[steve-b]

I think the real issue is that Values Voters and Social Conservatives need to understand that government can't give them what they want (and that attempts to get the government to do so are counterproductive).

I'm not optimistic about this -- lobbying the government to pass a law against vice is easier than persuading people to turn away from vice, just as lobbying the government to send you a check is easier than working for a living, and the former is as seductive (and corrupting) as the latter.

[Delacon]

I think the real issue is that Values Voters and Social Conservatives need to understand that government can't give them what they want (and that attempts to get the government to do so are counterproductive).

I'm not optimistic about this -- lobbying the government to pass a law against vice is easier than persuading people to turn away from vice, just as lobbying the government to send you a check is easier than working for a living, and the former is as seductive (and corrupting) as the latter.

Well said. I would have said it I guess less well and have before on FR. That is, social cons have had 8 years of running the coalition under Bush and have mucked it up big time. Its time for them to let fiscal and small government  conservatives run things for a while. We will support their agendas as it fits within a limited government, fiscally responsible framework.