Recent Pro-Family Victories

The results of the November 2 elections in the United States were another big win for pro-family, pro-life and pro-faith forces. Following hard on the heels of the Australian Federal election, this was a major contest, in many ways highlighting the widening gulf between pro-family and pro-values candidates and parties, and those that are not.

Most political commentators and pundits again got it wrong in their predictions and in their assessments of the election results. The US election was not primarily won for the Republicans on issues such as the economy, terrorism or Iraq. What did matter for so many voters who went with the Republicans were the important issues of family, faith and values.

Exit poll surveys found this was the main consideration for those who voted for President Bush. Moral values were more important to them than the domestic economy or international terrorism. Indeed, it is no surprise that Democratic candidate John Kerry, who lost the election by nearly 4 million votes, comes from Massachusetts, one of the most left/liberal of American states, and the first state to legalise same-sex marriage.

American voters clearly said they were against this and other anti-family initiatives. Indeed, eleven states also had referenda on the issue of whether same-sex marriages should be banned. In all eleven states these were passed by huge majorities. Even the leftist state of Oregon saw the referendum raised and passed.

If four years ago George W. Bush just managed to sneak in to the White House, he was carried in by a tidal wave of support this time. Consider some of the facts and figures. President Bush won 51 % of the vote, while Kerry won just 48%. This is the first time in a number of years that a candidate won a majority of the popular vote. Bill Clinton did not manage that in his two election wins.

Also, as noted, the President won nearly 4 million more votes than did Kerry. In fact, no other American presidential candidate has won as many votes as Bush has; over 59 million. This was a significant margin indeed. But it was not just the Presidential vote that was note worthy. In every other arena there were pro-family gains.

For example, the Republican-controlled House of Representatives remains so for the sixth election in a row, and with a few extra seats. The Senate, long a stronghold of the Democrats, remains in Republican hands, now with a 55-seat majority (out of 100). Also, for the first time in 52 years, the sitting Senate minority leader (Democrat Tom Daschle) lost his seat. And the majority of State governors remain Republican.

Perhaps one of the most significant aspects of this election, from a pro-family and pro-life point of view, is the possible changes to the US Supreme Court. The nine member court is now roughly divided into three camps: there are three liberals, three moderates, and three conservatives. Up to three judges may retire in the next 4 years, including 84-year-old liberal Justice John Paul Stevens. President Bush now has the opportunity to appoint new Supreme Court Justices, who are more conservative (especially on pro-life and pro-family issues).

Thus measures like the notorious Roe v Wade decision of 1973, which legalised abortion and struck down the abortion laws in 50 states, may be reviewed and challenged. Other pro-life and pro-family initiatives can also take place, or other anti-family measures may be rolled back.

The importance of culture

While the leftist political parties and their media sympathisers are still scratching their heads, trying to figure out why they have been so resoundingly rejected, the common Australian and American knows why. Voters are concerned about families and they are concerned about values. Parties that represent these concerns will be elected, while parties that do not will be punished at the polling booths.

The record turn out for the US election also saw a rise in both Catholic and Protestant voters coming out and voting on family values. The result was a clear message that Americans do not accept the anti-life, anti-family and anti-faith agenda of the Democrats. As evidence of this, President Bush doubled the number of Black Americans who voted for him. And much of their concern was the issue of same-sex marriage. Having gone through their own struggle for civil rights, they reject the hijacking of civil rights rhetoric by the homosexual lobby.

Victories at home and abroad

This is the third major victory in the past four months: Heterosexual marriage was secured by the Australian Parliament on August 13 after a lot of hard work by pro-family activists. Then a basically pro-family Australian government was returned to power on October 9. Now we have a huge demonstration of the importance of moral and family values in the US election. This is all welcome news indeed.

Of note is the fact that both here and in the US there has been a real rise in concern about the family and moral values, and there has been a rise in the influence of people of faith as well. Pro-family and pro-faith citizens are finally stirring from their slumber and getting involved in the culture wars both in Australia and overseas. And it is starting to pay off.

This is a welcome trend indeed, but we dare not become complacent, cocky or careless. Now we have a real window of opportunity. Faith, life and family values are not assured and will not come automatically. They need to be worked at. But we have now a great chance, both here and in the US, to see what we value be promoted in the public and social arenas.

Family Update, November-December 2004, p. 1