| The recent midterm election has certainly passed | | | | I have written previously (Home of the Free? |
| with some interesting results. The Democrats, | | | | about social rights and the welfare of citizens. I do |
| against the odds, took control of both houses of | | | | not believe it to be in the good conscious of our |
| congress. However, the results of many bills have | | | | nation to let moral issues dictate legislation. A |
| come up as a mixed bag of conservative and | | | | nation is not in any way morally bankrupt if it |
| liberal choices by the voters. This almost | | | | makes decisions from a rational utilitarian |
| ambivalent passage of bills may also be backed up | | | | standpoint. And for those who believe that we |
| by the sorts of people who were elected in this | | | | must decide on policy based on Christian doctrine |
| general election. While the Democrats have won | | | | because of our governments basis on those |
| this battle, it was the social conservatives of their | | | | values, you should read the Treaty of Tripoli ( for |
| party that took the day. And if you're wondering | | | | a refresher on the ideas of the Founding Fathers. |
| how one can be both a liberal and a social | | | | It is as we begin to develop our laws alongside |
| conservative at the same time, you may not be | | | | dogma that we lose both sight of the law and the |
| alone. | | | | intent of religious dogma as a personal rather than |
| Six states passed bills to raise the minimum wage, | | | | governmental guide. |
| among them Colorado. Arizona rejected a ban on | | | | We cannot stand apart from the view that we |
| gay marriage while at the same time seven other | | | | believe the governments of Muslim states to be |
| states including Virginia and Wisconsin passed such | | | | against democracy because they follow religious |
| bans by amending the definition of marriage. Once | | | | dictates and then propose that our own laws do |
| again Colorado was in this group, passing the | | | | the same with impunity. A compass that points |
| marriage amendment and failing one that would | | | | south at noon and north at midnight is certainly |
| have given certain civil rights to gay couples. | | | | not a useful tool. In the future this must certainly |
| South Dakota voters rejected a ban on abortions. | | | | be considered if we wish to remain as the |
| And by the end of the day, any question as to | | | | keynote speaker among nations for democracy. |
| the moral standing as an indicator of votes | | | | Will this midterm election make a difference? It |
| remains ambiguous. | | | | has set a tone for the rest of the time the Bush |
| The fact that various fiscally liberal bills passed | | | | administration has left. If you side with or against |
| while while socially liberal bills failed does correlate | | | | the president, there is absolutely no clear guide as |
| with the election results for new representatives. | | | | to how these two final years will go, even if his |
| I personally question the meaning of these results. | | | | party is not the current congressional |
| In my opinion this seems to create a picture of | | | | heavyweight. These will be times in which the |
| America heading toward economically supporting | | | | political battles should be watched very closely, |
| and possibly creating more social programs, but | | | | especially if one wishes to ensure that political |
| only for certain segments of the population. We | | | | infighting and partisan divisions do not create a |
| are willing to spend more money for those people | | | | system in which our democracy becomes an |
| that fit the correct moral mold that we have | | | | untenable contradiction of programs, policies, and |
| created. I find that to be a dangerous position. | | | | terms. |