To: Friends and Supporters
From: Gary L. Bauer, Chairman
Campaign for Working Families
Date: Wednesday, February 18, 2004
If I had to identify the one question I am asked most often by average people who care about
family and faith, it would hands down be this: "Why do we always lose?"
It is the right question to ask. After 30 years of political activism on behalf of hearth and
home we are still losing the battle over values and unless we are prepared to start thinking "outside the box," we will continue to lose. The events of the last couple of weeks are a perfect example of what is happening. It is a story that has been repeated time and time again.
In Massachusetts and California, five people (four Massachusetts judges and one California mayor)
are well on their way to changing the definition of marriage in the United States. As repugnant
as I find what they are doing, I am in awe of their boldness on behalf of a bad cause. I can't
help but compare it to the timidity of our own leaders on behalf of a noble cause - the preservation of marriage as the union of only one man and one woman.
The Massachusetts judges have essentially reversed the American Revolution in the very state in
which it started. Substitute four robes for one crown and the effect is the same. They have ordered the elected representatives of the state to recognize same-sex "marriage" - regardless of what
the people may or may not think.
In California we are in the middle of a cultural "twilight zone." Did you know that the "marriage" licenses which the out-of-control San Francisco city government is issuing to thousands of homosexual couples from all over the world had to be altered? Reportedly, the original forms had a space for the couples to sign labeled "husband" and "wife." Whoops! What are "Bill" and "Tom" and
"Mary" and "Sue" to do? So, the "marriage" forms were changed to read "applicant number one" and
"applicant number two." (Need I mention that our children need mothers and fathers - not applicant 1 and applicant 2?) It will only be a matter of time before San Francisco city officials have to add a line for "applicant number three" when the polygamists demand their rights too!
This is a momentous time. The issue at stake is much bigger than whether President Bush was
"AWOL" or whether Senator John Kerry once hung out with Jane Fonda. This is bigger than marginal tax rates or going to Mars. We will suffer but we can survive bad economic policies. What we can't survive is this constant attempt to strip our Judeo-Christian roots out of every nook and cranny of American life. What we won't be able to overcome is the redefinition of America as a place of merely "do your own thing." What we can't survive is political cowardice.
So, what is the reaction of our political leadership in this time of crisis? The Republican
governor of California initially did nothing. Then after being pummeled with demands to take action to stop the blatant violation of California law currently underway, he manages to flex his muscles and comes up with a statement "encouraging San Francisco officials to obey the law." Wow, what a terminator!
Meanwhile, back in Washington, D.C., a leading Republican senator tells me there is very little
stomach on Capitol Hill to pass a constitutional amendment simply stating the obvious - that
marriage is between a man and a woman. The president, in the middle of a tough reelection campaign, was asked again today for the umpteenth time what his reaction was to the most recent efforts to redefine marriage and, once again, he declined to endorse an amendment to the Constitution, but he did let the reporter know, "I am watching very carefully, but I am troubled by what I've seen." With all due respect, the time to be "troubled" has long since past. The time for "watching" is over.
What more do we need to see? Mr. President, we need your strong moral clarity now!
A front page article in today's Washington Times quotes "Republican homosexual rights advocates who speak often with administration officials" as saying that, "reasonable political minds at the White House have decided there's no reason to say anything right now."
Wrong! This silence is deafening. And this is why for 30 years we have been losing. Not because
the polls are against us - they are not. Not because of media bias - there are plenty of
conservative media alternatives. We are losing because the political leaders we have elected have consistently either run scared or have been unwilling to spend their political assets to defend our values in the war over our culture.
The result is that we live in a country where it is against the law for kids to see a copy of the
Ten Commandments on school grounds. Later this summer there is a 50/50 chance the "supremes" will outlaw the Pledge of Allegiance because it includes the words "under God." Prayer of any kind at football games or high school graduations is banned because someone might be offended, but taxpayer subsidized condoms or birth control pills are okay for your 13 year-old kids whether you like it or not. And after 30 years of effort, we remain a country operating under court order that destroys one million innocent babies a year and calls it merely "a choice."
Let me bring this back to the issue that has set off my anger - the destruction of marriage. This
battle can be won and should be won. But we will prevail only if those who will be avidly seeking
our votes in a few months quit stalling and start vigorously defending our values. If they don't, history will judge them accordingly. What do you think?
My friends, I hope I haven't demoralized you, but this is the truth of our situation. Our nation stands at the brink of a cultural crisis and our leaders seem paralyzed by fear. Americans have risen to the task before and we must do so again. The greatest debates have been over moral issues - religious freedom, slavery, civil rights, etc., - and I am hopeful that America's "silent majority" will once against find its voice. And so long as God gives me breath I will do everything possible to defend faith, family and freedom.
Once again, I must ask for your prayers and your financial support. I know there are many people who receive this daily report who have never contributed to our work. I am asking those folks in particular to step up to the plate today - even if it's just a small gift - to let us know you value what we do.
To our loyal supporters, I must ask again for your help. This is the part of my job that I enjoy
the least, but, quite frankly, it is what keeps our doors open and what makes this daily report
possible! The issues dominating the political landscape this year are truly momentous. Success
will demand a Herculean effort and sacrifices will have to be made. Please let me know I can count
on you to stand with us! You can send a check or money order to the address below or to donate by
credit card just visit our website or call our office at (703) 671-8800.
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Campaign for Working Families
2800 Shirlington Road
Suite 605
Arlington, VA 22206
Phone:703-671-8800
Fax: 703-671-8899
Web: www.cwfpac.com |
