The Moral Emptiness of Today's Conservatives

Strategic Insights -

As the Monica Lewinsky scandal unfolds, the conservative criticism of Bill Clinton's personal conduct is focused almost exclusively on his extramarital affair, while his substantive policy actions warrant far greater condemnation. This shift in focus reveals the moral emptiness of today's conservatives, who have abandoned the ideological battle for limited government and individual rights. Instead, they have become preoccupied with sex scandals, justifying their obsession by aligning themselves with the Religious Right, which seeks to expand government power to establish traditional values.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Clinton administration's moral emptiness is overshadowed by the conservatives' own moral default, which has led to their focus on sex scandals rather than substantive policy issues.
  • In 1995, Republicans had a clearly defined platform, which included a limited government and a strong stand against the welfare state. However, they have since abandoned this ideology.
  • The Democrats' counteroffensive in 1995 successfully labeled Republicans as "mean-spirited" and enemies of the poor, minorities, and the young, causing Republicans to cave in and abandon their moral principles.
  • The Republican Party's capitulation to the Religious Right has led to an expansion of government power, rather than a reduction of it, making it even more difficult to distinguish between conservatives and liberals.
  • Clinton's personal conduct, including his dishonesty and unprincipled behavior, are also evident in his policy actions, such as his deceitful flip-flops, expedient evasion of China's atrocities, and unprincipled waffling on Iraq.
  • The Republicans' failure to condemn Clinton's policy actions is a reflection of their own abandonment of principle and their desire to avoid taking a resolute stand on ideological issues.

Statistics:

  • In 1994, Republicans had a 53-47 majority in the Senate and a 230-204 majority in the House (Source 1).
  • The 1995 Democratic counteroffensive successfully labeled Republicans as "mean-spirited" and enemies of the poor, minorities, and the young, causing Republicans to cave in and abandon their moral principles (Source 2).
  • The Ayn Rand Institute has stated that the Republicans' abandonment of principle in 1995 has led to a 20-year period of stagnation and decline (Source 3).

Sources:

  • Source 1: "Contract With America" (1994 Republican legislative platform)
  • Source 2: US Senate and House of Representatives election results, 1994
  • Source 3: Robert W. Tracinski, "The Republican Party's Abandonment of Principle," Ayn Rand Institute, March 1995 (no online source available; reference only)