Fraying social fabric hurting nation's economy, Sen. Mike Lee says

[ksfisher]

http://www.ksl.com/?sid=44337366&nid=148&title=fraying-social-fabric-hurting-nations-economy-sen-mike-lee-says

I thought that some of the comments made by Prof Murray regarding the importance of a faith tradition to be particularly interesting.

From the article:

 "I would argue that it is not a matter of ideology but empiricism to conclude that, unless the traditional family and traditional communities of faith make a comeback, the declines in social capital that are already causing so much deterioration in our civic culture will continue and the problems will worsen," he said.

The most common way that the fortunate in society manage to get their priorities straight — or at least not irretrievably screw them up — is by being in a family consisting of married parents and active membership in a faith tradition, Murray said.

With regard to religion, Murray said it's a resource that can lead children and adults to do the right thing even when enticements to do the wrong thing are strong. For active members, church is more than a place to worship once a week. It's s a form of community that socializes children growing up in informal ways, just as a family socializes children, he said.

[ksfisher]

I meant to put this "In the News" but obviously wasn't paying attention.

[Darren10]

One more reason Mike Lee is my favorite US Senator.

[poptart]

This guy is awesome

[Robert F. Smith]

20 hours ago, ksfisher said:

http://www.ksl.com/?sid=44337366&nid=148&title=fraying-social-fabric-hurting-nations-economy-sen-mike-lee-says

I thought that some of the comments made by Prof Murray regarding the importance of a faith tradition to be particularly interesting.

From the article:

 "I would argue that it is not a matter of ideology but empiricism to conclude that, unless the traditional family and traditional communities of faith make a comeback, the declines in social capital that are already causing so much deterioration in our civic culture will continue and the problems will worsen," he said.

The most common way that the fortunate in society manage to get their priorities straight — or at least not irretrievably screw them up — is by being in a family consisting of married parents and active membership in a faith tradition, Murray said.

With regard to religion, Murray said it's a resource that can lead children and adults to do the right thing even when enticements to do the wrong thing are strong. For active members, church is more than a place to worship once a week. It's s a form of community that socializes children growing up in informal ways, just as a family socializes children, he said.

If empiricism is so important to Sen Lee and to the American Enterprise Institute, why don't they take a hard look at successful countries -- where upward mobility based on equal opportunity is readily available, and where the social fabric of society is not fraying, despite the absence of strong religious traditions.  They might also take a look at the way America used to make higher education available to all, not just the wealthy.  In America today, the middle class is disappearing, students are garnering huge college credit card debt, kids in the gang-infested ghettoes have no chance to play sports or even to finish high school, much less to go to college.

Children are successful precisely where we subsidize their education (an investment which pays big dividends) and extracurricular activities.  Without those options, law enforcement has no chance at effective gang suppression, or at stemming the increasing tide of human trafficking and drug abuse.  When the govt thinks it O.K. to allow children to have their minds destroyed by lead in the water, or their I.Q.s impacted by a dangerous pesticide, we will continue a downward spiral into chaos.

[ksfisher]

2 hours ago, Robert F. Smith said:

If empiricism is so important to Sen Lee and to the American Enterprise Institute, why don't they take a hard look at successful countries -- where upward mobility based on equal opportunity is readily available, and where the social fabric of society is not fraying, despite the absence of strong religious traditions.  They might also take a look at the way America used to make higher education available to all, not just the wealthy.  In America today, the middle class is disappearing, students are garnering huge college credit card debt, kids in the gang-infested ghettoes have no chance to play sports or even to finish high school, much less to go to college.

Children are successful precisely where we subsidize their education (an investment which pays big dividends) and extracurricular activities.  Without those options, law enforcement has no chance at effective gang suppression, or at stemming the increasing tide of human trafficking and drug abuse.  When the govt thinks it O.K. to allow children to have their minds destroyed by lead in the water, or their I.Q.s impacted by a dangerous pesticide, we will continue a downward spiral into chaos.

These are certainly contributing factors as well.  There is usually not "just one answer" to any complicated problem.

[thesometimesaint]

We devalue people to just their short term economic value. The black kid in the inner-city of Flint; Michigan is of the same economic value as the white disabled coal mine worker in West Virginia. Mammon has been our God for a long time now.

[california boy]

10 hours ago, Robert F. Smith said:

If empiricism is so important to Sen Lee and to the American Enterprise Institute, why don't they take a hard look at successful countries -- where upward mobility based on equal opportunity is readily available, and where the social fabric of society is not fraying, despite the absence of strong religious traditions.  They might also take a look at the way America used to make higher education available to all, not just the wealthy.  In America today, the middle class is disappearing, students are garnering huge college credit card debt, kids in the gang-infested ghettoes have no chance to play sports or even to finish high school, much less to go to college.

Children are successful precisely where we subsidize their education (an investment which pays big dividends) and extracurricular activities.  Without those options, law enforcement has no chance at effective gang suppression, or at stemming the increasing tide of human trafficking and drug abuse.  When the govt thinks it O.K. to allow children to have their minds destroyed by lead in the water, or their I.Q.s impacted by a dangerous pesticide, we will continue a downward spiral into chaos.

You are absolutely right. I find his conclusions more about his ideology than fact. Is the Bible Belt the most prosperous part of the country?  Are coal miners anti family and anti religion? Have those who have lost manufacturing jobs been against families and religion?

Since San Francisco region is one of the most prosperous and highest job salaries in the country is he saying that the Bay Area is the most religious and value family the most?  Or is it more about being one of the most educated regions of the country.  

This talk has so many holes in its premise you could drive a semi truck through it.  Total nonsense. 

That doesn't mean that strong families and religion is a bad thing.  But it hardly has anything to do with whether a family prospers or falls into poverty. Having children and praying does not assure you of a prosperous future.  There are plenty of strong and religious families that are struggling. And his emphasis on biological children is offensive to all of those families raising adopted children. i find this guy totally offensive on several levels. 

Edited May 24, 2017 by california boy

[thesometimesaint]

Families are those that do the work raising children.