The republicans aren't gaining control of all branches of the government because the religious right is made up of madmen and madwomen or because lower taxes are the solution to almost all ills. They are winning because the country is very evenly divided and there are very reasonable people that believe that god, Jesus and the bible are the anchors of their lives and the only things that creates meaning for them. We don't focus on these people and the republicans do.
The question of values today sway many moderate people to select politicians speaking in the republican code words (especially sweet to the evangelical's ears) more than the issues of economic fairness and tolerance that the Democrats promote as their values. Our issues are certainly more the true bedrock of the bible than the anti- abortion, anti-homosexuality and "low taxes for the well to do" message of the other side.
Being agnostic, I am not one of the fervent Christians but given how strong this group is politically we maybe have to preach greater tolerance among ourselves before we can address the whole issue more effectively and honestly. There are many Christians already in our camp who are insulted by some of our comments and Diaries. We send many mixed messages.
Many Christians in the republican camp that lean towards the center must be conflicted with their political affiliation given the range of hateful activities our government espouses. They should be the target of both our platform and every method of communication. We don't deserve to have their support at the moment.
The majority of Americans believe, as we do, that there should be a right to choose and that Roe vs. Wade should not be overturned. Despite this, they choose by a small national majority and very large majorities in many states to elect individuals who are openly against these ideals. Clearly there are many factors at play but if they voted simply on abortion rights we would win nationally more often.
If you add the issue of full gay rights the voting numbers are even worse for the progressive cause as less Americans support full and complete gay rights including marriage as basics of citizenship. We can't and shouldn't change our determination to support women's right to choose and gays' rights to live with the same privileges and protections as all heterosexuals. What are our options?
The Christians in our country are no more monolithic than the Republican Party is at present. Their diversity is our strength. Our focus here in Kos or elsewhere shouldn't be on the loony fringe however easy they are to make fun of or become enraged with. There is money to be made in enraging us and creating fear among them.
There may be no real common ground on abortion rights for many of us. The common ground may be on abortion where we might agree is that we want less of them. They are invasive medical procedures that may have lasting emotional problems for some individuals. Genuine and honest efforts to reduce unwanted pregnancies are good for society and bring us closer to those who both support Roe vs. Wade and vote republican for aforementioned issues. Our values are tied to theirs more closely if concentrate on what we share.
The gay rights issue is one of timing and is a basic civil rights issue. What has been effective with corporations and municipalities is the question of fairness and economic progress. This should be our values message. We have come much further than I expected in this arena. I think it had to do with gays' having the courage to let families across the nation know they were in the family. Think of the discussion in the Cheney's household. I'm sure even their rhetoric changed over time.
Gaining incremental gay rights will be our party's course while having to accept civil unions until marriage is guaranteed is much like the middle ground on abortion. There will not be a straight line but the "28th amendment" will be passed simply outlining what will be as obvious as the rights expressed in the 13th and 14th amendments. Our values are not different with the moderates if they are ones of basic fairness while allowing that church marriages will be something for the future (as individual churches become comfortable with all the members of their congregations).
We need to revel in the politics of the day but at the core of our problems is the need to respect all members of religions and monitor how certain values factor into every message we send here at Kos and elsewhere in our nation. We will lose all the important battles if we can't resolve this one. We need to express our values in terms we already have potential support with those we feel can join our movement.
I'm tired of losing.