Pundits who are basically self-appointed experts on political matters, particularly those from the extreme right of the political spectrum, often talk about the so-called 'culture war(s)' going on in this country. The 'culture war' is basically a dispute between the conservative moral viewpoint and the liberal worldview. Such personalities as Bill O'Reilly (who wrote a book I didn't read entitled "Culture Warrior") and former Presidential candidate Pat Buchanon often talk about the 'Culture Wars' between all or nothing strict ultra-conservative Judeo-Christian based morality and the more relaxed Live and Let Live Liberal point of view. Under the conservative 'moral' point of view there would be restrictions or bans on abortion, birth control, contraception and the government would tend to interfere in private 'bedroom' matters. Not only that, but there would be more censorship of movies, television, radio, books, etc. On the other hand, if the Liberal moral viewpoint was winning, there would be little or no restrictions on abortion, birth control and other private bedroom matters. There would also presumably be less censorship of the airwaves by the FCC and others, books, newspapers, etc.
Unfortunately, right now the conservative and the Religious Wrong's all or nothing moral point of view is winning not because they are in the right, but because their small number of advocates (compared to the population as a whole) are more vocal and because those in the opposition do not speak up or do much of anything to counter the influence of the powerful conservative propaganda machine. On the one hand, there are some groups and individuals who are trying to fight against the right: such as and kudos to: MoveOn.com, People For the American Way, the American Civil Liberties Union (the ACLU), Jim Hightower, among others. On the other hand, a majority of us (U.S. citizens) don't care to do anything about the extreme right-wing's onslaught against the right to be left alone. Defunding Planned Parenthood, restricting abortion and contraception for moral or ideological reasons, fining television and radio stations for profanity or other supposed infractions as an excuse for censorship or the stifling of free expression. I understand that some on the right want to censor cable tv just like they now censor the non-cable stations. If the right-wing ultimately wins the so-called 'culture war(s)' it will be because a majority of us, especially those uninformed people who don't care about politics or believe "it doesn't really affect me" don't at least vote or get involved. If the right-wing wins this war, our nation will be less free and less pleasant to live in. (tbc?)
