Not too early is it? 2008 Presidential fun

[innerSpaceman]

Yes, perhaps Bush Junior did not sign (m)any laws in that regard (or the even more pertinent and imperial Signing Statements), but he did succeed in prohibiting federal funding of viable stem cell research, and he's campaigned while in office against gay marriage rights and women's reproductive rights. And I think he should, if he can't stomach rights for Americans, stay out of it.

As is often the case around here, Alex said it best:

Originally Posted by Alex Stroup

In my view, a president, when in such a situation has only one reasonable option: punt it to congress.

"Because of my religious and moral views I can not endorse federal funding of that nature. However, this is an issue still very much up for debate and reasonable people can disagree. Therefore, I ask Congress to tackle this issue and try to find the will of the people. While I personally stand on one side of this issue, I will accept their answer for that is their role."

Originally Posted by Alex Stroup

To the extent that our government forces religious morality on the population of our country, that is the role of Congress (where it can be debated, minority voices can be more prominently heard, and the sentiment of constituencies are more directly felt) and not the president.

But no, Bush works actively to deny rights to gay AMERICANS, to deny rights to female AMERICANS and to dampen treatment potential for seriously ill AMERICANS.

In the above cases, granting those rights and treatments would harm fetal AMERICANS (re abortion), zygote AMERICANS (re stem cells), and absolutely no AMERICANS (re gay marriage).

So if a man is President of the Unted States and his moral convictions come down on the side against Americans (but purportedly for his jealous hate-filled God) .... yes, he should stay the fvck out of it, and leave the matters to the deliberations of Congress.

[Alex]

Originally Posted by innerSpaceman

So if a man is President of the Unted States and his moral convictions come down on the side against Americans (but purportedly for his jealous hate-filled God) .... yes, he should stay the fvck out of it, and leave the matters to the deliberations of Congress.

Just to clarify, I'm not saying he should stay out of it. If he has a position, he is certainly free to campaign in support of his views. And as president his voice will have immense impact on the debate.

I'm saying he shouldn't impose his views on such matters but rather allow congress to make the ultimate decision.

[Not Afraid]

I think I have a crush on Alex.

[BarTopDancer]

Things that are having a hard[er] time in this country because of the the President's beliefs:

Stem cell research
A Woman's right to choose
Equal rights for gays

[wendybeth]

There's also that pesky messianic complex he has.

[sleepyjeff]

Originally Posted by BarTopDancer

Things that are having a hard[er] time in this country because of the the President's beliefs:

Stem cell research
A Woman's right to choose
Equal rights for gays

This may be true...but if he didn't believe the way he does would he have been elected President to begin with....wouldn't those who put him in office have voted for someone else who had those beliefs?

Kind of a chicken/egg question I suppose.

[wendybeth]

Originally Posted by sleepyjeff

This may be true...but if he didn't believe the way he does would he have been elected President to begin with....wouldn't those who put him in office have voted for someone else who had those beliefs?

Kind of a chicken/egg question I suppose.

I notice you kept my observation out of that equation.

[sleepyjeff]

Originally Posted by wendybeth

I notice you kept my observation out of that equation.

Still trying to wrap my brain around it

[wendybeth]

Originally Posted by sleepyjeff

Still trying to wrap my brain around it

Welcome to my world.

[scaeagles]

Originally Posted by BarTopDancer

Things that are having a hard[er] time in this country because of the the President's beliefs:

Stem cell research
A Woman's right to choose
Equal rights for gays

????
What has Bush done to stop stem cell research? No other President had provided federal funds for it. It hasn't been outlawed. Private companies can do whatever.

What specifically has been done on abortion? Any new laws? I suppose you could point to Supreme Court appointees, but nothing has changed at all (yet, if ever).

Equal rights for gays? Are you speaking of same sex marriage? What has he done? If anything, his failed attempt at a marriage amendment only strengthened the position of same sex marriage, and it was his predecessor who passed the defense of marriage act.

There are plenty of things that Bush hasn't done well. I am puzzled as to why those are things you've listed uless you are just reciting the party line.