One of the lessons Dems took away from the 2004 elections is the significance of fighting for party principles while emphasizing our “values.”
It might seem that the far right, which laments what it sees as a breakdown in the importance of values, would be thrilled to hear both parties embrace language that characterizes policies in a value-laden way. There are signs, however, that the right likes to hear about values, but only from one side of the aisle.
James Dobson’s Focus on the Family published an item last week in which it accused Dems of “co-opting” values in some vaguely inappropriate way.
You’ll be hearing a lot about moral values in congressional rhetoric this year, from both sides of the aisle.
To Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., the failed Democratic presidential candidate, health insurance is a values issue. To Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., the Democratic leader of the Senate, old fashioned moral values include education and health care.
Bob Mulholland, a spokesman for the Democratic National Committee, said all of the above issues qualify — and more.
“The most important thing at the national level is the security of this country and the job creation, protecting the environment — and that includes drinking water,” Mulholland said.
So far, so good, right? Groups like Focus argue that “values” should be on everyone’s mind, and Dems seem to agree. They’re casing their political concerns in a values context, just as the religious right encouraged Republicans to do years ago.
Apparently, that’s the problem.
The Family Research Council, a think tank-like offshoot of Dobson’s Focus, seems to believe Dems should just leave values talk to Republicans altogether.
Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council, said he finds the Democratic definition of “values” to be askew, adding that the party is co-opting the term “values” — which he calls “disingenuous.”
Oh, I see. When Republicans talk about tax cuts for millionaires, that’s a values issue championed by sincere lawmakers. When Dems fight for better health care for working families, that shouldn’t be a values issue and is part of a dishonest agenda. Huh?
In fact, the more the complaints went on, the more ridiculous they sounded.
“Are those important policy initiatives? Absolutely,” [Perkins] said. “Do they have an impact upon family? Certainly, but they’re not values that are unique to America.”
This is what the religious right has been reduced to. Dems talking about values — health care, education, clean environment — is disingenuous if the values aren’t “unique to America.” How absurd.
If I didn’t know better, I’d say the right is starting to get a little antsy about the lessons Dems learned in the last election.