Republicans Are Right

There is a party that’s ‘anti-family and anti-kid’

Outlined by Steve Barasch

Introduction:

• Thesis: Republicans have been attacking Democrats, particularly Kamala Harris, for undermining American families, but the reality is that the Republican Party has been more detrimental to families and children.

Key Criticisms of Republican Hypocrisy:

1. Republican Leadership and Family Values:
   • Donald Trump’s Contradictions:
     • Thrice married, involved with a porn star.
     • Bragged about sexual misconduct.
     • Found by a jury to have committed sexual assault.
   • Republican Preaching vs. Reality: Despite these contradictions, the GOP claims Democrats are the ones betraying family values.
2. Republican Rhetoric:
   • JD Vance’s Claims:
     • Accused Democrats of being “anti-family” and “anti-kid.”
     • Called the rejection of the American family by the left “the most pernicious and evil thing.”
   • Counterpoint: These claims are unfounded and contradicted by the reality in red states.

Statistical Realities Contradicting Republican Claims:

1. Worse Outcomes for Children in Red States:
   • Poverty and Mortality: Children in red states are more likely to be poor, die young, and drop out of high school.
   • Divorce and Single Parenthood: Red states have higher divorce rates and more babies born to unmarried mothers.
2. Democratic Achievements vs. Republican Failures:
   • Child Poverty Reduction:
     • President Biden’s refundable child tax credit cut child poverty by almost half.
     • Republicans dismantled this program, causing child poverty to soar again.
   • Gun Policy:
     • Guns are the leading cause of death for children in America, largely due to Republican opposition to gun safety laws.
   • Health and Welfare Policies:
     • Republicans oppose universal healthcare and Medicaid expansion.
     • U.S. child mortality rates are higher than in countries like Slovenia and Estonia.
3. Project 2025 and Its Threat to Families:
   • Elimination of Head Start: A program crucial for low-income children would be ended.
   • Dismantling of the Department of Education: Would harm educational opportunities for children.

Republican Stance on Reproductive Rights and Fertility Treatments:

1. Contradictions in Reproductive Policy:
   • Trump’s Claims: Stated that his administration would support women’s reproductive rights.
   • Reality:
     • Republican extremism has led to obstacles for in vitro fertilization (IVF).
     • Alabama court ruling and Southern Baptist Convention criticized IVF, complicating access.
2. Legislation on IVF:
   • JD Vance’s Support: For a watered-down bill on IVF protections.
   • Republican Blockade: Republicans blocked stronger legislation, leaving many women without support for fertility treatments.

Acknowledgment of Democratic Shortcomings:

1. Two-Parent Household Privilege:
   • Liberal Oversight: Growing up in a two-parent household is a privilege that is often ignored.
   • Need for Democratic Action: Democrats should do more to remove marriage penalties and support children.
2. Concerns About Marriage Collapse:
   • Statistics: Over 70% of Americans without a high school diploma are unmarried.
   • Poverty Correlation: Single-mother households are five times more likely to live in poverty.

Republican Actions Undermining Families:

1. Union Opposition:
   • Union Membership and Marriage: Men in unions are more likely to marry due to financial stability.
   • Republican Efforts: Have consistently worked to weaken unions.
2. Sex Education and Teen Pregnancy:
   • Republican Suspicion: Republicans often oppose comprehensive sex education and family-planning programs.
   • Impact: Higher rates of teenage pregnancies in red states.
3. Opposition to No-Fault Divorce:
   • Republican Stance: Some Republicans, like Mike Johnson, oppose no-fault divorce.
   • Impact: Before no-fault divorce, many women were trapped in violent marriages.
   • Research Findings: No-fault divorce reduced female suicides, wife-beating, and husband-on-wife murders.

Conclusion:

• Republican Hypocrisy: The GOP’s attacks on Democrats for undermining families are baseless and hypocritical, as Republican policies have been far more damaging to American families and children.
• Call to Accountability: Republicans like Trump and Vance should reflect on their own party’s actions and their negative impact on families, rather than falsely blaming Democrats.

This outline is based on an article by Nichols Kristof first appearing in the New York Times.

Opinion | Republicans Are Right: One Party is ‘Anti-Family and Anti-Kid’ – The New York Times (nytimes.com)

Also See https://directchallenges.com/the-direct-challenges-of-political-and-religious-nostalgia/