, my opponent is wrong. I don’t hate anyone including drag queens. I wouldn’t want young children entertained by Playboy Bunnies or Chippendale strippers either.
And I worry that exposing children to drag queens, as entertaining as they may be, could actually make it harder on the gay and lesbian community.
Gays and lesbians face enough discrimination without the prejudice of being judged by the most flamboyant expressions of LGBTQ.
I get that some parents want their children to see other expressions of sexual identity. Parents have that right. But their neighbors should not be forced to foot the bill.
And for those who think a new casino will pay the way, studies show casinos actually cost as much or more revenue than they generate.
A wide variety of non-partisan groups report that casinos lead to a whole barrel of social problems including increased gambling addiction, higher rates of crime, and even more homelessness. All of which drive down quality of life and drive up tax payer costs.
There are also hidden costs. A study by the Realtor’s Association shows that casinos often lead to massive drops in the property values of neighboring communities.
My opponent is endorsed by those who support the casino. I didn’t ask for their support.
And there’s the choice.
He is a proud leftist who strongly supports taxpayer funded Drag Queen Story Time. I couldn’t disagree more. I’m a centrist who thinks our tax funds should be spent on things that help us all.
That doesn’t make either one of us the enemy. But it does show us why elections are important, and how real the choice is in this one.
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Thank you.
