A Chit Chat About Family Values With Leonard Pitts

In yesterday's Miami Herald, Leonard Pitts lashes out at the GOP...

So, anybody up for a chat about family values?

The term has been a registered trademark of the GOP -- the self-styled Morals Party -- for years, a bludgeon against Democrats who, by implication, oppose families and have no values. Like most political language, it's a code, intended to be understood by those with ears to hear. ''Family values'' means the pol in question has God on speed dial and can be counted upon to oppose gun control, the so-called ''homosexual agenda'' and abortion, while pushing schools to teach, as Tina Fey once put it, that Adam and Eve rode to church on dinosaurs.

For all its policy implications, though, ''family values'' has always had a larger meaning. It was an implicit promise to white, non-ethnic, rural or suburban-dwelling, church-going Christian moms and dads that the party would -- pun intended -- always do the right thing.

FUNDAMENTAL DECENCY

It was an assurance to Ward and June Cleaver that GOP was the brand name of a certain fundamental decency. Unless, it turns out, Ward and June were foolish enough to let Wally and the Beav sign up as congressional pages. In that case, kiss decency goodbye.....

Check out the entire article HERE.