[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 24 (Wednesday, February 10, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E186]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


COLORADANS CARE ABOUT LIFELONG, SATISFYING MARRIAGES AND HAPPY CHILDREN

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. BOB SCHAFFER

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 10, 1999

  Mr. SCHAFFER. 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 what Coloradans really care about are lifelong, 
satisfying marriages and happy children.
  As Members of Congress returned to Washington for the recent 
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 his apologists.
  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 material goods like fancy houses, 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 houses? 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 marriages and families 
are just by-products of a strong economy.
  After all, 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.

                          ____________________