Opines David Brooks in the NYTimes:
"The decline in family violence is part of a whole web of positive, mutually reinforcing social trends. To put it in old-fashioned terms, America is becoming more virtuous."
THE DECLINE IN VIOLENCE IS CAUSED BY A GENERAL DECLINE OF YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE US POPULATION...and TO YOUNG FOLKS ECONOMIC INABILITY TO "FORM FAMILIES" IN THE FIRST PLACE....BECAUSE OF THE NEW LOW WAGE ECONOMY.
NOT, BECAUSE OF SOME SUDDEN UPSURGE IN BIBLICAL "MORALITY."
There are fewer young people today than in the 1960's and 70's. There was a BIRTH DEARTH in the 70's, remember?
The elimination of the WELFARE STATE MADE IT HARDER FOR YOUNG PEOPLE TO FORM FAMILIES. Especially, considering the simultaneoul decline in MALE WAGES during the same period.
THE ONE REAL "BENEFIT" OF ENDING WELFARE WAS THAT THE YOUNG AND THE POOR BECAME MORE SCARED AND LESS SAUCY...
Welfare was very "liberating" for the poor and the young...it let them be sexually active WITHOUT FEAR...
REMEMBER DURING THE DAYS OF THE WELFARE WONDERLAND THE GOVERNMENT ACTUALLY PAID YOU TO HAVE BABIES!
No more...
NOW THE YOUNG ARE STUCK IN THE LOW WAGE ECONOMY. OFTEN LIVING WITH PARENTS OR DOUBLING AND TRIPLING UP IN APARTMENTS...
AIDS and the poor economy have made the young more circumspect (moral?)
...NOBODY PARTIES TOO HARDY ANYMORE... After all, you have to get up for work in the morning just to pay the rent, if you have to pay rent.
SO, DAVID, CHECK YOUR DEMOGRAPHICS AND LEAVE THE BIBLICAL REVELATIONS TO THE CROOKS IN THE EVANGELICAL GOD SQUAD!!
