Sure, it's claptrap political rhetoric, but Paul Ryan calling "traditional marriage" (monogamous, one male and one female) a "universal human value" seems … odd. Given that it's not a human value as the term is usually used, nor is it universal across time and culture. Indeed, what 21st Century America considers "traditional marriage" to entail would probably not meet with approval from most of history (including much of American history).
I'd argue that "entrepreneurship" is not nearly as universal (certainly as currently practiced in the US) as Ryan thinks, and what "family" means — while generally valued and revered by name — is hardly something one can point to as a unitary and universal value, either.
But I'm sure it sounded good to the audience.
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Ryan: Preventing Gay People From Marrying Is A ‘Universal Human’ Value
Paul Ryan reiterated his opposition to marriage equality, during a town hall in Cincinnati, Ohio on Tuesday. “The things you talk about like traditional marriage and family and entrepreneurship. These…
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I don't know if entrepreneurship is a "universal human value," but I think the defining traits that come together in good entrepreneurship tend to be viewed as virtuous. Of course, no two entrepreneurs are alike, which is why it's a bad choice of word.
Otherwise… well it's not the most egregious thing yet I've heard from the ticket, but it's pretty bad.
Oh, no, hardly the most egregious.
And, as you say, there are entrepreneurs and there are entrepreneurs. The Robber Barons were arguably entrepreneurs, as is the guy who's starting up a new business to support his family and provide a service that folks need. Again, it depends on how you define the term.
But it's business-ish, so for Romney/Ryan (or at least their campaign rhetoric), it must be Good. And Universally so.
I just got an email from an entrepeneur in Nigeria who has promised me millions of dollars for helping in his business venture.
I stand corrected, Avo — clearly a universal value.
What the USA in the 21st C. refers to as “traditional” marriage is certainly not what the non-Western world sees as “traditional” today, much less in their own history. What is generally referred to as “traditional” marriage in the Western world has evolved considerably, esp. in the moneyed classes, since this country was founded.
Since I’m preaching to the choir, I won’t enumerate the ways.