Why do Republicans get to decide what family values are?

[SemiCharmedQuark]

Of course they will look like the party of "family values" if they are the ones that decide what family values are. But as other posters pointed out, things that could EASILY be counted as moral values are left out. Why? Because they are not convenient to the Republicans.

How to we change this? Shouldn't valuing ALL life be a value?

[malmapus]

1. My thoughts

I think they get to "dictate" what it is because they are out there on the AM airwaves spewing it out, and having people who need others to do their thinking for them taking it in.

Everywhere you look, even on MSM lately. Always a Repug of some sorts spewing out what family values is and that they are the party of family values.

Kinda like MM said in F/911, you say a lie often enough and people start to take it for truth.

[leftofthedial]

2. because they are the ruling elite

we are just meat

[ComerPerro]

3. Because they are the rapists, pedophiles, criminals, and serial killers

Therefore, they set the standard. They just make sure to apply it to everyone but themselves.

[johnaries]

4. Because they're the ones who made up the term.

Although every time I asked exactly what "Family Values" are I never could get a straight answer.

"You know..., values...., of the family...., family values!"

[blm]

5. Because they control most broadcast media.

.

[longship]

6. Annointed by god.

These are extremist ideologues. They are never wrong. All opposition is always wrong, evil, and even hate speech.

They are fucking stupid, full of shit, and fucking nuts.

[BOSSHOG]

7. Ponchatoula Louisiana home of Conservative family values

A christian conservative church was closed recently and several members are being held awaiting trial on charges of forcing children to have sex with dogs. (I'm not making this up.)

dittoheads "pray" for limbaughs quick recovery from a drug addiction. More family values.

republican spokesman phelps (the topeka lunatic) protesting at the funerals of Iraq War Veterans. Great values.

The Spokane Mayor.

Conservative criminal members of nixon's administration outraged at Watergates deepthroat.

A porn star donating to george w. bush.

I don't have enough time.....

[TrogL]

8. What ARE "family values"?

(or as they pronounce it "fambly valoos").

Anyone I've ever questioned has gone on a homophobic rant, and when asked "what else" mumbled something about "white picket fences" and shut up.

Incidentally, I've got a white picket fence (it needs painting). Now what?

[XemaSab]

9. Read "moral politics" by lakoff

it explains SO MUCH.

Edit:

To elaborate, Lakoff's central idea is that conservative thought is motivated by a vision of the family as being headed by a "strict father," who it's the duty of other family members to obey and be subordinate to.

"Family values" are the values of the strict father, and the values that uphold that moral system.

Liberal ("nurturant parent") values do not adhere to this model, and therefore are not "family values" as defined by adherents of "strict father" morality.

[samos1016]

10. Repubs and Conservatives have

a twisted view of the world and lately have been able to extend that view across America. Making once nice people into hateful awful people. I have correction had a friend who supported Bush and bought into the hate Repubs spew about Dems. One night after the 2004, a bunch of my friends including my older brother whom she has known for years, were out at a bar having a good time. Politics somehow came up and out of earshot of me she said to my brother that Democrats are immoral and have no values. The next day I found out through my mom that my friend had said these things. My mom almost in tears because she was close to my friend almost a second mother to her, told me that this friend was never allow in her home again and could not image why she would say these things. I knew my friend supported Bush but I never imagined that she would say those things to someone who supported Democrats never the less my own brother. She had turned into such a bitch, evil and mean. This so-called friend of mine was largely influenced by her Ex-boyfriend which recently I found out that they are no longer in contact. I hope with her twisted ex out of the picture she might come back to reality.

As Progressives and Liberals we should never have to defend our values or even worse defend the fact that we have values. We need to take back the hearts and the minds of the American people. It has begun, right here and now. We have the Internet as our tool and Dean as leader of the DNC will be taking to case to the American people in his 50 state strategy. All that we need now is to get our message out in the MSM.

[mondo joe]

11. And why do they come up with the positive sounding crap

no matter how vile it is?

I do think we dems often spend too much timer squabbling with each other rather than launching initiatives that resonate with voters.

[Tactical Progressive]

12. Because they say so.

Simple as that. They are egocentric people who believe they are the goodness in life and that the world revolves around them. Their religion, their values, their ideals.

The fact that they are greedy, bigoted, self-concerned haters means nothing. They won't stop or reason or even think about that. The only given in their existence is that they are the good. Everything else - truth, facts, thought, rationality, ... - is fungible and open to any degree of rationalization necessary.

If you want to fight that you have to push back: progressive values and ethics are the unquestionable good, and the reactionary mindset is nothing but pure corruption. Almost no leftists ever do this. They are always trying to defend, explain, reason with and apologize for the bullshit they are assaulted with, not realizing that the core dysfunction runs deeper than any of that bullshit that it projects. In short, you won't ever change their minds about their self-ascribed goodness, so forget arguing with them. You need to make the case that you are the good and that to whatever extent they disagree with you, they are in fact bad. Not different, not another point of view; bad. See my tag line.

I know, that's so self-righteous and aggressive. Almost like you are one of them and not trying to be your usual reasonable and rational self. Tell me that way has ever worked.