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Those of us in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints who are Democrats often have to face stereotypes about all Mormon's being Republican, and to our bewilderment face some Latter-Day Saints who think that the GOP is God's Party. Despite the Republican dominance in Utah state politics many members of the LDS church are supporting the Gore-Lieberman ticket. This page is about why I believe Al Gore and Joseph Lieberman better represent the values of most Latter-Day Saints.
The Issues
Family:Al Gore and Joseph Lieberman are probably the most pro family policy ticket in American history. For the last eight years Al Gore has led the annual "Family Re-Union" policy conference to address different family issues. The conferences have addressed how government policies have affected the family, the role of fathers, families and education, the media's impact on families, health care, and more. Gore made federal policies more family friendly, and helped pass the Family Medical Leave Act which gives parents time from work to care for family needs.
The Gore 2000 official web site has an area about Gore's record and agenda for families, here.
Education: Al Gore has been a leader in improving public education, and increasing access to Higher Education. He supports reducing class sizes, improving standards, treating teachers like professionals, improving technology in the classroom, and he has a great record on making college more affordable.
The Gore campaign's page on Education issues can be found here.
Fiscal Responsibility: Al Gore won't support massive tax cuts that would return us to the years of outrageous deficit spending. Gore is the only candidate who has committed to paying down the national debt every year of his administration. We should avoid excessive debt in our personal lives, and so should the government.
Welfare Reform: Welfare rolls have been cut in half in the last eight years as people move from welfare to work. Al Gore supports welfare reform and believes faith based organizations can have a role in providing social welfare programs in partnership with government.
Media: Al Gore and Joseph Lieberman have led the way in encouraging Hollywood to clean up its act. They have supported new technology like the V-chip for televisions, and Tipper Gore worked to have warning labels put on music albums with inappropriate material. Everyone should have the right to know if something is appropriate for their family before they view it!
The Candidates
Al Gore, the man: Al Gore is well respected as a devoted father with a strong moral character. Faith has been an important part of Al Gore's life, and he even attended divinity school. I believe he has the kind of values and character America needs in a President. He believes government should serve the people, not special interests.
Joseph Lieberman: The selection of Senator Lieberman as Gore's Vice Presidential choice breaks down another barrier in American politics. Lieberman is an Orthodox Jew who holds his faith close to his heart, and refuses to campaign on Saturday in observance of the Sabbath. His selection gives me hope that one day the US will accept another major party nominee who isn't Protestant and observes the sabbath (someone LDS).
You can read a recommendation Joseph Lieberman gave on the back cover of President Gordon B. Hinckley's recent book 'Standing for Something.' Clearly Senator Lieberman understands that moral values have a role in guiding public policy.
Complaints, questions, or encouragement? Write mormons4gore@yahoo.com Let me know why you support Al Gore and Joseph Lieberman! Visit the official Gore campaign website.
Updated 8/29/00. Check back soon to watch the site grow!
Disclaimer: This site in done independently and has no connection with the Gore campaign. So don't go griping to them if you don't like it!
