With the 2004 presidential election over, Americans are reflecting on and commenting about what the election really meant. One particular post-election survey showed that many voters found "morals" to be the main issue and political analysts proclaimed progressives dangerously out of touch. Another survey challenges much of the conventional wisdom and points to a new, silent majority of religious moderates, religious progressives, and other non-traditional religious voters who hold similar moderate to progressive views on domestic and national security issues. What values motivate Americans? Citizens from around the country are weighing in on the meaning of "morals" and Election 2004.
Cleveland, Ohio – The Plain Dealer
Interpreting the vote along morality lines – Link Unavailable
November 14, 2004
"I would like to remind our representatives in Washington and Columbus that a moral agenda is more than defending the sanctity of marriage."
"As Hubert Humphrey said in 1977, ‘The moral test of government is how it treats those who are in the dawn of life, children; those who are in the twilight of life, the aged; and those who are in the shadows of life, the sick, the needy and the handicapped.’"
Baltimore, Md. – The Baltimore Sun
Don’t forget about the religious left – Link Unavailable
November 8, 2004
"I am writing to express my chagrin at the usurpation of the phrase ‘moral values’ by the religious right and to remind the politicians and pundits that there is a ‘religious left’ as well. We too have strong moral values."
"We believe that one of the most important gifts of our Creator is free will … and that to impose our choices on others is not only wrong, but a denigration of that gift."
"Nonetheless, I believe it is time for the religious left to step out of the closet and try to be heard above the din of those who would speak for us."
St. Louis, Miss. – The St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Put moral values into practice
November 7, 2004
"Now it is time to put these ‘moral values’ to work. We have 45 million people with no health insurance. We have 35 million people living below the poverty line. Some elderly must choose between food and medicine or heat and medicine."
"Morals and family values mean caring for the vulnerable in our society. If we cannot translate these values into actions, they are just meaningless words."
"I challenge those who hold pro-family, pro-life values to protect all life including the poor, the elderly and children. If you can put your moral values into action, I believe we can be united this country."
Milwaukee, Wis. – The Journal Sentinel
Our ‘mainstream’ is actually quite diverse
November 6, 2004
"…please don’t tell us that the values of half of the people who live in the United States – including the majority of people in Wisconsin and 19 other states – are not part of the ‘mainstream.’ The advancement of this erroneous idea is a misleading and divisive public relations tool, not to mention a great example of ‘fuzzy math.’"
"No one group has a monopoly on moral values – and the ‘mainstream’ in this country is much wider and more diverse than some would have us believe."
"If Bush is truly interested in uniting a nation he helped divide with a bitterly antagonistic presidential campaign, he needs to recognize the values of all American citizens – regardless of age, race, gender, religious orientation or political party affiliation."
Washington, D.c= – The Washington Post
Where Is Charity for Our Troops?
November 29, 2004
"When I discovered that our wounded GIs … needed certain simple things to help make their recovery easier – snap-on pants for use when legs are put in metal "cages," with rods holding the bones in place; zippered hooded sweatshirts; phone cards; postage stamps; carry-on luggage for when they are transferred or discharged – I appealed to friends to help me provide some of these things by Thanksgiving."
"Why can’t our government provide these simple things?"
"If snap-on pants make recovery from smashed legs or amputations easier, why not issue them?"
"If our new Congress and our president got elected on ‘moral values,’ perhaps they need to remember, ‘And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity’" (I Corinthians 13).
Milwaukee, Wis. – The Journal Sentinel
There are two kinds of values – Link Unavailable
November 6, 2004
"Traditionally, Republicans have emphasized personal values, such as chastity, honesty, hard-working habits, etc.; Democrats, on the other hand, have emphasized societal values, such as affordable medical care, adequate salaries for workmen, no transfer of money from the poor to the wealthy, etc."
"Let us hope that President Bush does not forget societal values during the next four years of his tenure."
Seattle, Wash. – The Seattle Post Intelligencer
It’s troubling to learn what drove the election
November 4, 2004
"Many of us, about half of the nation, are disappointed, sad and concerned today."
"What I am surprised about is the reporting about being an election about moral values."
"What moral value represents the attempt to deny gays and lesbians their rights?"
"What moral value represents the fact that millions have lost their health insurance?"
"What moral value represents the destruction of the environment?"
"What moral value represents the denying of civil liberties?"
"What moral value represents infringement of women’s reproductive rights?"