Abstract

Let's Not Devalue Ourselves

The article discusses the meaning of values according to the presidential campaign of John Kerry. It says something about the iron grip of the culture wars on our politics that no less a liberal than John Kerry--recently claimed that he represents "conservative values." There may even be a sense in which that's true. "Values" is one of those bland, spongy, good-for-you words that are the verbal equivalent of tofu: It means whatever you want it to mean. As for "conservative," in certain key states that's a synonym for "not a crazy hippie," and by that definition Kerry undoubtedly qualifies. In any case, the reason Kerry's so concerned about values has a lot to do with the unfairness of the Electoral College. The usual Democratic response in the values debate is either to change the -"It's the economy, stupid"--or concede the high ground. Thus, Randall Balmer, professor of religion at Barnard and an evangelical Christian, urged Kerry in a recent piece to stress his personal opposition to abortion and his commitment to making abortion, as Clinton put it, "safe, legal and rare." It is a mistake to give the right a monopoly on values by agreeing with them in a half-baked, yes-but, wishy-washy way. It's not a satisfying answer, either, to change the subject, as when Kerry said that "good-paying jobs" is a Democratic value. People need to hear about those good jobs, but they also need to hear about a social vision that isn't just about their own immediate self-interest.