Scandal says something about too many

We're about to find out how analogous the American people are to a dysfunctional family.

Many families have experienced an alcoholic mother, battering father or drug-addicted child whose behavior raises havoc with everyone in the home. The first response to such behavior is often denial that anything is out of order and even blind defense of the miscreant against his or her accusers.

Eventually, however, strong families recognize that something is seriously out of order, confront the person, demand a change in behavior and watch warily, knowing that it's easy to say, "I'm sorry and it won't happen again," but much more difficult to carry out that promise, especially when a pattern of behavior indicates an emotional or mental defect.

With President Clinton's apology Monday night, the American people have been placed in the position of an injured family. Their lives have been turned topsy-turvy for seven months because of the irresponsible, immoral and possibly illegal behavior of the President. Having given him a pass on previous sexual misconduct and lying, they have had their trust violated once more. They could react like a battered wife who is hit once too often, finally becomes fed up with being mistreated, ejects her husband from the home and starts a new life. Or they might accept his apology once again but put him on a short leash, watching closely for signs that he isn't really sincere.

Whichever route they select, they should make sure to look in the mirror to ask how much they are willing to forgive and how often they are willing to be betrayed. Polls show that large numbers of Americans are not bothered by perjury, don't think adultery is damaging, find nothing wicked with a boss having sex with an intern, and bear no ill feelings toward someone who pointed at them and lied in a tone of voice that implied it was they who were doing something wrong.

As low as the President has sunk, we wonder if he has reached the depths of those who have lost their fundamental moral bearings, their basic sense of shame, their innate concepts of truth and fidelity, and a firm understanding that sin has consequences.

Unless Americans are willing to affirm their own moral underpinnings, we can guarantee that they will be betrayed again, if not by Mr. Clinton then by his successors. Like families who are in denial that anything is wrong and who utter the cliche, "Let's put this behind us," they will be victimized again and again until they wake up and realize they don't deserve what they're getting.

(08-20-98)

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