In most other policy areas, the message is the opposite: as a small country, we cannot ignore the external environment; we must keep abreast of trends and always stay plugged in and competitive.

In most other policy areas, the message is the opposite: As a small country, we cannot ignore the external environment. We must keep abreast of trends and stay plugged in and competitive.

This is the argument made for keeping income taxes down, and raising GST: our taxation policy must be attractive for foreign investment. And for the reengineering of the aviation industry: we can’t wish away budget carriers.

Even in areas outside economics, we use this ’external imperative’ argument. A rising China, so learn Chinese. We need creative talent for a knowledge economy, so rework the education system.

This is the argument made for keeping income taxes down, and raising GST: Our taxation policy must be attractive for foreign investment. And for the reengineering of the aviation industry: We can’t wish away budget carriers.

Even outside economics, we use this ’external imperative’ argument. A rising China, so learn Chinese. We need creative talent for a knowledge economy, so rework the education system.

There is an inexorable shift towards full integration of gay citizens in other countries, particularly the leading examples of knowledge economies we so want to emulate.

The American Enterprise Institute, a conservative think tank, recently reported from their 2003 survey that 59% of Americans wouldn’t rule out a gay Presidential candidate, 61% found gay elementary school teachers acceptable, and 80% were fine with the idea of gay soldiers. Gay acceptance is not a minority belief, but a majority view.

There is a shift towards full integration of gay citizens elsewhere, particularly in the leading examples of knowledge economies we want to emulate.

The American Enterprise Institute, a conservative think-tank, reported in their 2003 survey that 59per cent of Americans wouldn’t rule out a gay Presidential candidate, 61 per cent found gay elementary school teachers acceptable and 80 per cent were fine with the idea of gay soldiers. In the US, gay acceptance is not a minority belief, but a majority view.

The British Social Attitudes Survey 2000 found that only 47% thought homosexuality wrong. Of those under thirty, only 23% did. As the Economist magazine said, "homophobia is dying off."

The Netherlands, Belgium and Canada now have same-sex marriages. France, Germany and Denmark have civil unions; Britain soon. Even in America with their religious fundamentalists, few think the clock can be turned back. After the Massachusetts Supreme Court ruled that gays should be permitted to marry, opponents tried to organize a constitutional amendment to overturn the ruling. After some months of debate, the only proposal moving forward is one that defines marriage as between a man and woman, but at the same time, mandates gay civil unions. In other words, the debate isn’t one of allowing or disallowing same-sex unions. It is merely one of semantics whether or not to call it marriage.

The British Social Attitudes Survey 2000 found only 47 per cent who thought homosexuality wrong. Of those under 30,, only 23% did. The Netherlands, Belgium and Canada now have same-sex marriages. France, Germany and Denmark have civil unions and Britain will soon have it. 

Even in the US, with its religious fundamentalists, few think the clock can be turned back. After the Massachusetts Supreme Court ruled that gays should be permitted to marry, opponents tried to organise a constitutional amendment to overturn the ruling. After some months of debate, the only proposal moving forward is one that defines marriage as between a man and woman. But at the same time, it mandates gay civil unions. Thus the debate isn’t one of allowing or disallowing same-sex unions. It is merely one of semantics  -- whether or not to call it marriage.

One may think that only a small percentage of professionals are gay, and that it won’t be a significant loss. But that’s not the way to look at it. It’s how many corporations contain gay staff. Why would an investor locate here if one or more of his key executives resist the transfer?

Talent also flows the other way. How many sons and daughters do we lose annually because they want a freer life elsewhere? I wonder if anybody is even keeping count.

© Yawning Bread 

© Yawning Bread