Culture, worldview does make a difference in economic outcomes.

Mitt Romney is being criticized for suggesting that the economic disparity between Israel and the Palestinian state could be ascribed to culture.  A Palestinian leader accused him of racism.

To suggest that culture, which is the aggregate values and beliefs of a society, doesn't impact a nation's economic development is ludicrious. 

The economic success of the West is largely attributable to values and beliefs which flowed out of Christianity and the biblical tradition.  See Rodney Stark's book, "The Victory of Reason".  The belief that there are economic laws of nature which govern economic activity are self evident and common sense.  Ideas have consequences.  Simply look at the US and it's free market system and the former USSR and government run economy.  What's the difference?  Ideas.  Beliefs which work their way out through the culture. (I think the problems facing the US economically are due to faulty ideas making their way into our culture.)

To suggest some countries are underdeveloped because they have cultural problems isn't racist but common sense.

QUIZ: Which is more dangerous, citizen Chicago or a soldier in Afghanistan?

How dangerous is it for an American soldier in Afghanistan or a resident of Chicago in 2012?  Turns out Chicago is more dangerous with widespread gang violence.

Barely six months into 2012, Chicago has already hosted 228 homicides this year; overseas in Afghanistan, the body count for US troops has reached a comparably meager 144. Matched up against other major cities, Chicago’s murder rate exceeds four-times what residents of New York have experienced this year, reports The Daily. What’s worse, however, is that death toll isn’t expected to teeter off anytime soon.

 Easily to see Afghanistan as a dangerous place to be because there's a war going on.  It's reality check when we see what's going on in Chicago.

Here's a post by conservative activist Gary Bauer on defenders of Chick-fil-A CEO Dan Cathy for his defense of marriage.  It's exciting seeing Billy Graham, at 90 plus years of age, an outspoken, public defender of Cathy and Chick-fil-A.

Catholics And Evangelicals Defend Chick-fil-A

The left's assault on Chick-fil-A continues to build.  The mayor of San Francisco yesterday joined Chicago's Rahm Emanuel and Boston's Thomas Menino in denouncing Chick-fil-A. 

Truett Cathy and his sons built this fantastic company from a single restaurant into a $4 billion enterprise.  They have founded foster homes, established scholarship programs and given away tens of millions of dollars, in addition to providing thousands of jobs.  And because of the deep and abiding faith of its founders, the company is coming under assault from intolerant, left-wing, anti-religious bigots.

Chick-fil-A has its defenders too.  Deacon Keith Fournier, editor-in-chief of Catholic Online, has published a column entitled, "A Catholic Hooray for Chick-fil-A," praising the company for its commitment to marriage and biblical values. The Reverend Billy Graham, one of America's most respected religious leaders, also released a statement yesterday in support of Chick-fil-A and the Cathy family.   Below are excerpts of Reverend Graham's statement:

"I want to express my support for my good friends Truett Cathy and his son Dan Cathy, and for their strong stand for the Christian faith. I've known their family for many years and have watched them grow Chick-fil-A into one of the best businesses in America while never compromising their values. …

"Each generation faces different issues and challenges, but our standard must always be measured by God's word. I appreciate the Cathy family's public support for God's definition of marriage.

"I also appreciate Governor Mike Huckabee's leadership and for encouraging Americans to support Chick-fil-A on August 1. As the son of a dairy farmer who milked many a cow, I plan to 'Eat Mor Chikin' and show my support by visiting Chick-fil-A next Wednesday."

I'm proud to stand with Billy Graham, Mike Huckabee and leading pro-family organizations in supporting the Cathy family and the great employees of Chick-fil-A.  Please make every effort to join us at your neighborhood Chick-fil-A restaurant Wednesday, August 1st.

Is President Obama using his daughters to justify his support of Planned Parenthood and abortion? Looks like it.

President Obama came out in favor of funding Planned Parenthood, the nation's largest provider of abortion, and justified his support by wanting his daughters to be able to "control their own health care choices".

Addressing a crowd of over 900 supporters at the Oregon Convention Center, he asserted: "Mr. Romney wants to get rid of funding for Planned Parenthood. I think that's a bad idea. I've got two daughters. I want to control their own health care choices."

Of course "health care choices" in the vernacular of the left includes abortion.

It's mind boggling that the President would take such a cavalier attitude toward the lives of his future grandchild.

It's also sad how the president would use his daughters to support the funding Planned Parenthood and by implication abortion.  Of all the issues where he would reference his daughters. Amazing.

Interesting polling results in Minnesota on voter ID, stadium, marriage amendment, etc.

The Survey USA poll had some interesting results beyond the marriage amendment (up by 15%, 52% to 37%) and the presidential race (Obama up 46% to 40% over Romney).

It shows the photo ID amendment winning 65% to 28%.

Voters opposed to the Vikings stadium deal are more passionate about it than proponents.  If a legislator voted for the amendment, 33% of voters say they are less likely to vote for him while 23% say they are more likely to vote for him.  42% say no difference.

And the biggest issues for state voters are not surprisingly job creation 32% and taxes 27%.  Then comes health care 17% and education 15%.

Takeaways from the polling numbers on the ballot questions?  Opponents won't win on the merits so their only recourse is mislabeling and obscuring what "yes" and "no" votes mean so voter's won't vote on the merits of the questions.