Fair-weather theocrats
Has anybody but me noticed that we haven't heard diddly-squat about the gay marriage amendment since the 2004 election? Not, that is, until recently, now that another election is about to roll around. I swear, politicians are so transparent.
See, this is precisely why I can't get all worked up about incipient theocracy, and "The Handmaid's Tale." The truth is, no one wants such a thing to pass, not even the social conservatives. They don't want to lose it as an election issue. And Rovian Republicans aren't slavering theocrats, nor are they Christian Talibani. They are merely disingenuous, crassly cynical politicians -- not that there's anything right with that.
Comments
The air is rancid with all the pandering. I know it happens every election year, but...I think I just have less and less tolerance for it with each passing election. I just don't understand why it continues to work to the extent that it does.
Posted by: K | June 2, 2006 10:26 AM
The "gay marriage" controversy works EVERY YEAr, for the same reason the "soft on crime" charge against Liberals works year after year...some 66% of Americans, when polled oppose gay marrigae, just as an even larger number favor punishment ("lock'em away") over touchy-feely policies that blame "society" for thuggish behavior - "the predator as a victim of society" view is profoundly detested by the vast majority of people.
So it really doesn't matter whether there's "some truth" to the "criminal as victim of society," when vital political points can be scored and elections secured by bashing it.
That's the simple political reality of such things.
Posted by: JMK | June 2, 2006 12:26 PM
They are merely disingenuous, crassly cynical politicians -- not that there's anything right with that.
or anything new about that either (shrugs)
Posted by: Rachel | June 2, 2006 04:38 PM
You spoke too soon, Barry. Bill Frist has decided that gay marriage and flag burning are the biggest issues this year. George W. Bush devoted his entire radio address to gay marriage.
When in doubt, play the Scary Gay Men card, I guess....especially since Scary Mexicans doesn't seem to have bought the Republicans much political capital.
Posted by: Jill | June 4, 2006 05:29 PM
> You spoke too soon, Barry. Bill Frist has decided that gay marriage and flag burning are the biggest issues this year. George W. Bush devoted his entire radio address to gay marriage.
No I didn't. My point was that these are seasonal issues, and will receive tons of attention between now and November, after which they will promptly be forgotten about until the next cycle rolls around.
Posted by: BNJ | June 4, 2006 10:49 PM