It's been going on for a long time, and I hardly think it began with Clinton, but I think his administration is when I first became really aware of it.
"It depends on what the meaning of "is", is." -- B. Clinton
"Everyone gets one free grope. It's not a sexual assault if it stops there." -- NOW
And apologies began to take on a definite flavor of: "I'm sorry -- very sorry -- that I got caught."
The powerful people get away with just about everything, and everyone wants to be powerful, so everyone assumes that they will naturally get away with anything too.
>>There are no rules.
There are no standards.
Reality is what you can get away with.<<
I think you’ve nailed it. We are seeing the results of living in a “situational ethics” culture. And when each of us is his own god, it’s easy to rationalize your activity as proper. I hate to admit it, but I am guilty. If there are no cops around, I hardly ever wait for a red left turn arrow to turn green before I turn if there is no traffic. I’m trying to do better.
"Cafeteria citzens" who pick and choose which laws and rules to obey. That started in the 60s with the Lib campus "civil disobedience" organizations that pushed the theory that it was 'okay', or even obligatory, to ignore an 'immoral' law or regulation.
The, "I'm not sorry I did what I did, but I 'apologize' for you being so danged sensitive that it offended you to hear about it," non-apology was popularized by Clinton, and accepted by the media; then adopted by other public figures.