Why is President Obama putting an end to the 'don't ask don't tell' military policy?

Answer 1

Abolishing the policy was one of the President's campaign promises, based on the Democratic Party platform. This, in turn, was based on certain facts:

1. The majority of career military officers found the policy unworkable and impractical: too many competent, even outstanding soldiers were forced out of the service. On the other hand, the policy did nothing to soldiers who were capable of deceiving their superiors.

2. The policy has discouraged many people from joining the service at a time when the US is pursuing two active wars.

3. "Outprocessing" -- removing soldiers from military service -- costs at least tens of thousands of your tax dollars, even if the dismissal is not challenged.

4. Finally, and perhaps most significant in the long term, it is a form of unjustifiable discrimination -- a violation of the basic American principles for which we ask our military personnel to fight and die.