Moniker's little political rant of the day

[Moniker]

Okay, one thing really pisses me off in politics (well a lot of things do), but one thing that stood out in particular today was the idea of "family values".

It really upsets me that Joe Hillbilly gets off on catch phrases like this because it makes it seem like certain high level politicans are "one of the guys". As if a United States I'm not talking about George Bush in particular, but any politican who uses this idea to get elected. I don't know or care about politicans', my voting tends to lean more towards "do-your-fucking-job-correctly" values.

Seriously, what are "family values"? When I think of "family values" I think of the middle class standard American suburban family from the 50s (Leave it to Beaver!), but any educated person knows that the 50s weren't exactly the most tolerant decade of them all.

I was listening to the national news today (also known as the evil liberal news media) and they were going on about how people are starting to think "American values" and "family values" and "traditional values" were in danger because of rulings like this.

It seems to me that "American values" are only any good when they don't take away -your- rights. So what if 2 homos can shag each other without being labeled criminals, how does that affect me or my family in any way at all? I suppose I do tend to bitch about people telling other people what's best for them. Why should a pig farmer from Oklahoma or a soccer mom from Indiana even care about what homosexuals do on their own time in the privacy of their own home?

Just my little rant. Respond if you feel the need to.

[NVader]

"Family values" almost always applies to repression of sexual discussion or behavior. To me it's synonymous with an anti-gay POV. It's an overused, overrated, and arbitrary catch phrase.

[SithDrummer]

I would say that I'm of the opinion that the world is going around the whirlpool within a flushed toilet bowl, and soon it will be down the pipe. 50 years ago society wasn't as bad as it is today (with racism as the main exception). I know I'm not the only one with an opinion like this, and for many who believe similarly, it's easy to describe the traditions of the era as "family values" and then associate it with the "better times" of that era. I think that's why some people place a high value on the phrase "family values."

Also, as far as I know there were a lot less divorces, abortions, broken homes, and abusive parents (though this could depend on your ideas of "abusive" - see Louie Armstrong's old cartoon Life With Louie) back then, thus bringing me to the opinion that family values back then were held more highly in regard.

Finally, to me family values brings to mind a time when parents actually disciplined their children seriously, with an intent to raise them well. Now it seems like far too many people don't give a damn about their kids and where they're at or what they're doing.

All of this in my opinion, of course.

[Moniker]

and abusive parents (though this could depend on your ideas of "abusive" - see Louie Armstrong's old cartoon Life With Louie) Quick note - I think families were MUCH more abusive back then, its just that you didn't hear about it because it was not only common but expected. Kids got beat, women got beat, the elderly got beat. These days women are more prone to get a divorce in cases of domestic abuse. At least thats just from the accounts I've gotten from various people I've encountered in my life.

[ethEreal]

I disagree Sithdrummer. To everything there's a reaction - all movements are cyclical. You get the 50s, hippies, and then present day where you have ultra-conformity taking place. Corporations have diluted and homogenized our culture. Everyone wants the same shit, Mcdonalds, Coca Cola, and Eminem. Abortions are down, teen pregnancies are down, etc. I think we're undergoing another Conservative movement in America. Conservatives aren't getting shunned like they were in the 60s and 70s. Likewise, I think we'll see a reaction to what we're seeing now. Ultimately, I do think we're becoming less unique. Free-thought should be emphasized and encouraged, in order for us to have a brighter future.

[PwN]

Oh please Sith. The 50's weren't that great, the same stuff happened, just no one talked about it.

Anyway, if you gave this speech about 5-10 year ago, you'd be absolutely correct, BUT:

after looking for five minutes on google (http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/homicide/hmrt.htm)

then this (http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/glance/hmrt.htm)

So? Murder is lower than it was in the 20s, 30s, and 40s.

Violent crime rates sicne the 70's are down. (http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/glance/viort.htm)

So is property crime. (http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/glance/house2.htm)

In fact, property crime is at a 27 year low.

As far as abortions go, I don't know much about abortion technology so I don't even know how possible it was in the 1950's. So yes, abortions would be lower if no one knew about them.

The divorce rate has steadily gone up, but I doubt its because of lack of family values. Although, that doesn't rule it out as a contributing factor.

Finally, to me family values brings to mind a time when parents actually disciplined their children seriously, with an intent to raise them well. Now it seems like far too many people don't give a damn about their kids and where they're at or what they're doing.

Well, if you consider the 50s a time of family values, then why were the 70s so absolutely horrible crime wise and why are the 90's so much better? I guess the middle aged are the only ones who commit crimes?