Virtue & Vice

When did we stop encouraging virtues? Was it some time in the last two weeks? … the last two years? … the last two decades? From my perspective, it’s been since the mid-1960’s. Have you looked up the definition of virtue? A quick Google search will bring up these definitions: moral excellence, goodness, righteousness ….and the quality or practice of moral excellence or righteousness….get the picture?

It seems that at this time in our American history, virtue is no longer a principle we care to practice or reward. Virtue is a word that I’ve seen repeatedly throughout the writings of our founders. They believed that without virtue, man is lost. It’s not uncommon for pop culture to mock and ridicule those that would try to live by a high set of values that are in and of themselves extremely difficult to maintain. Why is it difficult? … because it is not easy. It is much simpler to give in to vice than it is to maintain virtue.

Lying, cheating, and stealing are now considered almost as necessary in our everyday lives as is eating, drinking, and sleeping. I know that lying, stealing and cheating are no more necessary in our lives today as it was before the 1960’s. I don’t know anyone that trusts a known liar and cheat … nor do they trust anyone that is valueless (except when it comes to politics).

The best example I can give of this willingness for Americans to accept a virtueless politician would be Bill Clinton (bet you thought I’d say Barrack Obama). Bill was a known lying, cheating, immoral man. He could not be trusted to keep his word or his vows, yet the press and large numbers of Americans (mostly Democrats) supported him as a politician. While on the other hand, my favorite politician in America right now is Sarah Palin. Sarah is the anti-Clinton. She is known for saying what she means, she’s faithful, religious, and independent … all attributes our founding fathers had and encouraged. Yet she is vilified (mostly by Democrats) in the press and by some in her own political party. She has been faithful to her spouse (Bill hasn’t) … she’s been truthful in her actions (Bill hasn’t) … she left the Governor’s office so as not to be a strain on her state and family (Bill left the Governor’s office to be an embarrassment to the Presidency, to Arkansas and, his family).

But I won’t stop there. Sarah did not abort a baby she knew would have special needs. She and her daughter both kept their babies when the easy option would have been to kill them. Yet, instead of being applauded for their courage and virtues, they’ve been attacked by the media and liberals. Bill Clinton has never shown any courage in any situation (for that matter neither has Hillary). Bill humiliated his wife in front of the nation and world and even had her publicly lie for him. Sarah has brought honor to her husband and family. Sarah has been vilified for doing the right things … Bill is championed even though he has no redeeming qualities. Sarah is labeled extreme … Bill is embraced.

It seems that we have decided that all things good are extreme and all things that used to be consider vice are now an acceptable norm, whether it’s legalized gambling, legalized marijuana use, prostitution, pornography, and homosexuality. I haven’t watched much network TV in the last 5 years, but now it seems as if every show includes a gay couple that is the sane couple and the traditional couples are the ones in turmoil. Talk show host are now gay or reformed drug addicts. Comedians think of themselves as enlightened political and social commentators (when in fact they aren’t anything more than the court jesters of old that are meant to be laughed at). Gay couples are not the norm today any more than they were at any other time in history. Destructive behavior is just as destructive now as it has ever been, no matter what pop culture has to say about it. Once virtue is lost, it cannot be recovered … that is why virtues have to be cultivated, nurtured, and reinforced …. vice is easy! ... sin is fun (and it taste good too). Is vice now virtue and virtue vice … or vice versa? Of course not! .... it just seems that way.

Political correctness and fear of ridicule has caused a shift to take place in this country that has weakened the moral and ethical foundation the United States was founded upon. Liberal professors, social elites, opportunist politicians and Hollywood entertainers have used their influence with the media to mount an attack on those of us that believe common sense, common values, and common interest are what made this country great as well as our system of government.

Diversity of culture, race, and ethnicity has also been a major advantage we have in this country … but not because of those things that make us different from one another but because of those things that make us the same. Our common agreement with the preamble of the constitution that we are all entitled to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Our common religious beliefs in God, The Ten Commandments, moral and ethical correctness (not political correctness), and social and personal virtue. Vice hasn’t changed because the times have changed … the only thing that has changed is the power and influence of the popular culture on our society and government. That hasn’t been a change for the better, the change has negatively impacted almost every aspect of American life. Families are broken, men are less manly, women don’t trust men, and sexual perversion is on the rise … all because we have left virtue behind to pursue vice.

There you have it.
Pass it along if you like or let me know if I don’t have a clue.

Eddie