Whirled Views with Dan Burrell

The 2004 election contained a surprise to pollsters and pundits when exit surveys revealed that the number one issue on the minds of voters this year was values. Fully twenty-two percent of voters ranked this as their first concern when entering the polling booth. The first day or two of post-election coverage was largely filled with raw reports of the surge in values voting, the re-emergence of the evangelicals at the voting booth and the consequences of this issue in Bushs second term.

It has been interesting since that point, to watch the liberals, democrats and cable-TV talking heads begin to deconstruct this significant element of Election 2004 in the weeks that have followed. In some ways, it reminds me of watching someone going through the various stages of grief. There was denial as in there was obviously a problem with the exit polling questions. There was depression If the religious right is that powerful in America, Im moving to Canada. There was bargaining Well, Mr. Bush is going to need to reach out and compromise some of those values if he wants to be an effective President. There was anger Those radical, homophobic, fundamentalist, extremists are taking this country to hell in a hand-basket! Im still waiting for the Acceptance phase.

Actually, none of this comes as a real surprise. For liberals to face the truth would require a harsh visit with reality they are, for the moment, losing the culture wars. They got greedy. They began pushing their agenda way too strongly. While they were pushing gay marriage, Whoopi Goldberg values and celebrity worship, American Christians have been quietly teaching, training and organizing to counter their pagan to-do list. Now, all that they can do is either admit that they are out-of-touch with Americas heartland or the can spin, spin, spin. Apparently, they are choosing to spin and quite frankly, that suits me just fine.

Let them think that Christian conservatives arent really concerned about values nor are they committed to involvement in the political process. Let them misinterpret the depth of our frustration and even disgust at Janet Jackson, Gansta Rap, Barbra Streisand, Michael Moore and gay marriage announcements in our community newspapers. Let them hurl exaggerated and ridiculous epithets at us like extremists, Baptist taliban and homophobes. Let them say that the question was flawed and the results were skewed and this was an anomaly and more than likely some sort of conspiracy. As long as they are chasing pink elephants, they wont see the reality that a large part of America religious or not, evangelical or not, heartland or not is really quite fed up with the culturally destructive bent of the leftists that have hijacked the Democratic Party. This will give those of us who checked the values box additional time to entrench, improve our organization and protect our children.

Most political strategists will tell you that it is better to under-estimate during an election cycle than over-estimate. Cultural Conservatives have a tremendous argument in their arsenal as we push for family-friendly policies that respect life, honor God and support marriage. Simply put we deliver the votes and we have a lot of them.

Within a Republican party that has notoriously promised lots and delivered little to Cultural Conservatives, this is both a carrot and a stick. As demonstrated in the Presidential elections of the 1990s, when evangelicals stay at home, Republican candidates lose. So, as is the reality of politics, its time for the Republican majorities in Congress and the Republican President to offer something more than a warm smile and sincere thanks. Lets start seeing some protective legislation. Lets get those conservative judges seated. Lets go to the mat for a constitutional amendment protecting the definition of marriage and the right to life for pre-born citizens.

As for all the voices who wishfully intone that the values-driven voters dont really exist well let them spin themselves into oblivion. They simply dont get it and never will. The culture wars are far from over and now is no time for weakness. The hope of conservative Christians is not found in politics, but we shouldnt ignore the process either. Lets thank God for values-friendly leadership and lets not be afraid to hold them accountable.

I will admit, my role as a pastor, parent and educator provides me with a uniquely multi-faceted perspective when it comes to parenting. As a pastor, I deal with ideals, philosophy and more ethereal components of parenting as I encourage people to follow Biblical principles in rearing their children. As an educator, my focus is on the process which encompasses training, discipline and objectives. As a parent, my life is extremely real as I daily delve into the practical and sometimes most difficult aspect of parenting personal application. I was quite the expert on parenting prior to the arrival of my four children. Now I sometimes pray that Ill survive the experience.

One of the things Im sure of from my experience and point-of-view, parents have a definitive choice that they must make as they navigate the parenting minefield. Are we to be liked today or will we be loved tomorrow.

Lets face it its a good thing that parents are not subject to recall votes or re-election schedules. I know in my case, Id definitely be a one-termer. It frustrates me that it seems that so much of parenting time is spent saying no or not yet or explaining why I wont let my kids camp out on the roof, stay out until late or wear that particular pair of jeans. Their responses can run the gamut from tears to anger and in the process; I often end up feeling like an ogre. I know my kids love me sometimes I wonder if they really like me. Its the parents dilemma.

Ive chosen to parent with the long-term in mind, not the short term. I dont like to be unliked, but Id rather be loved in the long-haul. My parents were often tyrannical in my opinion. There were certain people with whom I couldnt ride in a car. I wasnt allowed to date alone most of my teen-age years. Parties were screened and my parents checked up on me to see if I was where I had told them I would be when I went out with my friends. They werent afraid to tell me no and sometimes they couldnt give me a reason I felt acceptable. It was their call and they were going to make it. As my dad often explained to me, as long as I put my feet under his dinner table, he got to call the shots. End of discussion. I dont think that Oprah would have approved of his parenting technique, but Ill tell you in the end, I love him for it.

For twenty years, Ive got the tears of parents who had just discovered some dark secret about their child. A pregnancy, an abortion, a drinking problem, sneaking out at night, deep-rooted resentment and other issues had emerged and now they had this tremendous sense of betrayal and failure. As I helped them work through their grief and disappointment and tried to help them develop a plan for recovery for their family, I was often struck by the reality that many of these parents had seldom established protective policies and principles for their children. On some occasions, Ive actually had them tell me that they knew they should have been stricter or held their kids more accountable but that they were afraid that it creates a confrontation, that it would hurt their relationship with their kids or would result in conflict. So, they chose a path of less resistance and capitulated. The kids enjoyed freedoms they werent mature enough to appreciate and as a result, ended up in a condition that was damaging, damning or both. Sadly, for many of them the tolerable relationship with their kids for which they had compromised was simply an illusion. In the end, there was no respect, no committed love and no appreciation. They had been liked, but now they werent loved.

Todays culture screams permissiveness, live-for-the-moment, and relativity. But kids need an anchor, a foundation, a moral and philosophical compass and until theirs is completed, mom and dad must provide it for them.

Dont be afraid to tell your kids no. Dont be afraid to be a bad guy today to be a good parent forever. Remember that a little pain today may indeed protect you from a lot of pain tomorrow. Its a choice worth making.

I have often said that if I didn’t write, I’d either periodically burst into flames or I’d simply explode. I don’t sing well, I’m not an exercise enthusiast, I have no real hobbies, so writing is one of my only outlets. That’s why I’ve started this blog…I need a place to post my opinions, thots and internal meanderings. As egotistical and self-absorbed as it may seem (particularly coming from one who now has a website names after him), it is therapeutic for me (and hopefully will be entertaining or at least thought provoking for the reader.)

So, I hope you’ll check in on this page from time to time and see what has me ticked off, thinking and pontificating most recently. For those of you who discovered this blog through my daily radio commentary, “Sound Counsel” — this will be your way to continue hearing my thoughts and opinions in a commentary format. After 4 1/2 years of a daily radio show, the cost was more than I could justify and I discontinued the show on November 26th. Check on my webpage at www.danburrell.com to find regular commentaries which are distributed through my syndicated column, “Whirled Views.”

I’ll be out of touch for a few days as my mother and sisters and their families come to North Carolina for a family Thanksgiving. Come next week, look for fresh postings as I start my blog journey in earnest.