Progressive Family Values: The Anti- SCHIP-Veto, Toxic Toys, NCLB Package

by: bluethunder

Thu Nov 01, 2007 at 06:51

We all know that Bush and many Republicans have opposed the SCHIP health bill which would have covered millions of children.

We all know the debacle which No Child Left Behind has been.

The intersection of these three issues constitutes a moral imperative for progressives and Democrats, and exposes an incredible weakness in the Republicans: What happened to family values?

Below are my initial thoughts on this 'story' and how it can be used to a) mobilize an understanding of progressive family values b) expose the Republicans as rhetoricians who fail at every turn to provide and protect our families c) enable us to offer a clear progressive alternative as a coherent package.

Granted the Dems are not perfect in all of these issues, but we can show that we are a hell of a lot better than the RepubliCons.

The Value Story
As Republicans have framed it family values are just rhetoric and legal regulation of what occurs in the bedroom. Progressives need to claim this agenda and show that these values they extend into all areas of society, such as school, healthcare, and the economy.

The Feedback-Loop/Strategic Initiative

Trade
This enables us to talk about family values, but also about the importance of safety mechanisms in trade. We must go on the offensive and talk about the Republican view of free trade and the progressive view of fair trade--and that it entails protections on our family as well.

Jobs
All these toys being produced with toxic chemicals in China means they are not being produced safely at home. When we cut the legs off our families whose livelihood is/was manufacturing, we are not only endangering them economically but with the products they buy. Republicans have been at the heart of Job Loss, Union Busting, and Out-Sourcing.

Healthcare
Not only are families losing out to tainted products and lost jobs, their healthcare is not being provided for. Now millions of children are missing out on healthcare they could have had because of the Republican block of SCHIP.

NCLB
It goes without saying that this program has hurt children: it has been underfunded, it has turned students into test-taking drones who as a result are not learning creativity, critical thinking, or proactive thinking. These skills are vital to succeed in today's economy. We must institute a progressive vision for education.

Every Child Left Behind VS.
A True Family Values Package

The intersection of these 3 issues not only enables us to differentiate our view of family values from the Republicans, it allows us to lead on progressive policies.