Social Conservatives Adopt Declaration of American Values

A group of prominent social conservatives meeting in Denver this week adopted a "Declaration of American Values", whose introductory and concluding language use phrases from the Declaration of Independence. Its ten paragraphs focus on the right to life, marriage and family, parental rights, free exercise of religion, opposition to pornography, rights of private property (while acknowledging stewardship of the environment), right to own firearms, checks and balances so that the judiciary does not usurp power, a strong military and a fair tax system. Baptist Press yesterday reported that the attendees agreed to unite behind John McCain's presidential candidacy. Liberty Counsel's Mat Staver said that while McCain would not support all of the group's values, McCain would support more of them than would Barack Obama.