Gop Isn’t Meddling, Just Making Repairs Pro-Reform: Antidote Needed For Liberals’ Tinkering With Values

Liberals spent the last 30 years using the power of government to mold society. Now it’s the Republicans’ turn.

Those of us who realize pendulums can swing too far consider a change in direction healthy.

The regulations liberals imposed, on the business sector and on local governments, could use a rollback.

The other thrust of the liberal era - corrosion of the family - also requires a course correction.

That’s why Republicans in the Washington state Legislature are reconsidering permissive laws concerning marriage, divorce, abortion, juvenile justice and welfare.

Critics say it’s inconsistent for conservatives to invoke the intrusive power of the state. But the Republicans are engaged in activism, not conservatism. Their goal is to replace the discredited legislative enactments of ‘60s liberalism.

For example: Liberal lawmakers made it easy to get a divorce. Gave juveniles a right to run away from home, without interference from parents or police. Substituted condoms for virtue and made abortion a right, to the point of letting teens keep abortions secret from parents. Made it possible for kids to have kids, run away from home and live on welfare. Now, some die-hards want to polish off the job on troubled youngsters by letting gay couples become foster or adoptive parents.

Look around: The do-your-own-thing mentality has been a societal disaster, especially for children.

Republican reformers surely recognize, being critics of biggovernment liberalism, that laws and rules often fail or do unexpected harm. Much of the change needed today hinges on individual choice, not governmental clout. However, just as poor legislation contributed to our society’s decay, reform legislation can contribute to the difficult processes of repair.

The new reformers might make mistakes. So did liberalism; its mistakes cause us to walk the thug-infested streets in fear.

So, should the state require a round of counseling before it grants a marriage license or a divorce? Should it strengthen the rights of parents? Should it stop serving as an enabler for children who have children?

These proposed reforms aren’t “scary” uses of government power. They’re an attempt to change the role of law, from social corrosive to catalyst for social stabilization.

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