[CDHart]

All the changes he mentions would be beneficial, but it sounds almost like he would require people to have dinner together, which is not the province of government.

Carolyn

[EagleUSA]

Ha! If this nation is stupid enough to put Hillary in the Oval Office, the fabric of America WILL BE DESIGNED TO CRUMBLE. The Constituion will be taken apart. Freedoms eroded. The value system of America will be GONE, replaced by a socialist/Stalinist one-party control scenario that will destroy and vestige of American values. Any system of values measurement...Christianity and sound judgement of right versus wrong — will be history, as it is with the radical liberal left. One has only to listen to the “leaders” of the Congress, the news media and the opportunistic socialist fools who are the DNC. They know exactly what they are doing, and DESTROYING VALUES is a big part of their agenda.

So this country had better choose wisely. Certainly not Hitlery. And it had better get the left out of control of the Congress as well. Then we have a good chance at restoring true American values that have made this country what it is — the greatest on the face of the planet.

[LowCountryJoe]

Hmm, new nanny-state flavors to try. Good ideas on a personal level but not sure where the idea of liberty fits into all this.

[esarlls3]

• Make marital counseling tax-deductible.

Promoting the value of the family is a good idea. This is best done by example and by using public appearances of the President, his family, other political leaders and cultural role models to promote family values. A Federal Marriage Amendment could be an opportunity to bring about a national discussion of the importance of marriage.

Further complications of the tax code and government subsidy's (which always means money taken away from somebody else)? - That's a bad idea.

• Impose a dress code, or even uniforms, at public schools.

This is a good idea but should be up to the parents to pressure their local school boards to enact such policy's. As long as there are good enforced dress codes, uniforms are not necessary. The President and others can encourage parents to be involved and promote modesty. Again, it's not a place for direct Federal involvement.

• Create a national family dinner-time.

We practice this in our house as often as possible. We talk about our "High's & Low's" of the day. (Sometime's I'll even present a topic from a FR posting for discussion.) The TV is not a distraction for us - it's scheduling around choir, band, cheerleading, scouts, church youth activities, etc.

Once again, an opportunity for the President and others can encourage behavior but not a place for direct Federal involvement. Broadcasters are not going to "go dark" during prime time. (Does anyone watch the "National News" anymore?)

• Create a daily moment of silence in America's public schools.

We have this in our school district. I've been in the classrooms as a parent volunteer in Elementary, Junior High, & High School during the morning anouncements & moment of silence. The moment is silent. There are a few (<10%) kids who take the opportunity to bow their heads in prayer. Most just organize their stuff or look around the room.

Teaching children to pray will not - and should not - happen at school. No "moment of silence" will have any significant impact on the prayer or spiritual practices of children. And the "moment" is too short for a serious prayer anyway. If parents want their children to learn to pray, they should do it at home before they go to school. If children see their parents praying at home, they will learn to value and rely on prayer in their lives.

Again, there is nothing wrong with role models, including the President, promoting good values. It's just not the place for government intrusion.

The decline of family values and religious practices is an important issue in our nation. The author is right to recognize some important changes that people could make in their personal lives that would improve their families, communities, and our nation. The author is wrong, however, in the desire to use the force or incentives of government to change or restrict personal behavior. Let government leaders use their "bully pulpit" to promote values and leave it at that.

[BenLurkin]

To the liberals, divorce is a family value.

[WOSG]

Rule #1: SUPPORT THE SCHIP VETO OF PRESIDENT BUSH.

If you don’t, you are on the side of the Democrat socialists.