Hot commodity: Levi dives into politics!

Levi Kreiss is an extremely talented singer, songwriter and actor and the epitome of a Hot commodity!

Levi's very opinionated and didn't pull any punches when answering the following political questions. You'll also not want to miss his latest video at the bottom of the post!

Which political figure throughout history do you admire most and why? 
History tends to be kind to our political leaders so I’ll trust my personal evaluation of the current period and nominate Al Gore.  Why?  Whether you believe he should have been president in 2000 or not no one can argue he leveraged his prior political notoriety and became a more effective leader in the private sector.  His response to the global warming crisis facing this planet has been more effective than any elected politician we’ve seen in recent decades.

If you loved everything about a candidate and then found out they were opposed to gay marriage, would you still support them? 
I think it’s time we started asking not what can my country do for my minority, but what can my minority do for my country.  I want equal rights, but when thousands of senseless deaths continue to incur overseas in a war that we never should have been in, how selfish to make this election about our little pink bubble.  It is doubtful the three candidates would sign a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage; therefore there are more paramount issues, in my opinion.

If you could ask a political candidate anything, what would it be and to whom? 
I would ask Mrs. Clinton if she feels guilty about the blind support she receives from a large portion of the gay community after signing the Defense of Marriage Act.

Who's opinion do you value when deciding how to vote? 
Mine.

Who has been your favorite presidential candidate since you've been alive? 
Obama, no question.  If he remains undefined to you, go to his website and read his policies, proposals, and positions. 

What is the biggest problem facing our country right now?
Division.  Intolerance.  Religion and Politics suffer from one foundational problem human’s are not ready to let go of: their need to be right and make others wrong.

Do you feel your vote counts? 
I think getting off my ass and educating myself about the candidates makes the difference, instead of letting CNN, Fox News, and MSNBC think for me. 

Should a national health care system be created? 
I support this completely; and there may be more than one way to accomplish this. Opening up Medicare or the Congressional health care plan as a free market competitor to health insurance companies seems to be the most intriguing idea.  Simply mandating people acquire health insurance won’t assist low income families.

Which is scarier to you and why: Terrorists, criminals, global warming, the IRS, or our own government? 
How about corporate controlled media?

If you knew you could win, would you be President? 
I've memorized enough Scripture to convince right wing America to vote for me, but that doesn’t mean I’m presidential or qualified. 

Comments

[TimNCGuy]

for someone who claims to be up on political indformation, why does this man think Hillary Clinton signed DOMA into law? Is he under the impression that Hillary was president in a former life?

also, I hope his comment about healthcare "mandates" was directed at Hillary's position either. Because her proposal certainly DID include assistance for low income families. Maybe Obama is the only candidate he actually did any investigation on.

[John]

I appreciate people who are politically minded, but how about a little education in American government? The president doesn't sign a constitutional amendment; really, they are totally irrelevant in the process other than making their views known. Congress and the states are the key players; if Congress passes an amendment, then it goes right to the states. Whether the president signs it or not is irrelevant. He/she has no veto power whatsoever.

[gayincoconutgrove]

In one response, he says there are things more important than gay marriage and immediately afterwards gets on Hilary Clinton for signing the DoMA which is something that she could not have signed. I'm impressed; not everyone can contradict themselves and show their ignorance so quickly.

[Joey]

As an artist myself I am proud of this guy for not being afraid to answer these questions and I'm sure he did it to the best of his knowledge. If the guy doesn't know exactly how this works I ask ... how many people actually do??? Sounds to me like everyone is just looking for something to hate about him. Levi, thanks for doing your best on a subject most celebs would be completely clueless over.

[Danny]

Look I have no problem with "artists" expressing their political opinions, as its our right as citizens to do so. But when this guy is given a spotlight to show off and then makes one blunder after another, it really is funny and sad. And the comment about giving the guy a break because he doesn't know how "this works" is even more laughable. If he doesn't know how it works, maybe he should not come off as an expert who's researched all the facts. Bottom line, the guy is none to bright and makes "artists" look petty.

[SunDiEgoGreg]

Well the "Coporate Controlled Media" bit sounds funny coming from this guy whom I never heard of in shich only makes me guess his retaliative opinion. I admire this young man's opinion. At least he has one whether it is correct or not. Besides just like him, me or anyone else's here today 50% of the people either like you or not. No body should take politics too seriously anyways if your gay or not, artistic or not. I mean come on, they are still haven't resolved some ot the same unimportant issues used to wim votes every 4 years since I've been alive. Besides, clearly McCain is throwing this election away expecting Republicans of all people to vote for a soccer (Pardon me) hockey mom who uses a semi-automatic for hunting. Why should anyone from Alaska be too concerned about globabl warming. & we should be asking what McCain is really hiding riding on the skirts of a couple of beauty queens. I guess do whatever you need to do to make yourself look less ugly. HA HA!

[Bill]

I agree whole heartedly with Mr Kreiss' view on gay marraige. There *are* more important things facing all citizens here.

Nevertheless I support the right of people to define marraige for themselves - regardless of sexual orientation or other factors. In other words I think it is time for all governments to get out of the business of legally supporting holiness codes on the matter, and I would like to see our gay institutions broaden this fight for rights to include everyone rather than to support efforts which just introduce another exclusive franchise.

Ultimately there is no authority that can define or support what "family" and "marraige" means other than the individuals who commit themselves to the relationship, and laws should reflect that.

[luvbottoms07]

Who is this guy anyway? Aren't we tired of skinny Jewish singers with a six pack ??!! Just shut up and look pretty and leave the opinions to those who know what they are talking about. Everytime some "celebrity" tries this garbage, it just explodes in their face like Angelina Jolie-Pitt or Madonna. Give it up already. We don't need to know how stupid they really are.

[Keith]

I stopped paying attention when he said all that nonsense about nObama. Plus I happen to think that if we continue to hide our head in the sand with regard to equal rights issues and focus on more "important" issues like the war, then we are only setting ourselves back that much further. Lets stop the nonsense and realize they are both important issues and there is room for both to be considered in a public and political forum. I don't blindly support Hilary. I know what shes about. I'm not stupid. I just prefer her over any other Democratic candidate, especially nObama. How dare he assume I'm lead so easily and foolishly. Perhaps he is the one who should rethink his blind support of nObama. I say lets start over and toss nObama and McCain out of the ring and get some new candidates. No matter which one we get this country is headed further down the downward spiral we are on. Oh and Mr Levi, memorizing scripture isnt enough for the right wing or more correctly stated... the religious right... you'd have to hide the fact that your gay so I guess that rules you out for consideration of being president now dont it.

[SERIALSEAN]

I think it's absurd that so many people have decided to target this artist for his opinions and views.
As most of these negative comments have come from Americans I'm pretty sure that you wouldn't want someone viewing your opinions as stupid and irrevevant - have Americans forgotten about their constitutional right to express their own opinion - weither right or wrong?
And how dare you people shun someone for excercising that right - it takes courage to stand before the world and express yourself, artistically or politically - and this man has done both in a positive and constructive way. Much more than I can say about the majority of you who have responded.
It's very unfortunate that instead of realizing the positives in his open expression you have decided to try to stomp him under the rug - it really speaks for who you are as an individual and the way you view things. Typical.

[TimNCGuy]

Look, all I was pointing out in my earlier comment is that if this guy is going to "bash" Hillary for signing DoMA into law, shouldn't he understand that she didn't do any such thing? And, if he is going to bad mouth Hillary's health insurance mandates, shouldn't he also understand that her plan had assistance for the poor in it instead of just assuming that it didn't?

If he wants to disagree with Hillary, that's fine. But, the lease he could do is know what her position actually is before he disagrees with it. Hillary has a website too. And just as he has directed people to read Obama's to understand his positions, maybe he should have taken the time to read hers as well.

[dawsonNorth]

He thinks that Hillary signed the DOMA? What a joke. He wants to be a spokesman? What a F'n JOKE. He's sure studly, there's no doubt about that. It would seem he could give a tiny portion of his attention to the causes he wants to represent. Imagine the credibility this man could reign in. Instead, he appears to be nothing more than uneducated and uninformed. He sure does sing pretty. Pity he comes across as so shallow. Please tell me I'm wrong. He's talented. Lets hope he can make a difference. Not impressed so far.

[corrective_unconscious]

I'd give him a pass on conflating Bill and Hillary as a unit that presided during DOMA and DADTDP, but the premise there is still a bit wrong. Those two compromises were triangulation strategeries to take the wind out the sails of more draconian measures that were brewing at the time, imo - and a time in which we didn't have the strength in Congress to defeat the homophobes outright. The Clintons might have ultimately stunk on our issues, like every compromiser of basic rights stinks, but they stunk so much less than all the others before them that I can surely find better targets for my contempt.

[Jeff Sterling]

Please come to our Pride Event in Utica NY, Sept 19th or 20th.
We love you!!!

[christopher mullen]

after reading hs comments he left me feeling very inspired to judge the political issues as I see them, not how the news media want us to think. Even though we do have several issues facing this country that needs attention, we should never shelve legalizing gay marriage.
Chris

[vern]

i am a christian - and a believer in equal rights for everyone. same sex marriage dies not degrade or take away from opposite sex marriages in any way. jesus himself never addressed the homosexuallity issue there fore my view is that there is no problem. historically the issue was with same sex prostitution in the pagan temples - not everyday same sex relationships. i fully support all rights for same sex marriages. i think that obama would be the best choice for america at this point in our history. he's moderate, self made, a great thinker, and not self imposed. we don't need someone who comes off self impressed or sanctimonious. we need a pres/vp combination who've come up the hard way and know what it is to live from day to day. unfortunately there are too many who follow strictly party lines regardless of the cerebral effort it takes to evaluate the events/facts and make changes.

[boxrtym]

This man was asked to do this interview and share his views, by us the public. And after do this, you attack his views and intellegence? I am not saying everyone has to has to agree, just disagree repsectfully.

Mr Kreiss, I for one, am honored that you've taken the time to at least have an opinion and share it. I appreciate the fact you are an open gay role model for our youth.

[Andrew]

Look... This guy is f*cking hot. I would not kick him out of bed. However, who gives a flying douche what he thinks about politics. What are his credentials? This is crap.

[Tim]

I feel that Mr. Levi Kreiss having a political opinion is great. At least he is reading about the issues and being informed. The majority of people in the LGBT community are very much uninformed. The one thing that I do disagree with Mr. Kreiss on is that the issues of our little Pink Bubble should be fore front in our minds. You can be sure that other group’s issues are at the main front of their minds. By not pushing for our issues in a unified way we are getting further behind. We are far from being on an equal basis with other citizens. If you do not understand the hate for gays and lesbians, try living in the south. Its time we come together as a uniform group.

[AdmiralDupont]

I suspect that this interview with Levi Kreiss was attempt at inquiry into political views of celebrity in environment where many famous will deny having political opinions or be unwilling to state their views.

Unlike myself who is constitutional lawyer, Kreiss may not be different from most Americans in his ignorance of amendment process technicalities.

I think Kreiss' point is based upon perception -- rightly or wrongly -- that Hillary supported husband Bill
in his pursuit of DOMA -- whether for good reason or bad. Hillary campaign poz is not total opposition.

Similarly, I think Kreiss' stated views on national health had to do with what plans he thought would be good & acceptable to him rather than attack on any particular candidate.

I admire those who are open to giving primacy to issues that may not benefit them first & foremost.

Though not Vietnamese or Iraqi, I have been anti-War activist; though not Black, I have been Civil Rights activist; though not female, I have been Feminist; though not physically handicapped, I have been Disability Rights activist; though not Hispanic,
I have been United Farmworkers org;
though not Native American, I have been American Indian Movement org.

I began campaigning actively for Gay Rights prior to Stonewall Rebellion when not yet certain about my own sexual oriention for many years.

The difference between a Civil Rights
activist & a Human Rights activist is
willingness 2 campaign for rights of
others and willingness to put first rights of others when that appears to be more philosophically important,
politically effective or strategically practical thing to do at specific given moment in time.

[Thesp467]

I applaud him for sharing his views, good for him, whether uneducated or not at least he has them. Go out to a gay gathering and ask a few people these questions, and get some real laughs. I am uneducated politically as well but this is the first time in my life I feel I need to get involved. We all should feel that way. This is how the Civil Rights movement came to be and how women got the right to vote. At least we're not talking about Brittney or Madonna, or where the next party is at.

As for shelving or little pink bubble. Hell NO! I shelved it in the 80's and the 90's. I Spent 13 Years in the Military under don't ask don't tell, petrified of discovery, all for serving my country, and taking an oath to die for it! So no more waiting to take care of more important things. How many of us have to die feeling like second class citizens. Like our lives, our loves, have to be hidden. That little pink bubble is not so little. Perhaps in larger cities we can have our neighborhoods and celebrations but in mainstream America, the south, the Midwest, small towns, the military, people are still afraid of being found out, people are still told their relationships don't matter.

[james]

HI LEVI I WOULD LOVE TO GET TO KNOW YOU A LOT MORE JAMES XO

[Spoonsla]

Wow...so a slip of the tongue "signed" instead of "voted for" hangs the guy on the cross? She voted for it. That's all I need to know, pink bubble or no. And how many people on here can even construct an idea about how to solve the damned healthcare crisis? Several poorly written comments on this site suggest Mr. Kreis is uneducated regarding his opinions or should be quiet as he is a "pretty" artist. How wrong and vapid to dismiss a solicited opinion and how easy to sit at your computer attacking him for sharing what may not be agreeable points to you, but are more carefully thought out than your average joe. Lighten up folks. Mr. Kreis, thanks for being a good musician AND a thoughtful interviewee.