So yet another Washington moral crusader turns out to have feet of clay.
Sen. John Ensign, who has made a career out of pandering to social conservative elements within the Republican Party, admitted last week to having an affair with an aide.
The same aide, by the way, enjoyed pay raises and promotions during the time of the alleged affair — which may cross the line from tawdry to corrupt.
Ensign was the No. 4 Republican in the Senate, but he gave up his leadership post in the wake of this admission. Regardless of how leadership positions are doled out, you can be sure they will be held by people who are just as determined to tell us how to live our personal lives.
The Nevada senator has been among the Washington meddlers who want to pass a constitutional amendment prohibiting gay marriage. This intrusion into a matter traditionally left to the states is justified by the argument that action must be taken to protect the sanctity of marriage between a man and woman.
Considering Ensign’s current predicament, such statements would be deliciously ironic, if they weren’t so pathetic.
I won’t pass moral judgment on Ensign. That’s up to his wife and family to address. I will, however, pass political judgment. He’s a lying hypocrite who talks one way and acts another.
There’s plenty of that in politics.
The political left is now giggling over Ensign’s plight, while the right seeks to downplay it. In the end, nothing much will change. The same battles will go on.
I have a question. How did America, which supposedly prides itself on the notion of personal liberty — combined with an innate suspicion of those who wield power — come to the point where we expect our politicians to act as moral arbiters?
I mean, should we really expect the crowd in Washington or Harrisburg to be guiding us on such matters? Aren’t they the ones who need guidance from us?
We make a big mistake when we automatically accept as gospel those who bring up religion to rationalize anything they do. True character is best determined by conduct, rather than words.
Yet people continue to be duped by the likes of Ensign. And it’s not just on gay marriage. There are scams of all sorts, liberal and conservative, out there that the politicians routinely foist on the gullible.
But perhaps the worst are those involving the exploitation of religion. Personally, I always find it sad that a concept which is intended to bind humanity together is used to tear it apart.
This abuse of religion is as old as civilization. And it’s why I’m always suspicious of those who seek to foist their religious views on others, or bend over backward to link religion to more mundane matters.
Despite claims to the contrary, America has a long and constructive tradition of separation of church and state. There are matters of governance that have nothing to do with faith. Likewise, matters of faith aren’t the domain of government.
Injecting religion into government typically diminishes both. Watching the politicians proves that time and again.
Columns
Related Photos
Discussion
DEAR READER: Exploiting religion is popular in politics
- Columns
-
-
John K. Manna: Data shows importance of Philadelphia for Democrats
In the view of some political pundits, Pennsylvania is considered a swing state in the upcoming presidential election.
Maybe it is and maybe it isn’t. The Democratic candidate has carried the commonwealth the last five times, including 2000 and 2004 when Republican George W. Bush was elected. -
Mitchel Olszak: Another medical truth falls by the wayside
Everybody knows that if you want to lower your risk of a heart attack, it’s important to raise your HDL level. The term refers to high-density lipoprotein, also known as “good” cholesterol. It’s the opposite of low-density lipoprotein, the “bad” cholesterol that blocks coronary arteries and causes heart attacks.
-
Dave Ramsey: It’s my food and my roof!
“Dave Says" is a weekly column featuring financial advice from nationally syndicated radio host Dave Ramsey. His column is filled with timely, relevant questions and answers taken from actual letters and calls on Ramsey's radio program, “The Dave Ramsey Show.”
-
Mitchel Olszak: Politics of marriage makes lots of money
Excitement raged across the political spectrum last week when President Obama came out in support of gay marriage. I yawned. The news didn’t strike me as particularly dramatic.
-
Mitchel Olszak: GOP dispute is matter for the party, not the law
John Altman is someone I would describe as a good citizen. You may not always agree with him, but he is involved and active in the community in a variety of ways. A frequent candidate for New Castle City Council, Altman has never won elected office, but he keeps trying.
-
John K. Manna: County residents classify themselves in assorted ways
Here’s a fun fact about some Lawrence County residents. It’s a fact that I bet only a handful — a small hand at that — are aware of. And the fact is that 2,141 county residents have no affiliation.
-
Dave Ramsey: Short term or greater good?
“Dave Says" is a weekly column featuring financial advice from nationally syndicated radio host Dave Ramsey. His column is filled with timely, relevant questions and answers taken from actual letters and calls on Ramsey's radio program, “The Dave Ramsey Show.”
-
Mitchel Olszak: Lavish spending reflects badly on government
Boy, those federal employees sure now how to live it up. At least that’s the impression. Recent revelations about a 2010 conference conducted by the General Services Administration have made it a symbol for government excess and arrogance. The conference cost hundreds of thousands of dollars and included such expenses as magicians and commemorative medals.
-
Dave Ramsey: Frustration along the way?
“Dave Says" is a weekly column featuring financial advice from nationally syndicated radio host Dave Ramsey. His column is filled with timely, relevant questions and answers taken from actual letters and calls on Ramsey's radio program, “The Dave Ramsey Show.”
-
Lawrence Corvi: Marcellus Shale — a lot more good than bad
Lawrence and Mercer county business leaders recently learned more about how Marcellus Shale development is impacting our area. Most of the news seemed to be good, but those in attendance were reminded it’s still early in the game for one of the biggest stori
- More Columns Headlines
-
