Posted on 07/16/2004 12:33:55 PM PDT by Libertarianize the GOP
Clinton, Martha Stewart double standards and corruption
Maybe someone can explain why it was acceptable for the President of the United States to, while under oath, lie to the courts; while Martha Stewart is sentenced to 10 months for merely making a false statement to a Federal Investigator.
I have little sympathy for Martha Stewart, but Democrats willingness to condone Clinton’s lack of respect for the truth, the rule of law and the judicial branch of our Government was unjustifiable. Corrupt government is a far greater threat to Our Country than the corruption of a few CEO’s, assuming that selling another companies stock after receiving a private tip even amounts to corruption.
Politicians placing their own personal selfish interests ahead of concern for the good of the Country will occur in any form of government; the willingness to tolerate such behavior will undoubtedly lead to an increase in self serving politicians. At some point the people will perceive that their government is being used primarily for the benefit of those who hold power. At that point it will be difficult or if the corruption has become malignant it may be impossible to weed it out. The Roman Republic collapsed when the people no longer saw a reason to support their corrupt politicians and because of the personality cult surrounding Caesar they readily acquiesced to his accession to power.
The fact that Clinton’s job approval rose to its highest level during impeachment would tend to indicate that a large portion of the people are ready to rally to a Caesar, a Mussolini or a Hitler, who ever happens to come along. People who place personality ahead of good government deserve the government that will surely be the result.
But President Clinton was just lying about sex.
That is the same defense a liberal friend of mine offered Wednesday evening. A free society will only function when citizens cooperate and obey their government primarily out of respect for that government. When the President demonstrates a lack of respect for the government that he supposedly serves it can’t help but undermine that essential respect for our government. Allowing a politician to place his own personal desires ahead of consideration for our Country is never acceptable. That is one area where we need a zero tolerance policy. The consequences of condoning such behavior are too great.
Thanks for reading my rant.
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