The Moralistic Hypocrisy of the GOP: That Was Then, This is Now

As you consider the reactions of various Republican elected officials to the recent sex scandals involving their own — e.g. Sen. John Ensign (R-Nev.) and Gov. Mark Sanford (R-S.C.) — I think it’s helpful to looks and see what these same Republicans said when Democrats couldn’t keep their pants zipped.

The easiest place to find examples of the moralistic hypocrisy that’s plagued the Republican Party in recent years is the Clinton impeachment matter. Check out the impeachment votes of the  House Judiciary Committee, the full House vote and the two Senate votes as well as the comments made about President Clinton’s behavior.

I particularly think it’s interesting to note that both Ensign and Sanford voted to impeach President Clinton, yet both are insisting that they remain in office following their own sexual indiscretions.

This makes me their political beliefs are inspired by the great political philosopher Micky Dolenz.

(As an aside, why is that our nation’s female pols don’t cheat nearly as much as their male counterparts?)

Health Care Reform: It’s Time

If we can’t pass health care reform now, when can we pass it? I hope that as the Senate marks up legislation this week, this time they won’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good.

Remembering George Mason’s Legacy

George Mason, author of the Virginia Declaration of Rights, the forerunner of the Constitution's Bill of Rights.

Birthdays are important in my family. Our nation’s birthday is no exception. No doubt, today, millions of Americans will think about what Thomas Jefferson considered to be his biggest accomplishment, authoring the Declaration of Independence.

But as we pause to remember the events in Philadelphia 233 years ago, we must not forget the contributions of another less famous Virginian, George Mason. Mason authored the Virginia Declaration of Rights in May of 1776. It was amended by Thomas Ludwell Lee and the Virginia Constitutional Convention in Williamsburg on June 12, 1776.

This part may sound familiar:

That all men are born equally free and independent, and have certain inherent natural Rights… among which are the Enjoyment of Life and Liberty, with the Means of acquiring and possessing Property, and pursueing and obtaining Happiness and Safety.

Jefferson borrowed heavily from the document when he wrote the Declaration of Independence passed in Philadelphia the following month. Mason’s document later became the basis for the Constitution’s Bill of Rights. (Mason, for his part, lobbied against passage of the Constitution as written because it didn’t have a Bill of Rights.)

To be sure, Jefferson admired Mason, calling him the “wisest man of his generation”.

I hope you will take a moment today to remember the gentleman from Fairfax and the groundwork he laid for his friend from Charlottesville.

We owe Mason more than he gets credit for.

If Palin Can, So Can Sanford

What is it with these Republican Governors? Today, Alaska Governor Sarah Palin decided that, we won’t have Palin to kick around anymore. In a bizarre news conference, she announced that she would not be running for re-election as Governor and she will resign in three weeks on July 26 at the Governor’s picnic. (A picnic? How quaint!) GOP Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell will become governor then. There are so many good quotes from Palin today, it’s easier for you to just watch the video yourself. It’s in two parts.