Although, they tend to turn a deaf ear to these causes.
(1) I heard on NPR that the number 1 issue above all others in the majority of states was Moral Decline. (Not that I think Bush is particularly an exemplar of moral stability.) But of those who stated that morality was an issue 80% of them voted for Bush. Thought provoking numbers.
(2) Again from NPR, Kerry's strongest showing was in young people. I forget the age range, but something like 24-29. The NPR commentator's statement was, "But there just weren't enough of them to carry the day." Well, as someone else pointed out (and I wish I could remember the article) these are the consequences of aborting your constituency. If the 1.2 million people who might have been born each of those 5 years were voting, perhaps there would have been enough to make a difference.
I certainly hope the Democratic party begins to wake up. [Before: Republican economic policies simply do not reflect Catholic social justice teachings no matter what they may claim to the contrary.] [Amended: because Ell is right in intent] Republican policies that have been enacted have not evinced any particular interest in a "preferential option for the poor" or support for the underprivileged or disenfranchised. This seems less in tune with Catholic Social Justice than does the RHETORIC of the Democratic party. However, if you do not have a constituency because you have killed all of your children, there can be no social justice at all. As it stands, Life is the ultimate social justice issue and on that alone, the Republican party still holds the upper hand. I don't know what it will take for this to sink in for democrats, but I hope they can learn not to ignore the vast red heartland that cries out for morality and justice in government.
Republican economic policies simply do not reflect Catholic social justice teachings no matter what they may claim to the contrary.
I think that's debatable Steven.
Dear Ell,
Certainly it's debatable. What you have here is an opinion. But as it is my blog, everything here is colored by my opinion.
In point of fact, the execution of the social policies of either of the two parties actually leave a great deal to be desired from the standpoint of Catholic justice. The democrats consistently talk a better story even when the follow-through is lacking.
Frankly, social justice should not be left up to the political parties. Social justice is up to the individual functioning in society to see that equable treatment is afforded to all. Leaving the government to alleviate the problems associated with poverty and moral decline is rather like letting the fox guard the henhouse. To some extent each party bases it success on the fact that there is an underclass that can be appealed to by offering the modern equivalent of bread and circuses.
But we'll leave it at that. My opinion, clearly stated is that democratic policies seem to more thoroughly reflect both the idea of and the intent of Catholic Social justice. Others are entitled to their own--but then, that's why we all have blogs, n'est-ce pas?
shalom,
Steven
It's called "the Roe effect". The best article I've found is at
http://www.opinionjournal.com/best/?id=110004780
since it links to the source data --- a report by The Alan Guttermacher Institute, a Planned Parenthood apologist.