Jenny Sanford for Senate
by Joseph C. PhillipsThe schadenfreude of the new left over the public unraveling of South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford suggests that when it comes to the issue of public officials and private morality, they are possessing of a particularly twisted logic, to say nothing of a rather short memory. It was not long ago that liberals were passionately arguing that it was only sex and that of course any self-respecting man lies about sex. In full voice they sang the immortal words of Tina Turner, “What’s love got to do with it?”
It was even more recently that San Francisco mayor Gavin Newsom (D) confessed to having an affair with the wife of his campaign manager and good friend. Senator Diane Feinstein’s (D-CA) response? “Look, we all make mistakes.” Sanford’s indiscretion is greeted by the left with derision (and with censure by South Carolina Republicans); Newsom is now running for Governor.
How can this be? Is it an aversion to the idea of any objective moral standard? A different philosophy in the requirements of leadership? One can certainly assign a portion of it to the new liberal maxim- embraced by the mainstream media-that conservatives are evil while liberals are good. Blame the rest on the left’s tendency to confuse principles with men.
A belief in universal moral virtues that transcend race, culture and economic status is a precept of conservatism. For new liberals public advocacy of this ideal is hypocrisy disguised as sanctimony. Therefore, when conservatives fail to clear that moral high bar, to liberal eyes it is not only testimony of the vacancy of the principles it is also confirmation of the ultimate depravity of the conservative mind and evidence of why they can’t be trusted with public office.
Because there is little value in principles, for the new liberal it is much better to set the moral bar as low as possible or better yet do away with it all together; simply proclaim that morality is relative and that what is good and true for you may not be true and good for me. And because progressives are doing the good work of bringing about social justice when they inevitably fail to live up to the rather low moral expectations they set, it is for them simply evidence of their humanity and a private matter not for public consumption.
What they miss is that it is precisely the onward march of progressivism that makes the private failings of public servants very much our business.
There was a time in our history when what we expected from our public servants was that they kept the machinery of government well oiled. Times have changed. Progressive politics ushered in an era of leaders as visionaries. Our leaders now ask us to trust them to use the machinery of government to solve the problems of mankind – to make our lives better. We are asked to follow them as they lead us into the Promised Land. It is precisely this change in the focus of leadership that makes the issue of private morality important. The question is not one of sex so much as it is one of credibility and judgment.
If a man can’t be trusted to guard the faith of his wife and the mother of his children, can he be depended upon to guard the public trust? Appeals to the greater social good ring hollow when made by men that visit disaster on their own families and the families of others.
It is ironic indeed that as we are asked to turn ever growing amounts of control over our personal lives to government, we are simultaneously being asked to dismiss notions of moral accountability as prudish or worse.
Of course none of this will make any sense if you are of the opinion that tradition is “so yesterday.” It will make even less sense if the inability of individual men to live up to certain principles is proof of the worthlessness of the principles as opposed to evidence of the weakness of the men.
Email this to a friend | Print |
Share on Facebook
| Tweet this
| 
Follow Us on Twitter
Subscribe via RSS
Tips & Feedback
41 Comments
No, I do like tradition, so it makes all the sense in the world to me
how difficult is it for these people to keep it zipped up?
After all, there is 24/7 news cycle out there and everyone has enemies trying to dig up dirt. Knowing that, you'd figure someone who has spent years and a small fortune to achieve their position would be able to, ahem, keep their britches on…
Is this too much to ask?
You bring up some good points. In the end, I think ti all boils down to the thing some weird Jewish guy said a few years back: "First remove the log from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye." We always see failings as more severe in those who dislike, because we identify with those we do like. Thus, liberals are going to harp on Conservatives already.
The differnece is that Conservatives *DO* try to "remove the log from their own eye" first; and thus, we do not let our own leaders off the hook as much (there's still some blindness, but nowhere near as much). Liberals typically don't even try for that. The result will be one-sided censures. But Conservatives also tend to accept this, because it's better to die for our ideals than to live enslaved to others'. (Note: this is yet more evidence that Conservatives are the true punk culture.)
"If a man can’t be trusted to guard the faith of his wife and the mother of his children, can he be depended upon to guard the public trust? Appeals to the greater social good ring hollow when made by men that visit disaster on their own families and the families of others."
It has always amazed me that some people will vote a person into public office who they would not trust to date their daughter or to manage their finances.
Your observation that the very nature of progressivism makes character all that more important was right on the money.
Regardless of Democrate or Republican…. keep it under wraps/or keep your zipper up!!! serioulsy people, you make a vow to your spouse when you get married….Gavin Newsome…. what a farce and when Feinstein opens her mouth I want to GAG…..
I commend him for coming clean about this issue, but he has made a mistake and we will move on…. let him get dragged through the mud and see where it takes him…..
The only bad thing, the LEFT media will not allow sleeping dogs to lie…. they will beat this horse until it disappears….
Mrs. Sanford… do what you want to do….
Apparently, it is….and this is nothing new. I remember Gary Hart taunting the media to follow him quarter of a century ago—they did, and we know the rest. But these are people who really think they are above it all—-and they get elected—-sheesh!
They think they are above the fray!!! how true is that… look at any of Obama's cabinet members.. MOST OF THEM NEVER PAID THERE TAXS… until push came to shove then all of them paid up… what a crock….. the bad thing is the get a past almost all of the politicians that is…. I just think that we SHOULD have a REAL CODE OF ETHICS!!!! and a NO COMPROMISE position on it!!! follow the rules or obey the laws and if you do not… you canNOT run for office or ever preside in it!
Remember when whats-his-name (Gov) was exposed as having an affair with a man? All the liberals I knew at the time praised his "great courageousness for coming out" and were furious when I pointed out the fact that his lies and lust publicly destroyed his family. No, in liberal la la land, instead of a sickening, filthy human being, he was "Courageous." Cuz he was a Dem.
Now send a text to a staffer who's no longer working for you and not underage, and well, that R next to your name means you're deserving of the Rack.
Exactly—-what I don't understand is how did it get this way? Current scandals are okay—if you are democrat; but the fact that Sarah Palin (and Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan,if I remember correctly) worked their way through a good, but not elite, college, is something to scoff at.
The "intelligenstia" (sp) who rule the media are just like the people they worship—-all about the right college, the right party, the right zip code…..scary how the more things change, the more they remain the same.
And it's the "working class rubes" who actually accomplish something—if they can survive the media attacks. I once aspired to be a journalist, but I cheer with each lib paper closing, and live for the day the New Media buries the MSM….
Think of all the talented people who don't run for office for fear of what the Machine will do to their family—the media & the dems are the bastard children of the mafia.
I agree, the bad thing is most of us SANE americans do believe we are a good and noble society. The bad thing is the MEDIA MACHINE which is LIBERAL owns all! they have the power to crush a canidate or even a seasoned politician…. the bad thing the GOP and republican voice is getting more muted and we can do nothing about it… or we can!!!! lets get a grass roots coalition to defeat this administration and media……
Jim McGreevey, the governor of my state, New Jersey.
Yeah, the ultra-left loves ya when you're a Democrat. Who cares that he put his incompetent Israeli lover as Homeland Security Adviser?
It's characteristics (sexuality, race, religion) over character, plain and simple.
The Republicans hold themselves to a higher standard because it's the basis of their beliefs.
The strange thing is why people excuse these behaviors? I read somewhere the writer said this relationship was different because it took them by surprise and they didn't intend it to happen. Hello? What are we, 3 year olds? Mark Sanford should never have put himself in that situation in the first place – having a secret friendship with a woman on the verge of divorce. There was full of intent on both parts and they have been brewing it for years – so this lightning strike – it's BS. And to know that she's a woman with religious background and a good education, yet she tantalized a married man with her emails full of sexual contents. Shameful, both of them.
Mark Sanford needs move to a Blue state and change his party, marry this immoral woman and he can still have a future in politics.
"I tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.
Obviously the same can not be said of politics.
If liberalism is a mental disorder then hypocrisy is the primary symptom. Allowing one's political affiliation to rationalize away bad behavior is our own fault.. The days of dipping the pen in company ink are far from over, but like the rampant use of pot in teenagers, it is no excuse to tolerate it.. I don't know myself whether an affair is reasonable cause to remove a politician, statistically 50% of people would be without careers if this were the case, but then, I have nothing to worry about there..
"It is ironic indeed that as we are asked to turn ever growing amounts of control over our personal lives to government, we are simultaneously being asked to dismiss notions of moral accountability as prudish or worse."
It's only ironic to conservatives. Libs seem to happily give up their rights, worship false gods and only see fault in those who resist.
Great article!
It is sickening, Kit. My husband and I think fooling around on the spouse is infidelity to the children, too. And I never read it in the Bible–it may or may not be in there–it doesn't matter to me.
you said it, as usual!
Infidelity is one thing among two adults.. it is another thing when the children get hurt.. which is pitiful!
Hmmm… I saw a cartoon the other day at Townhall.com that pretty much sums up what folks are saying. Lemme see if I can find it…..
Aaaah, yes! Here y'all go:
http://townhall.com/cartoons/cartoonist/MikeShelt...
The Left has been Morally bankrupt for many years now . Starting with America's Royal Family The Kennedy's and Edward Kennedy in particular a man who in a Country with a truly open honest straightforward political scene would still be doing Time in Prison and not in the Senate. When they got elected there were shouts of… The Beginning of New Era… of course the truth was it was the End of an Era. There's always been scandals in both Parties and probably always will be but it seems to me since 1960 to now things have slipped lower, lower, lower still . Most disheartening.
The Left has been Morally bankrupt for many years now . Starting with America's Royal Family The Kennedy's and Edward Kennedy in particular a man who in a Country with a truly open honest straightforward political scene would still be doing Time in Prison and not in the Senate. When The Kennedy's got elected there were shouts of… The Beginning of New Era… of course the truth was it was the End of an Era. There's always been scandals in both Parties and probably always will be but it seems to me since 1960 to now things have slipped lower, lower, lower still . Most disheartening.
MacKinney, great cartoon clip! It is so true, we are judged at a different standard only because we actually have standards. It is better to have morals and fail sometimes than never to have any morals. As for Sanford, I know Mr. Phillips meant well with his article, but frankly, I wish people would shut the #ell up about this! No, I don't think Jenny S. should run for his seat. She has 4 freaking kids and a zillion charities and her own job. Leave her be. No, I don't think Sanford should stay in his position, but he seems to think he is, and unless the people of his state throw him out, then that's that. He cannot run again, so it seems a moot point. Let's let it die gracefully, for a change, shall we?
So True! I have been amazed in recent years by friends who, dissatisfied with their spouse, turn to another….and how it hurts their kids, young or older.
If it's not in the Bible, it should be—off to look!
But first, have to share that while you were posting I was talking to a woman, whom I had never met before, who was telling me about leaving a lying, cheating spouse—and how it was hard, especially since the kids did not understand why…but how the kids, as young adults, are starting to get it.
Never thought I would be an advocate for divorce, but as a mother, I want to be a good example for my children—-and you work with a troubled spouse, but if they won't work with you and continue to hurt the family, then protect your family.
I know what you mean….. it is hard, on the kids…
I've a novel two-part solution to this problem:
1.) Legalize prostitution, under the auspices of the DHS and/or AMA. (technically we could just stop here considering the MASSIVE benefits this simple maneuver would have in the areas of the economy, the job market and the overall public good.)
2.) Ban all married men (or women) from serving in elected office above the rank of State Senator. We already require that elected officials not hold compromising posts in the private sector, what is more compromising (or private, for that matter) than a marriage and/or family? What would you honestly rather have: A married president potentially hampered or distracted by "trouble at home" or a single president operating with the mental focus of a man who has the relative comfort of regular sex (see above if necessary) and a lack of job-superceding emotional commitments?
Great piece…..the article I mean.
Excellent article.
F*ck New Jersey. I am so outta here.
Thank you.
Because he was a Dem, yes, but also because he was "gay." He was courageously following his true nature, you see! Dumping on your wife and family for a man is brave and cool!
Well, I'll bet you that my husband's 'true sexual nature' is to prefer a cute 20 yr old to me, the middle-aged mother of his four kids. And maybe my 'true sexual nature' is to appreciate (!) that buff kid working on my neighbor's landscaping. So what? If either of us followed that 'nature' and acted on it, it would be a disaster for our family and our mutual love.
But I guess the media would give us a pass if we were Democrat politicians.
That is PERFECT! Thanks for sharing it!
Ah yes, I've seen this before. Actually, the Democrat Donkey should be tripping over the ridiculously low bar and screaming "hypocrite" while falling on his face.
That would be more accurate.
Amen! That's called self respect. Certain lines can't be uncrossed.
"1.) Legalize prostitution, under the auspices of the DHS and/or AMA. (technically we could just stop here considering the MASSIVE benefits this simple maneuver would have in the areas of the economy, the job market and the overall public good.) "
You're aware that prostitution is just sex slavery?
So, much for respecting the fairer sex (women).
"2.) Ban all married men (or women) from serving in elected office above the rank of State Senator. We already require that elected officials not hold compromising posts in the private sector, what is more compromising (or private, for that matter) than a marriage and/or family? What would you honestly rather have: A married president potentially hampered or distracted by "trouble at home" or a single president operating with the mental focus of a man who has the relative comfort of regular sex (see above if necessary) and a lack of job-superceding emotional commitments?"
So, are you saying Barack Obama is a bad president because he's a husband and father?
Typically one of two ideas (or both) tip people into sin. The one idea is the old "I won't get caught; nobody will ever know" idea. Often times, it is true – they don't get caught or exposed. The other idea is that "it's not so bad, I mean, after all, I mean well." In other words, the denial of its sinfulness.
Regardless of the news cycle, these two concepts plague all human beings – even those in positions of public trust. We would do well to ignore the "good intentions," but also to have a care as to which sins we seek to "catch."
A Cartoon is worth a 1,000 words.
Limbo anyone?
Thanks, Mike. But no, no, hon – it's the Libtards who like to limbo UNDER the bar of moral standards! Seems that such snake-like contortions are easy for those who can simultaneously praise and condemn behavior depending on who's doing it.
I agree! Especially here in LA LA land.
EXCELLENT AS ALWAYS, MR. PHILLIPS!!!
WHAT A FANTASTIC POINT IN THE NEXT TO LAST PARAGRAPH….
VERY, VERY SPOT ON AND WELL DONE!
I LOOK FORWARD TO THE NEXT ARTICLE AS ALWAYS…
"You're aware that prostitution is just sex slavery?"
Yes, because it's ILLEGAL
Take away the illegality and render it just another business transaction and you remove pimps, sex-slavers and organized crime from the picture-almost entirely (and those that remain will in turn be hunted by a much more focused and less-overworked set of vice officers) and canny professional sex-workers would be among the most economically-independent women in the country. It's the same as drugs: The only reason violent crime is connected is because something both eternal (it's not called the world's oldest profession for nothing) and innevitable has been set against the law by anachronistic morality.
"So, are you saying Barack Obama is a bad president because he's a husband and father?"
No, I'm saying he might be a better one if he were not, given that the fullness of his attention would be more likely directed to his job.
well reasoned and deeply thought. Nicely done…
You must be logged in to post a comment.