Any time I see a dirtbag politician blathering about "family values" I want to slap the stupid bastard silly and kick him where it really hurts.
There are no damned family values in the United States, especially when brainless rightwing demagogues are running things, the likes of Pat Robertson, James Dobson, the late Jerry Falwell, the other idiotic religious crowd et al–and the likes of GWB, Giuliani, McCain, the much-married Newtie Gingrich (thank God the bastard is not going to run for president and we don’t have to look at his ugly face through a campaign and election cycle!).
It’s my European background, you see. I know what real family values are.
Valuing the family. Protecting the family. Ensuring that a family has enough income, health care, safe and healthy living conditions, to fully function as a family. That’s what they do in most of the civilized world. But not in the United States.
Family leave for the birth and early life of a child. My goodness! Allowing parents and children to form family bonds.
Family leave for family emergencies.
Family leave for family care-giving.
Decent daycare for working parents.
Affordable daycare for working parents.
Time off for working parents to spend with their families.
Building on the collective strength of the extended family.
The rights of families valued more than the rights of corporations. An idea that won’t fly in the United States.
I spent three months in Germany several years ago–and when I recovered from my addiction to shopping 24 hours a day seven days a week, I began to notice that on Saturdays and Sundays, when most commercial business in Germany was shut down, I saw German families trekking through the countryside in company, enjoying the outdoors, enjoying the company of their family. So inconceivabably healthy. So novel. Families spending time with each other. Families having time to spend with each other.
Here in the United States both parents HAVE to work in order to support a family. Sometimes both parents have to work at two or three jobs each in order to support a family. And, family leave? Hah! Heresy!
And, in regard to that arrogant bastard Bush, here’s a little item from February of 2005:
Last Friday when promoting social security reform with 'regular' citizens in Omaha, Nebraska, President Bush walked into an awkward unscripted moment in which he stated that carrying three jobs at a time is 'uniquely American.'
While talking with audience participants, the president met Mary Mornin, a woman in her late fifties who told the president she was a divorced mother of three, including a 'mentally challenged' son.
The President comforted Mornin on the security of social security stating that 'the promises made will be kept by the government.'
But without prompting Mornin began to elaborate on her life circumstances.
Begin transcript:
MS. MORNIN: That's good, because I work three jobs and I feel like I contribute.
THE PRESIDENT: You work three jobs?
MS. MORNIN: Three jobs, yes.
THE PRESIDENT: Uniquely American, isn't it? I mean, that is fantastic that you're doing that. (Applause.) Get any sleep? (Laughter.)
http://www.prisonplanet.com/...
That bastard Bush did not even have the right to be in the same room as that woman, that bastard Bush, that spoiled, conceited child of privilege who has never been held accountable. What the hell does he know about holding down three jobs, he has who never even held down one job, he who has never been responsible for the welfare of others.
And, when the smarmy American media bleated sycophantically about how Bush was going out to San Diego to "comfort" those in the recent burn zone, or to Virginia Tech to "comfort" the victims of the NRA, I wanted upchuck.
And, what about the "family values" of David Vitter?
And for an unverified trip through a history of Republican trysts (no supporting documentation and not up-to-date, but probably mostly true):
http://quinnell.us/...
My, my, Pat Buchanan. . . You’ve got to love the scabrous old codger for his current views on war though. And kudos to Cliff Schecter’s Republican Sexcapades.