Moral Authority (7/31/07)

Why do those who claim moral authority commit the very sins they pontificate against? Do they lash out at others to cover up their wrongdoings? The latest hypocrisy comes from U. S. Senator David Vitter, a Louisiana Republican.  Vitter’s name was on the client list in the high-profile case of Deborah Jeane Palfrey, known as the D.C. Madam.  A Louisiana madam, Jeanette Mair, also identified him as a client of her high-priced brothel.

Vitter climbed the political ladder by sanctimoniously proclaiming he was a champion of morality.  Vitter first served in the Louisiana state legislature where, according to a veteran Louisiana legislator, “he more or less thought he was the best thing to hit the legislative floor.”  Vitter’s congressional career began in 1999, the year President Clinton was impeached for lying about his sexual escapade.  Many who led the impeachment process were themselves adulterers.  House Judiciary Chairman Henry Hyde claimed to be pro-family, denounced Clinton, and called for his impeachment.  But Hyde’s own affair with a married woman had broken up her family.  During the impeachment process, House Speaker Newt Gingrich was having an affair with one of his staff members, while he was married to wife number two; his paramour later became wife number three.  When Gingrich resigned as speaker, congressman Robert Livingston, a Republican from Louisiana, became speaker-designate.  But he soon resigned, after his adulterous affair was revealed.  Vitter then was appointed to replace Livingston, and Vitter demanded that Clinton resign.

Ironicly, Hillary Clinton was attacked by the morality police because she continued to work on her marriage. Vitter’s wife Wendy told Newhouse News Services then she could not be as forgiving as Hillary.  She said, (quote) “I’m a lot more like Lorena Bobbitt than Hillary.  If he does something like that, I’m walking away with one thing, and it’s not alimony, trust me.”  (end quote)

Senator Vitter has wrapped himself in the cloak of family values. His website spouts his philosophy of making life better for all families and advancing conservative principles.  He has sponsored legislation to mandate government prayer, honor the valuable contributions of Catholic schools, and promote the Marriage Protection Act.  He says (quote), “I’m a conservative who opposes radically redefining marriage, the most important social institution in human history.”  (end quote) Caught in his web of lies and hypocrisy, Vitter said he has asked for and received forgiveness from God and his wife in confession and marriage counseling, and those matters are private. And wife Wendy claims her marriage is stronger now.

We’ve seen a slew of these self-righteous authoritarians who preach one thing but do another. The shoe is now on the other foot. But the rules seem to be different for those who claim moral authority. Whether they’re clergy who abuse children, politicians who fake family values, or corporate executives who cook the books, they all have one thing in common. No matter their sins, they claim they are forgiven. Maybe so; unlike their venom against Clinton, a support rally for Vitter now comes from the religious right-wingers and conservatives. As for me, actions tell me more about character than hollow words.

- Judith Kohler

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