November 2009 Newsletter
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Poll: U.S. Conservatives Outnumber Liberals 2 to 1
About twice as many Americans consider themselves conservative than those who say they are liberal, according to a new Gallup survey.
After 16 separate polls, the group found that about 40 percent in the U.S. say they are conservative, 36 percent are moderate and 20 percent are liberal.
The findings mark the first time conservatives have outnumbered moderates since 2004.
Americans are also leaning more to the right on specific issues.
About 45 percent say there's too much government regulation of business and industry and 53 percent want the government to "promote traditional values."
Gallup said the growing conservatism could have important implications for next year's midterm elections.
The results were based on a sample of 16,321 adults surveyed between Jan. and Sept. 2009.
Texas Woman Sues to Stop City Council Prayer
In Houston, Texas, a legal battle is brewing over the city council's practice of praying before meetings.
Plaintiff Kay Staley has filed a federal lawsuit against the city. She says the long-held tradition of opening the meetings with prayer violates the Constitution.
"Just because it's always been doesn't make it right," she said. "There are lots of people who feel this way. I do. Most people are afraid of their jobs, or their friends."
The suit says that allowing prayers of any faith violates the so-called separation of church and state.
However, one city council member called the lawsuit frivolous. Attorneys for the city say there are legal guidelines for allowing prayers at public events.
"I think they are publicity stunts," Council member Mike Sullivan argued. "I don't think it's a genuine concern. Nobody has come before to do this at the city of Houston that I am aware of."
Senior Assistant Attorney Don Cheatham said, "I think what we need to do is review… and make sure we're in conformity with current law."
It's not the first time Staley has butted heads with the city over a religious monument.
In 2003, Staley sued to have a Bible monument removed from a Harris Country courthouse. Three years later an appeals court ordered the monument removed.
KY Lawyer: 10 Commandments Displays Legal
An attorney for two Kentucky counties says their respective courthouse displays of Ten Commandments are for educational and historical purposes. It's a new argument in a 10-year battle over how the commandments can be legally displayed on government property. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 2005 that religious materials are allowed as long as they are part of a historical or educational display.
The counties' lawyer recently told a panel of the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals the new displays satisfy that requirement.
"They have done everything possible to wipe away the past," said attorney Mathew Staver. "They have indicated their purpose is completely and wholly secular."
However, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) says the counties are still trying to promote religion.
"This was a lawyer telling a client, 'You've got a better chance of winning if you do this,"' said ACLU lawyer David Friedman. "It was a litigation-driven resolution ... We have to look at the rest of the history."
The court has not yet announced when it will make a ruling in the case.
"A government big enough to give you everything you want, is strong enough to take everything you have."
Thomas Jefferson