I really had planned on writing about something else tonight, but Lott just makes far too big a target. Witness the last paragraph of this story. Racists have always used the phrase "states' rights" to defend their beliefs. Ban on partial-birth abortions? That's a state's right. But same-sex marriage? Oh no, gotta have the federal "Defense of Marriage Act". Right to bear arms? State's rights. Funding for stem cell research? Oh no - those are little babies in all those test tubes. School vouchers? The government can't tell us where to send our kids! But by the way, not only our kids but everyone else's have to be "protected" from everything I find offensive. (Anyone remember the Communications Decency Act?)
Of course, all these arguments can probably be turned around to support the conservative viewpoint as well. The Republican idea (small federal government with very few regulations) sometimes seems like a good idea, but then I realize that that would mean that, just due to a mere "accident of birth", i.e. where in the US you grow up, could determine your health status, what you learn in school about US history, etc. There are some things (like taking care of the poor) that we should all share responsibility for.
I sometimes forget how big a mess 4 years can make. After all, we're at the half-way point of this farce - only 50% more to go. But then I'm slapped in the face with things like the "faith-based initiatives". I don't have anything against religion, as long as it keeps people from harming others, and all the better if it teaches people self-esteem without belittling others. And I'm not saying that religious charities don't help people. But as far as I know, there's no provisions for any percentage of the federal funding being set aside for secular programs. And I don't know about anyone else, but if I was poor and needed some help, I doubt I'd turn to The Metropolitan Council on Jewish Poverty. Not because I'm anti-Semitic, but because I would feel like either (a) I would not be welcome, or (2) I would be too welcomed, i.e. preached to. If those are the only choices people have, it means fewer people getting the help they need, rather than more. Think about that.
9:44:51 PM 
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