on a lazy Sunday evening?
Here's one that's been on my mind for a while: Since the Republicans have called dibs on 'family values,' how about we stake our claim as the party of community values?
Years ago some Repug idiot mocked Hillary Clinton's "it takes a village to raise a child." Ha ha, stupid Democrats, any one with sense knows it takes a family to raise a child. Hillary responded well: It takes family, sure, but also clergy, teachers, neighbors, friends.
In a word, 'community.'
So, it tickled me to call the Repubs on dissing community, in their obsession with their narrow little slogan. Conjures up images of families in fallout shelters, armed to the teeth, fighting off the unwashed mobs who try to barge in. Not so fast, Pastor Dan! Git your hands off my survival rations, Constable Bill!
Then I started thinking, there is an even more profound difference between the family values drumbeat and community. In short,
'Family values' is fundie code for authoritarianism, the strict father who demands unquestioning obedience.
Communities are democratic. Diverse. Open. Tolerant. Messy perhaps. But vital. You brush elbows with people of different shapes, colors and orientations. You hear other views and perspectives. You may not care for the experience, you may wish for a Firm Resolute Leader to tell you what to think. But you'll be a better person, and society, for it.