1996 State of the Union Address: Morality and Ethics Quotes
How we cite our quotes: (Paragraph.Sentence)
Quote #1
To the media, I say you should create movies and CD's and television shows you'd want your own children and grandchildren to enjoy. (20.1)
After '90s kids started listening to groups like N.W.A. and watching movies made by filmmakers like Quentin Tarantino, parents were freaking out. Since parents are the ones who generally vote in elections, it was a smart political strategy to attack the media on the basis of morals.
Quote #2
I say to those who make and market cigarettes, every year a million children take up smoking, even though it's against the law. Three hundred thousand of them will have their lives shortened as a result. (24.1-2)
Once again, if you want to convince people to do something using moral and ethical arguments, just bring up children.
Quote #3
I applaud the work of religious groups and others who care for the poor. More than anyone else in our society, they know the true difficulty of the task before us, and they are in a position to help. Every one of us should join them. (27.6-7)
Liberal-leaning commentators often suggest that the government has a moral responsibility to help people in need. Conservatives tend to reply that churches and other religious and community groups are the ones who should be our moral protectors, not elected officials.
Quote #4
Finally, if our working families are going to succeed in the new economy, they must be able to buy health insurance policies that they do not lose when they change jobs or when someone in their family gets sick. (45.1)
Healthcare is one of the most contentious debates in politics. Some people think that it's immoral not to "take care" of the sick, while others think that government-run healthcare would be a much bigger moral (and practical) problem. Sometimes this debate leads to moments like this.
Quote #5
The challenge begins in our homes, with parents talking to their children openly and firmly. It embraces our churches and synagogues, our youth groups and our schools. I challenge Congress not to cut our support for drug-free schools. (57.3-4)
A call to fight the spread of drugs, from the guy who once said "I did not inhale." Clinton is going for the moral double-tap with references to religious groups and an anti-drug stance. Nowadays, many Democrats argue for relaxing drug laws, especially on marijuana. We've come a green mile.