Social Issues on Townhall

A Libertarian Turn on Marijuana Legalization, Same-Sex Marriage and Gun Rights Mon Jun 17

Michael Barone
The Power of Being “Offended” in Order to Shut Down Political Debate Mon Apr 22

Rachel Alexander

Has society really become quite thin-skinned, or is acting “offended” a new tactic that is being used to shut down legitimate political debate? Progressives are increasingly claiming to be offended whenever those on the right disagree with their left-wing positions. ... more
A Catholic Pope, Revisited Thu Mar 14

Michael Reagan

By the time you read this, the world’s billion-plus Roman Catholics may have a new pope. And when the black smoke of Tuesday’s indecisive first vote has turned to the white smoke of final decision, don’t be surprised if the cardinals have chosen… a Catholic pope. ... more
Republicans’ Easy Way to Defuse Social Issues Mon Dec 10

Bruce Bialosky

In 1973, the Supreme Court issued one of their worst rulings ever in Roe v. Wade. Largely made from “whole cloth,” the ruling has started a 40-year fight over abortion that unnecessarily has divided this country. If Republican principles were in place on this issue, then there would be a heated discussion; but the core of the fight would be defused and the issue would be handled at the state level where it properly belongs and where other issues should be handled. ... more
Social Conservatives: GOP Can't Live Without Them Tue Nov 27

David Limbaugh

One of the largest elephants in the GOP's post-election room is the fate of Christian and other social conservatives. Party honchos can't just wish this problem away -- or, maybe they can. ... more
4 Reasons The GOP Would Be Foolish To Dump Social Issues Sat Nov 24

John Hawkins

Win, lose or draw, we're always supposedly hitting a tipping point where social issues just no longer work for the Republican Party. At first glance, this would appear to be a rather puzzling sentiment. After all, in 2010, despite the fact that the GOP was just as socially conservative as we were this year, the Republican Party had its best year in half a century. ... more
Where to Adjust, Where to Stand Firm Fri Nov 16

Mark Davis

The proper path for the Republican party lies somewhere between changing our entire agenda and standing steadfastly on everything. ... more
Why the Obama Bubble Still Hasn’t Burst Mon Oct 8

Star Parker

Can there be political bubbles like financial bubbles? Financial bubbles, inflated by hopes and dreams, burst when reality negates any possibility that those hopes and dreams will be realized. At that point, sky high stock or bond or real estate prices come crashing down to earth. ... more
Democrats Give Us the 'New Normal' Mon Sep 10

Robert Knight

Now that we’re past the convention, let’s take a moment to ask, “Are the Democrats really this nuts?” ... more
Campaign 2012 in a Nutshell: Wrong Ideas Vs. No Ideas Fri Sep 7

Jonah Goldberg

Charlotte, N.C. -- Going by the conventional rules of American politics, the Democratic Convention this week was an unmitigated disaster. And, going by the same rules, GOP convention was a disaster, too. So, either the rules of American politics have fundamentally changed, or at least one of the parties is taking an enormous gamble. ... more
Republicans, Torn Apart in Factions? Wed Aug 29

Brent Bozell

The Republican convention was delayed by a day on Monday. It's not a problem: The national media's preconvention spin was timed perfectly, almost as if it was on automatic pilot. In Monday's New York Times, longtime political writer Adam Nagourney regurgitated the same old, tired political spin that the Republican Party is too conservative and exclusionary on "social issues" and that their divisive stands will hurt them with "mainstream" voters. ... more
What's the Matter With Manhattan? Mon May 28

Maggie Gallagher

Back in 2004, Thomas Frank wrote a famous book, 'What's the Matter with Kansas?', in which he lamented working class white people's choices to vote their 'values' rather than what -- in his not-so-humble opinion -- was in their 'genuine' economic interests. Why didn't they identify as liberals and vote Democratic? ... more
Israelis rally over living costs, social issues Sat May 12

AP News
A Generational Shift in Cultural Attitudes Fri May 11

Michael Gerson

Principled or calculating or a bit of both, President Obama's choice on gay marriage is a bet on the political future -- a wager on the views and values of the millennial generation making its long march through American institutions. ... more
The Economy Is a Moral Issue Fri May 11

Suzanne Fields

Rick Santorum endorses Mitt Romney, the man he once described as the "worst Republican in the country to put up against Barack Obama." ... more
Why Voters Should Approve N.C.'s Marriage Amendment Tue May 8

Jordan Lorence

The main reason the people of North Carolina should vote yes for the proposed marriage amendment in that state has everything to do with preventing improper state court activism and nothing to do with unmarried couples, their benefits, or allowing domestic violence to go unpunished. ... more
This Election Is Dog Meat Thu Apr 19

Maggie Gallagher

The Democrats' war on women meme is failing. ... more
The Book of Santorum Sat Apr 14

Bill O'Reilly

Mitt Romney would be wise to take a good hard look at what Rick Santorum did right and what he did wrong during his campaign. In his quest to unseat President Obama, Romney will face some of the same challenges Santorum faced. ... more
We Can't Separate Social Policy From Tax Law Tue Mar 13

Phyllis Schlafly

Contrary to foolish meanderings of politicians, social issues are not only an integral feature of our fiscal policies but also specifically of our tax laws. ... more
Phony Divide Between Fiscal and Social Issues Tue Mar 6

Phyllis Schlafly

Contrary to politicians who want to call a truce about social issues, there is absolutely no way to separate social and fiscal issues; they are locked in a tight political embrace. Politicians who say we can ignore social issues or avoid talking about them, are really saying that they have no plan to cut federal spending and the growing national debt. ... more
Christian Conservatives Guard Religious Liberty Tue Feb 28

David Limbaugh

The First Amendment to the United States Constitution contains two clauses addressing religious liberty: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof." ... more
Those 'Social' Issues Tue Feb 28

Bill Murchison

The "social issues" have popped up in the Republican presidential campaign, courtesy of Rick Santorum, causing Democrats to drool, left-wing pundits to twirl their broadswords in the air and various Republicans to turn green, fearful of alienating key voting blocs. The horror, the horror -- can't the party's candidates just keep their searchlight trained on the economy? ... more
Obama gains with women: Jobs, social issues help Mon Feb 27

AP News
Satan Is Not a Campaign Issue Fri Feb 24

Ben Shapiro

In 2008, Rick Santorum spoke at Ave Maria University in Florida. There, he tackled the crucial issue of moral decline in America and did so in explicitly religious language. "Satan has his sights on the United States of America," he said. "Satan is attacking the great institutions of America, using those great vices of pride, vanity and sensuality as the root to attack all of the strong plants that has so deeply rooted in the American tradition. ... more
Foster Friess' Joke Thu Feb 23

Emmett Tyrrell

There is another horripilation on the campaign trail. Someone has told a joke that has roused the virtue police. ... more