Culture, social conservatism and Bush's appeal

[Droopy]

I realize that subject line sounds like I'm about to write a twenty page paper for y'all, but I won't take up too much of your time.

For a while now I've wondered just what people see in Bush. He's such an obvious fuck up to us. Why can't more people see that? What's Bush's appeal? Why didn't he go down in flames this election like he should have? I used to think that it was his Uncle Joe Six Pack personality that a lot of people liked. Then I thought that he'd bought a lot of votes with those tax cuts. Tonight I'm thinking that it's his social conservatism. It's probably a bit of all of the above. Lord knows it isn't his handling of the economy. And it sure isn't the war. No WMDs? Who cares? Bush is a good Christian man. Right?

There was a anti-gay marriage proposal on the ballot in my state to amend the state constitution to define marriage as between a man and a woman. It broke my heart when I found out that it was going to be on there because I knew it was going to pass. The nation as a whole has grown much more socially conservative in recent years and I think it is a direct result of Republicans winning the culture war.

I was listening to an interview with some popular modern classical musician. I don't remember his name. It seems like it was Yoyo something or other. The conversation turned to politics and he said that he thought culture was more important than politics. That the impetus for change and progress comes from culture. The more enlightened the culture the more it is likely that they will elect enlightened representatives.

We've got to find a way to get liberal ideas back into the mainstream. Right now if you call yourself a liberal people are likely to think you're some kind of radical. The fact that elected Dems don't call themselves liberals is telling in just how far behind we are in winning over the public. We've let conservatives define "liberal" as something bad. We've got to turn it around and turn the perception of "liberal" and liberal ideas into something positive again. If we don't the country will continue it's slide to the right.

[mutius]

1. conservatives bull shit

bullshit! all most 73% of Americans are liberals they rather live together than get married. but these idiots want traditional family values. Let the asshole amend the constitution were couples can't live together and see what happens. the church wants democracy to save the country so they don't have to be accountable. I'm so sick of these people. c:think: