OK, We'll Talk 'Values', But You Might Not Like It When We Do

Conservatives in the Republican Party and among Republican-leaning Democratic institutions and the media have expressed a desire for Democratic candidates to speak Bible and Values.

Very well. But are you sure you'll like it when we do?

The few of us who have ventured out to suggest that our destruction of Iraq and consequent occupation is immoral have been called traitors, unpatriotic, subversive, and injurious to "the troops".

The few of us who have ventured out to suggest that the President's tax cuts for the rich and Medicaid cuts for the poor are immoral have been told we're trying to foment "class warfare".

The few of us who have ventured out to suggest that the Leave No Credit Card Company Behind Bill (i.e. the Bankruptcy "reform" legislation passed by the Senate last week) unjustly rewarded larcenous credit merchants at the expense of working families were told we were opposed to "personal responsibility".

The few of us who have ventured out to suggest that gay people by nature and our Constitution have the same inalieable rights as the rest of us have been told we're against "the family".

The few of us who have ventured out to suggest that those accused of crimes should have access to competent legal counsel and that death penalty inmates should be granted access to DNA tests where applicable to help ensure against the risk of wrongful executions have been labeled as "soft on crime".

The few of us who have ventured out to suggest that it is immoral to impose religious doctrine and worship demands on people have been told we're violating our heritage as a "Christian nation".

The few of us who have ventured out to support organizations that fight for everyone's civil liberties (even those we don't agree with), like the ACLU, have been told we're against God and Law and Order.

The problem isn't that progressive haven't talked and acted upon values. The problem is, you haven't recognized it when we have. And the problem is your demand for more "values" is self-centered. While claiming you want a society founded on absolute values you have been unwilling to subject your own behaviors to the same standard you want applied to others. That's the ultimate example of moral relativism.

It isn't up for us to come closer to you, it's up to you to come closer to us.