A few weeks ago, I saw an exchange between Jon Stewart (The Daily Show) and Bill O'Reilly about what are the "traditional American values". As you may be be aware, I tend to favor the progressive side of the conversation.
The point from BO'R was that America is a faithful and moral society, where Bible inspired morality, family and capitalism as an expression of self-reliancew are the norm. The funny thing about this view is that it has never been real.
It seems the image many people have in their head s is a consequence of the 1950's propaganda efforts that the American government initiated to "sell" America in the third world. Part of a global image campaign (remember the Cold War?). This image was sold in part via TV shows, which extended well beyond the original effort and went all the way into the Reagan era (80's). A world where a perfect family with deep christian values, where the American Dream always delivered came to us via the magic screen. Think sitcoms.
On the other hand, JS made the point that the real "American Value" was that of being a progressive society. A society where through time individual freedom, equality, anti-slavery, desegregation, women's rights, etc. were always being adopted into the society. Therefore Gay Marriage is the next step into this progression (which I support).
Interesting to see that many of those progressions were not adopted or driven by the society at large (the masses, as in the culturally challenged majority), they were driven by fringe groups and through the judicial system, at least on the beginning.
So it turns out, that it is the "activist judges", derided by the Conservative movement, are the ones who keep this country aligned or true with its core values.
