Editor,
Conservative Republicans, alongside our prestigious Rep. Heather Wilson, pride themselves on their superior moral qualities. In fact, it is foundational to their entire approach to government. This explains the zeal with which they pursued Bill Clinton's affair with Monica Lewinsky, leading to the former's impeachment. This occurred amidst a storm of moral castigation, not just of Clinton, but of Democrats as a party and of all liberal philosophy.
How interesting, yet predictable, that the same party - and same individuals, in some cases - who prosecuted Clinton with such fanatical umbrage would shelter Rep. Mark Foley, a Florida Republican, for what amounts to an even more egregious offense. To a conservative Christian, inappropriate conduct with underage boys should be more monstrous than infidelity.
The fact that the GOP leadership, along with Wilson, sheltered Foley establishes hypocrisy as more foundational than morality in the functioning of the party. GOP policy becomes, "We will judge you by our morals, but we will not apply them to ourselves."
Foley is a pedophile, preying on 16-year-old male pages. Rep. Robert Ney, a Republican from Ohio, is a convicted criminal facing jail time. Rep. Randy Cunningham, a California Republican, is in jail for bribes. Rep. Tom DeLay, a Texas Republican, is under indictment. Numerous other Republicans are under investigation, and convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff visited the White House 500 times.
Rather than do the right, moral, ethical thing, the congressional Republican leadership chooses to protect the Republican Party and its own power structure.
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Where is the protection of these children harmed by Foley? Where is that conservative outrage over his behavior and the leadership's cover-up?
There is a dilemma in voting Republican this fall. The choices are hypocrisy on one hand - voting Republican - and heresy on the other - voting Democrat.
I'm sure glad I don't have to explain this choice to God.
Daniel Martinez
UNM student
