Bush Plans $1.5 Billion Drive for Promotion of Marriage

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/01/14/politics/campaigns/14MARR.html

"Under the president's proposal, federal money could be used for specific activities like advertising campaigns to publicize the value of marriage, instruction in marriage skills and mentoring programs that use married couples as role models."

A noble cause, but why is the federal government getting involved in this? I thought Republicans were supposed to be against big government.

edit and addition --
I just found Tom Tomorrow is commenting on this

http://www.thismodernworld.com/

"I keep thinking I can't be surprised anymore. And yet, this administration's capacity to surprise is apparently infinite. We wake up each morning and really, genuinely don't know what they're going to do next. This never-ending astonishment we experience, it is their gift to us.

Tomorrow, it will turn out that Halliburton is somehow involved in the marriage-promotion business, and we will once again put down the newspaper and turn to our significant others with and say, with voices tinged with amazement, "You're really not going to believe this."

[bif]

1. And where the hell are they going to get the money?

Oh yeah, I forgot--defecits don't matter.

[lovedems]

9. Right! He is also asking for billions for the moon and mars

and he wants to make the tax cuts permanent. We are already in budget deficits that keep growing! This spending is out of control!

BTW, what in the hell is the point of a marriage campaign? This is so damn stupid, I can't believe it.

[Faygo Kid]

15. "Starve the Beast," and this is a bone thrown to the Religious Right

A billion here, a billion there. Pretty soon it adds up to real money. Twofold reasoning: First, placate the Useful Idiots on the Religious Right, who are part of his "base." Second, spend money wildly on bizarre programs, so in a second term he can destroy all social programs except those for the wealthiest one percent ("Starve the Beast") based on no money available. Remember Bill Clinton saying "The era of big government is over?" Idiot (sorry, but true). The era of big government is NOT over, just transferred to benefit the elite. Our country is going to hell, and faster all the time.

[bryant69]

2. Line from the West Wing

"I like how you Republicans want to make Government smaller, just the right size to fit in the Bedroom."

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[Devlzown]

3. I'm sure it will involve more pork for churches.

They'll get grants for having "counselling services" and such for married couples. One local church up the road from me got a grant from that faith-based initiative thingamajig and built them a nice new compound. They're supposed to be building a strip mall right next to it where they will employ many of their church members. I'm not kidding.

[SpaceCatMeetsMars]

14. There is a political aspect to this type of "counseling" in some of the

far-right groups. You can bet the ones that are like Promise-Keepers, and whatever groups there are like that, will counsel the men to be beneficent, but firm heads of their households and to form those hierarchical-type groups of men where they go for counseling to other men.

This fits in right in with the religious right and Republican political organizing machine, and also with the way certain Enron-type corporations are organized for their fund-raising. They are trying to build a huge mass-movement and we know how dangerous it is already, all under the guise of their phony version of Christianity.

[benburch]

4. Except in the bedroom!

Republicans want ALL SORTS of big government in the bedroom!

They want sex to only be;

1. For procreation.
2. Between married people.
3. With the lights out.
4. No fun for the woman.

Except, of course, if you are rich enough and Republican enough you are allowed to have "sex" with a professional dominatrix as a certain "Book of Virtue" type is alleged to have been doing for years...

[SummerGrace]

10. If you're Neil Bush, you know...

people just "show up" at your hotel suite.

[foreigncorrespondent]

5. Why indeed!

but why is the federal government getting involved in this?

The simple answer is, so us queers can't come back with; "What sanctity of marriage?"

They are trying to push forward their amendment to constitutionally discriminate against queers, period!

[Cannikin]

6. I agree... we're being cornered.

I'm sure they'd provide money to 'cure' us.

[David__77]

7. THIS is why we need marriage equality!

Same sex couples must be allowed marriage rights. That would prevent forever this kind of discriminatory program. Domestic partnerships are good things, but fall far short in the longer term. Progressive-minded people need to make marriage equality a principal issue for civil rights. I look forward to this being a tenet of the Democratic Party in the mid-term period ahead.

[yellowcanine]

8. But there is no money for improving housing and childcare

or other stuff that would actually help families. I am wondering how the married couple role models is going to work? Couples are going to get a government check to do married person stuff in front of other couples? Where can I sign up?

[lovedems]

13. Right, I wonder how many people are getting divorced because of

financial strain? How many are on the verge of divorce because of financial strain? Just another stupid policy for the benefit of the religious fundies in "the base".

[w4rma]

11. He CUTS funding for education to redirect it towards a PR CAMPAIGN? (n/t)

[et in Arcadia ego...]

12. my lyrics to: "Government and Marriage..."

Government and marriage, Government and marriage
Go together like a dead horse pulling a carriage
This I tell you brother
You better have one without the other

Government and marriage, Government and marriage
It’s an institute the GOP can disparage
Ask the local gentry
And they will say it’s elementary

Try, try, try to integrate them
It’s an evil solution
Try, try, try, and you will only come
To this conclusion

Government and marriage, Government and marriage
Go together like a dead horse pulling a carriage
Dad was told by mother
You better like HELL have one without the other!

:nuke:

[newyawker99]

19. Hi October Surprise!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[spooky3]

16. This is GREAT news!

I'm hoping they will fund finding me a hubby who looks like a combination of Clark and Edwards and has the values of all the Dems. I'm going to go pick out my china pattern this afternoon.

[SpaceCatMeetsMars]

17. Now you listen here, little lady!

Marriage isn't about you finding some cute guy to have wild sex with using your box full of sex toys that you have hidden in the closet! It's about joyless sex for procreational purposes only and serving your man like a proper Republican Stepford Wife while he plays his part in the glorious Republican revolution.

[spooky3]

18. LOLOLOL!!!!