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Wayne Besen
PO Box 25491
Brooklyn, NY 11202
Eight of ten Americans feel the country's moral values are getting worse - a record high for the annual Gallup survey since it began in 2002. According to the poll of 1,002 adults conducted May 8-11 and released yesterday, 81 percent of adults say the nation's "state of moral values" is getting worse, compared to only 11 percent who say values are improving.
The latest figure marks a jump of 14 points since 2002 and a four point jump since 2005. The negative outlook on morality since 2002 took the greatest jump among independents (at 18 points) and Republicans (16 points). The change among Democrats was relatively low at 6 points.
Isn't it amazing that after two terms of Bush and right wing Republicans running the nation, people think our morals are in the toilet. Thanks "values voters" for your "moral" leadership.
The poll also revealed that Amricans are a bunch of double-talking hypocrites. According to the results, 53 percent of Democrats said homosexuality is morally acceptable, only 36 percent of Republicans said the same. In regards to divorce, 71 percent of Democrats viewed it as morally acceptable while 59 percent of Republicans said the same. Some 65 percent of Democrats approved sex between an unmarried man and woman, compared to 50 percent of Republicans. Also, 57 percent of Democrats approved of having a baby outside of marriage, while 43 percent of Republicans felt the same.
Amazing, but in Bible-Belt states we see more divorces and children born out of wedlock. If these Republicans think this is so wrong, why do they keep repeatedly engaging in such behavior?
9 Comments:
Amen to that, Wayne. Divorce and illegitimate babies are a virtual pastime in such shithole "Bible Belt" states like Oklahoma, Mississippi and Alabama. So are illiteracy, toothlessness, and inbreeding. Hmmm, seems to go hand in hand, don't it?
posted by Anonymous, at
5/26/2006 5:51 PM
Yeah. Even Barna.org shows varying differences between beliefs and behavior. It is a real sham and a real shame. I feel so sorry for children who grow up in these "family" environments when they could be adopted by caring, faithful, concerned gay parents.
posted by Anonymous, at
5/26/2006 7:25 PM
Lets see.... Where is the lowest divorce rate? Why its Massachusetts!!! The only state allowing gay marriage. (http://www.boston.com/news/globe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2004/10/31/walking_the_walk_on_family_values/) But I thought those heathens from Massachusetts were trying to destroy marriage! And the highest divorce rate is Alabama. Also the most "Southern Baptist" state and home of Mr. Family himself, Don Wildmon.
Which religious group has the highest divorce rate? Why its the Southern Baptists! (http://www.divorcereform.org/mel/rbaptisthigh.html)
In fact, the divorce rate in "red" states is 27% higher than "blue states. Good thing they are passing all those laws to protect marriage from gay people.
Seems like if we want to protect marriage, we should restrict the rights of fundamentalists to marry.
posted by Anonymous, at
5/26/2006 8:17 PM
The only 'values' the bush crowd has are avarice, power, corruption and self-interest; and this is what is being reflected in the rest of the country. As with all fundos, their 'values' are nothing but convenient. I work with a young woman who has a girlfriend (early 20s) who got pregnant (out of wedlock) and was FORCED by her father to have an abortion. Guess what the father does in his spare time: yup, he's the president of the township's REPUBLICAN club! Like Randi Rhodes says, these 'family values' politicians are the same ones that are dancing in diapers behind closed doors. GOP stands for Grand Old Perverts or Grab Our Penises. Gary (NJ) ps...dont the bible belters know that their Book forbids divorce?!?!
posted by Anonymous, at
5/27/2006 8:18 AM
I have to say, I find it incredibly depressing that only *53 percent* of Democrats think homosexuality is morally acceptable. This means almost half of those who refer to themselves as Democrats, the so-called liberal half of the American political machine, still think being gay is *immoral*! That's pretty frightening.
posted by Anonymous, at
5/27/2006 10:37 PM
Clearly, it is much easier to stomach "family values" when you only apply them to other people's families, not to your own. High morals are something to be enforced, not practiced.
posted by Anonymous, at
5/29/2006 4:51 PM
I'm sorry but it's time for some major FLAMING.
Who said we are the finest of morality?
Who says we are better than anyone else?
I don't want to bet the farm on either of these paradigms.
We are not the exemplars of virtue. And why would we want to be. I'd like a great fuck that reveled deeply in the 'God given' or 'small 'g' god given' fucking amazement that we all share.
The big problem in the 'Bible Belt' is the lack of accountability for your actions. It's not just that, it's the lack of maturity in dealing with the consequences of our decisions and the lack of maturity in accepting the burden of making those mistakes right. IT'S TOUGH FUCKING WORK.
And let's not shy away from the way we actually speak, either. The majority of Americans swear - at least the less money you make and the greater your financial debt.
Let's make one simple statement now - "I won't put anyone down until I know them well enough to be their friend for life."
When was the last time we thought that way? When was the last time we had a real head rush from pointing out someone's mess up in life?
When was the last time we cried because we recognized the pain of the majority of Americans - fucked up families, tough guy identity keeping 'woosie' emotions stuffed?
Under all these blowhard statements is a horrifying fear of compassion.
I'm tired of the 'all-whine' zone. When are we going to recognize that we are all human?
I'm there. The majority of Americans are there. We've got the power to rise above the things that tear our communities apart. We can teach each other. We can extend a hand and a heart.
I think a big reason why Republicans think morals are getting worse is because their leaders keep using it as a campaign issue: Morals are getting worse so you had better vote for me. So, naturally, those that have that idea hitting them over the head will agree.
posted by Anonymous, at
5/30/2006 11:46 AM
