Oh and I know I am on some "slippery slope what if scenario" land, but consider that it is very clear that Bush was reelected based on Christian values. Also consider it being said loudly that he OWES evangelicals now big time. Then look at the fact those voters (as a whole) ignore the economy, the military's involvement in foreign wars, and all the other issues. They care about abortion (against), gay rights (against), evolutionary theory (against), stem cell research (against), and prayer in schools (for). Of these the EASY targets are gays (only 5-10% of population and isolated in urban centers just like Kerry supporters) and faith-based programming in schools (look at all those red states and gay marriage bans in the electoral map).
Abortion is a harder nut because there's less support within the party's moderates and women, but I wouldn't be surprised to see some legislation get floated. Partial birth and late pregnancy abortions might be an easier target to try again. Perhaps removing HMO coverage for abortions or requiring some "pro life education" before any abortions would go. I don't see an amendment happening though at this time (need more than that 51% Bush vote we saw and I'm not sure they'd even have that)
Stem cell research puts the evangelicals in direct opposition with the pharmaceutical corporations, so this is one I have been watching somewhat eagerly. This issue, in my mind, will determine whether the US will be at the forefront of the next big shift in technology. Now it may be that the corporations just do all of this privately; we'll see longterm if that is good or bad for US economy. In principle I agree with this, but in practice I fear that US universities missing out on all these patents will make public education at universities much more expensive, and I also fear it will lead to a brain drain away from US. There's always nanotech to keep them running though I guess.
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