The State Of Our Union

Gary Bauer, Contributing Author:  As the country prepares to celebrate Independence Day, I'd like to take a look at the state of our union as measured through a series of recent polls.

A Rasmussen poll released yesterday found that the public's approval of the Supreme Court has "fallen to the lowest level ever recorded." Only 28% of voters feel the court is doing a good job, while 30% say it is doing a poor job.

That also marked the first time in Rasmussen's polling that more voters gave the court a negative rating. The poll was conducted two days after the court issued its ill-considered opinions on the Defense of Marriage Act and Proposition 8. It seems many voters do not care for the court's left-wing judicial activism.

Americans also do not like the court's perceived hostility toward religion. Last month a Rasmussen poll found that 41% felt that the Supreme Court was "too hostile" toward faith, while just 15% said the court was "too friendly."

Beltway elites routinely reflect the whims of the popular culture. Yet these polls strongly suggest that there is considerable support for conservative values. Unfortunately, all too often our side acts like we are the ones with just 15% support!

These polls also come on the heels of others by Fox News, Pew and CNN finding that large majorities feel that the federal government is out of control and a growing threat to our liberty.

If there is going to be real hope and change in America, the angst and frustration registered in these polls must find an outlet at the ballot box. The liberal justices who voted to redefine marriage will not have to face the voters next year. But many of the senators who voted to confirm them will! Remember that, my friends, when you cast your ballots.

The Best Defense…
A lot of conservatives are demoralized right now. We just lost a big battle and more fights are coming. It's time to pick ourselves up, regroup and attack!

Conservatives need to do a better job of putting the left on defense. As Ramesh Ponnuru points out, Wendy Davis may be the latest liberal hero, but Democrats are treading on thin ice politically when they champion late-term abortions. If this is a fight they want to have, the GOP should welcome it!

Take voter ID as another example. The left reacts vehemently against voter ID laws, labeling them modern reincarnations of Jim Crow bigotry. But minorities overwhelmingly support voter ID laws. In fact, a black Democrat sponsored Rhode Island's voter ID law.

The Supreme Court just struck down Arizona's law requiring individuals to provide proof of citizenship when they register to vote. The court declared that the state could not put additional requirements on the federal "motor-voter" law. Fine. But there is no reason why Congress can't amend it.

With states granting drivers licenses to illegal immigrants, House Republicans should pass an amendment to the "motor-voter" law requiring proof of citizenship when individuals register to vote. Let Senate Democrats filibuster it, and then runs ads that will connect with 70% of the public!
Ramesh Ponnuru points out, Wendy Davis may be the latest liberal hero, but Democrats are treading on thin ice politically when they champion late-term abortions. If this is a fight they want to have, the GOP should welcome it!

Take voter ID as another example. The left reacts vehemently against voter ID laws, labeling them modern reincarnations of Jim Crow bigotry. But minorities overwhelmingly support voter ID laws. In fact, a black Democrat sponsored Rhode Island's voter ID law.

The Supreme Court just struck down Arizona's law requiring individuals to provide proof of citizenship when they register to vote. The court declared that the state could not put additional requirements on the federal "motor-voter" law. Fine. But there is no reason why Congress can't amend it.

With states granting driver's licenses to illegal immigrants, House Republicans should pass an amendment to the "motor-voter" law requiring proof of citizenship when individuals register to vote. Let Senate Democrats filibuster it, and then runs ads that will connect with 70% of the public!
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Gary Bauer is a conservative family values advocate and serves as president of American Values and chairman of the Campaign for Working Families where his articles are also shared.

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