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.