[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 155 (Saturday, December 19, 1998)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2357]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       WHAT MATTERS TO COLORADANS

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                           HON. BOB SCHAFFER

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, December 18, 1998

  Mr. BOB SCHAFFER of Colorado. Mr. Speaker, for two years, Coloradans 
have been bombarded with opinions suggesting it's not about fidelity, 
commitment, or personal behavior. But now a new survey from the Rocky 
Mountain Family Council shows that what Coloradans really care about 
are lifelong, satisfying marriages and happy children.
  Last Tuesday, as Members of Congress were returning to Washington for 
the impeachment vote, the Rocky Mountain Family Council was unveiling 
the ``Marriage Matters: 1998 Colorado Marriage Health Index.'' The 
results clearly contradict the values demonstrated by the recent 
affairs of our President and Governor.
  President Clinton's exploitation of a clever slogan proved decisive 
in ushering him into office, ``It's the economy stupid!'' Coloradans, 
being common sense, caring people, recognize marriage and family last 
forever. Economic prosperity, however, is often only as secure as the 
next paycheck. Sure, some may find solace in this period of relative 
economic prosperity. Fatter wallets tend to squelch the alarm of 
cultural decay to a certain degree.
  But even the highest heights of consumer confidence cannot achieve 
the kind of moral indifference upon which political left-wingers are 
banking in the face of executive scandal and infidelity. On the 
contrary, Coloradans bristle when politicians betray their marriage 
vows for extramarital affairs, even when downplayed as ``affectionate'' 
or ``hugging'' relationships.
  According to the Family Council, when asked if they could wave a 
magic wand and guarantee certain life goals for themselves, Coloradans 
overwhelmingly chose a lifelong, satisfying marriage and happy children 
over the material goods like fancy homes, comfortable retirements, and 
fulfilling careers. Further underscoring this result is the fact that 
Coloradans were far more willing to give up houses, retirements and 
careers if that would ensure a satisfying, lifelong marriage and happy 
kids.
  The question for political leaders becomes one of how government can 
best help the average citizen achieve these goals. Government should 
take a page from the Hippocratic Oath: ``First, do no harm.''
  Many well-intentioned government programs designed to strengthen 
families achieve just the opposite, by subsidizing parents spending 
time away from their spouses and children. Government policies which 
support marriage and family, like doing away with the marriage tax 
penalty in the tax code, can go a long way toward ensuring Coloradans 
realize their family goals and dreams.
  Working families struggling under a heavy tax burden may be so 
crushed by the weight of supporting lofty government programs they 
can't spend the time with their spouses and children they'd like. 
Economic prosperity, lower taxes, and freedom can support and 
strengthen families and marriages if they enable spouses and parents to 
devote more attention to what really matters.
  Fancy house? Fat retirement accounts? Cushy jobs? These pale in 
comparison to heartfelt desires for happy marriages and children. As we 
enter the twenty-first century, elected officials would do well to 
respond to what Coloradans say is really important to them. Failure to 
do so will only perpetuate the myth that strong marriage and families 
are just by-products of a strong economy.
  No one ever went to his or her grave saying ``I wish I had worked 
longer hours.'' Government can, and should, do all in its power to 
allow families and marriages to grow strong without interference.

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