I do not dispute the problem of the Republican Party potentially caving on homosexuality and more broadly on moral values. This is serious and it's been a dangerous trend for some time. We're seeing some of that right here on Free Republic with people arguing, contrary to the purpose of Free Republic, that conservative principles do not include a focus on God and basic morality. I've watched the rise of the “gay Republican” movement now for nearly thirty years and the simple fact of that matter is a significant number of conservative Republicans are closeted or quiet homosexuals who agree with the rest of the Republican agenda on economic issues. My attitude is to take their votes and refuse their offers to help in leadership roles, but lots of Republicans have become accommodated to the idea of homosexuality based on their experiences working with known homosexuals.
However, how many of us remember what the Republican Party was like in the late 1960s, most of the 1970s, and (in many states) well into the 1980s? Can any of us seriously argue that the Republican Party has not moved considerably to the right in accepting support from evangelical Protestants and conservative Roman Catholics?
We also need to consider the source. The New American “is published by American Opinion Publishing, a wholly owned subsidiary of The John Birch Society.” Link here: http://www.thenewamerican.com/about
That doesn't necessarily mean they're wrong, but their perspective needs to be taken into account just as if we were reading something from FOX News, the Wall Street Journal, CNN, or the New York Times.
A very thoughtful post. I think something also to consider is that the population at large is more tolerant homosexuals. But the population at large is growing less tolerant of abortion. Look at surveys of young people on that subject and one will see a solid pro-life majority. Look at the bills in the various state legislature further restricting abortion. See the somewhat frightened quotes from Naral et. al. on the subject.
I think our elected representatives largely (!) cater to what the public wants. Right now, 30 years of propaganda is taking its toll and people don’t care about homosex. IMO, it will take another 30 years to reap those fruits and then the tide will turn.
I wouldn’t be surprised if gay marriage is the defining issue in why Romney is being pushed on us by the elites. Drudge and Coulter are certainly pushing him because they are “in bed” with the gay agenda, figuratively and or literally. Another untold part of the tale might be big money coming in to fund the party from “Log Cabin” types. Romney’s economic record in government is as liberal as it gets for a Republican (tax hikes, welfare expansion, cap-and-trade), so it’s not like they’re pushing a fiscal libertarian on us and just willing to “tolerate” his liberal social views. It’s more like they desperately want to push the gay agenda and are willing to tolerate Romney’s liberal economic record.