Another Conservative Family Man

by Dick Mac

So-called "conservatives" and most Republicans like to talk about family values. In fact, the GOP wears the badge of family values as part of its endless campaign of lies, lies, and more lies.

Here is a general description of family values the right-wing pretends to support.

In general, the right-wing refers to the "nuclear family" as a "traditional" family, which is in and of it self completely inaccurate. The nuclear family was a product of post-war America, that is the 1950s, when our government used tax dollars to build the suburbs.

A traditional family hearkens back from WWII to biblical times, and that kind of family is unable to have the rigid guidelines promoted by the right-wing because they are actually working to keep their family fed, clothed, nurtured, educated and in pursuit of happiness. There is no time for ridiculous moral values when a family is actually living as a family.

Conservatives are so enthusiastic about supporting the nuclear family that they refuse food, housing, and medical assistance to the poorest families in order to further their agenda. No tax dollars are spent to assist families in need, because "conservatives" think that is somehow bad.

As a father and husband, I take seriously my responsibility to support and nurture my family. As a progressive, a leftist if you will, I actually follow-through with that commitment without fanfare, court orders, or to further my career. I do it because it is the right thing to do.

Why is it that the people who rant on-and-on about family values, who use the issue to further their careers, and work to condemn those families that don't fit their narrow view, seem to be the people that are least likely to live those values?

The most recent conservative Republican lawmaker to fall just a tad short of the values he pretends to support, a man who gets a "True Blue" rating from the Family Research Council, is Rep. Joe Walsh, of Illinois.

Come to find out, his traditional family, which includes an ex-wife and three children with whom he does not live, is looking for all the child support he has failed to pay. It seems he is about a hundred grand short of his court-ordered payments.

His line of defense is an insistence that he and his ex-wife had a verbal agreement that he didn't have to pay the court-ordered money when he wasn't earning very much.

The congressman's annual salary is $174,000 from the taxpayers, and whatever else he is wringing out of the right-wing machine for speeches, House votes, and other favors. Call me a socialist, if you will, but I think a father could afford some child support on a salary of $174,000 salary.

Even if the alleged verbal agreement with his ex-wife is true, at what point does he consider his salary sufficient to chip-in for support of his kids? If $174,000 isn't enough, is $175,000? Or, is he waiting until he's earning half-a-million to start supporting his kids?

You would think the Family Research Council would be a bit embarrassed about all this since they awarded him a True Blue award earlier this month. Why did they honor him? For his "unwavering support of the family"! Support of the family - just not his own.

It doesn't matter to the FRC, though. The right-wing ignores this little indiscretion by the congressman, because they know he will vote their bidding on financial and economic matters. The whole "family values" line is a parcel of bullshit the right-wing feeds to the stupid as a smoke-screen to hide their dismantling of America's economy.

The FRC announced:

We thank Congressman Walsh who has voted consistently to defend faith, family and freedom. Congressman. Walsh and other "True Blue Members" have voted to repeal Obamacare, de-fund Planned Parenthood, end government funding for abortion within the health care law, uphold the Defense of Marriage Act, and continue support for school choice. I applaud their commitment to uphold the institutions of marriage and family.
Rep. Walsh lauded by group for being pro-family, though accused of owing child support

Walsh proudly accepted the honor. I'm sure he has accepted money from their PAC, too. Probably not enough to support his family, however.



Dead Enz
Kyle G. Brixton