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Edited on Thu Jun-15-06 03:08 PM by iconoclastNYC
DU Member StopThePendulum said in another thread:
"Transnational corporations and those who run them coupled with Republican' class-warfare tax "reforms" are greatly responsible for the deterioration of the American family.
Mandatory overtime is now the name of the game: Nights, Weekends, Holidays, work from home too, and don't forget your Blackberry!
Americans are forced to work longer and longer hours for less and less money. Wages for the average working American has been stagnant since 1976. Meanwhile prices continue to go up. A growing number of working Americans will never achieve the modest goals of the american dream: healtcare coverage for the family, home ownership, college education for the children, and retirement security.
Long hours and low wages force both parents to work. This causes excessive fatigue and lack of time for home and family. Every dollar spent is an opportunity for a nasty spat about money or who's working hardest to food on the table. Less time with the children causes stress , arguments over the kids, fights over money, etc., which finally causes nasty divorces."
I don't know anyone who got divorced because the two men down the street got official recognition of thier spirtual commitment (a marriage liscense) from the State.
However I do know many people who get divorced because of money. Or because they grew apart on account of all the long hours at the office or whatnot.
It's time the Democrats take back everything the Republicans have won with in the past.
First step: taking back the notion of "Family values"
Republican family values seem to be : hatred of gays, chauvism, patriarchy, censorship, and invasive state power in matters related to sexuality.
Democratic family values allow us to acknowledge the real threat to marriage, and families is that our "any-thing" goes exploitive economy is increasing putting undue stress on marriages.
We really need to start framing the economic issues in terms of how they affect American families. Case studies would be very helpful. Maybe even a reality TV show. "Class" Swap.
A new Democratic Congress could open a dialogue about this subject, and make attempts to correct it.
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