Thursday, March 10, 2011

'Culture War' Suddenly Erupts, Says Liberal Media

Yet again, the liberal media demonstrate they've been living under a rock, saying that they just now noticed that Americans want to press the issues of abortion, marriage, and religious liberty.

Hello?! Remember the (Christian) Tea Party movement? For background on what these journalists have missed read Ignore Abortion & Gay Agenda, Says GOP Establishment & Media

Maybe the liberal media noticed the Culture War now because President Obama recently "jumped in bed" with the homosexualists.

-- From "Abortion, Gay Rights Are Back Ahead of 2012 Election" by Kenneth T. Walsh, U.S. News & World Report 3/10/11

The "wedge issues" are coming back, just in time for the 2012 presidential campaign. These are the social questions that have divided Americans for many years, such as gay rights, abortion, and "family values." They had been relatively dormant on a national scale for a long time. But that ended when the Obama administration resurrected the gay-rights debate by announcing that it would no longer support the Defense of Marriage Act . . . Christian conservatives in particular predict that Obama's decision will re-energize anti-gay-rights forces in opposition to the president.

But now the debate over social issues seems to be re-emerging with new intensity, especially within the Republican Party. Some activists on the right have condemned Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels for supporting a "truce" on social issues until the economy can be strengthened. . . .

Obviously, even though they are not of paramount importance to most voters in an era of economic trouble and high unemployment, social issues are still crucial to many Americans. The problem is that wedge issues make people particularly angry, and reviving them would certainly add to our platter of polarization.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

From "Culture wars hit the budget battle" by Jake Sherman & Jonathan Allen, Politico 3/10/11

Despite a plea by national Republican leaders for a truce on politically volatile social issues, conservative lawmakers and activists want to use the budget process to force action on their policy goals.

Social conservatives are clamoring for a showdown with the president on their plans to choke off money for Planned Parenthood . . .

Conservatives are increasingly trying to use “riders” — legislative provisions that are tacked onto spending bills — on spending bills to achieve long-time policy goals.

The stakes are high for all involved. Republicans sense a chance to make major cuts to domestic programs and to cripple bastions of the political left. Democrats want to defend favored programs while also proving to independents that they believe in fiscal restraint. Both sides must show their bases that they can win a political fight. And many conservatives say that they are willing to sacrifice some of their spending cuts if they can win on social policy riders.

To read the entire article above, CLICK HERE.

Also read Presidential Candidates: Abortion & Marriage Top Issues