A quote pulled off another blog on this site. Speaker was referring to the military funding of Plan B contraceptives. I'd include the article/speaker if I were less lazy.
Lesser point:
Don't say you're "morally obligated" to do something. It's your choice to stand against something as it is your choice to hold certain morals. Saying you're morally obligated to do something implies that others are also obligated to do it, or that they would do it if they had morals. It's not nice. And cliche.
Main point:
I once heard this put very nicely in a movie. If you'll allow me to try to quote it as they put it: "This isn't a free country, it's a Democracy. And the majority of us don't like what you're doing." You, by living in the U.S., have surrendered certain rights in order to secure your place here. Deal with it, stop whining, you don't get to choose what your taxes go toward, the majority does. If you want to change what your taxes support, get more people behind you. And if you can't do that, then shut up. If it makes you feel better, tell yourself that somebody else's taxes went to that cause, and yours paid for a senator's new car.
We aren't a Democracy actually, well we weren't founded as one. We need to go back to the country we were founded as.
I really like the lesser point. I can't argue with that sentiment.
While I agree with the harsh reality of the major point, I think it glosses over one important factor. Those who whine are often people who can't get more people behind them, or enough to make the difference. If for argument's sake, one group advocates a host of eco concerns in the face of the mighty economy, it will be met with huge resistance.
Influence and persuasion are huge factors which dictate the sway of democratic decisions. Cold hard cash and the influence that it buys, and the persuaion it facilitates will win out over the actual good for the people. Leaving many groups looking like they are doing nothing more than whining. They only appear to be whining because they are losing the persuasion game. The majority may be conclusively wrong in their stance, but all it takes to cement their views is persuasion.
If cash can buy influence and hire the best persuaders to champion the cause, then it's no slight against the minority opposition if they eventually descend into apathy. David and Goliath plays out great in the Bible, but in actuality the David's of this world usually get beaten to a bloody pulp and left to 'whine' from the dirt.
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I am the people my mother warned me about.