American Values | The Government Should Legislate Morality

In the viewpoint that follows, David A. Pendleton claims that it is essential for the government to intervene in matters of morality. The government has a duty to prohibit behavior that may cause harm to others, he claims. Pendleton is a member of the House of Representatives of the State of Hawaii.

As you read, consider the following questions:

1. What examples does the author provide of laws that “legislate morality”?

2. Why is making moral judgments unavoidable for government, in Pendleton’s opinion?

3. When does behavior not qualify as private,...

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