On Republicans and Family Values - Mr. gingrich, tear down that wall!

With the admission by South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford that he has been having an affair with a “dear, dear friend” from Argentina, the Republican Party and their conservative supporters have once again failed the morality test. The revelations of similar conduct last week by Senator Ensign, coupled with the past transgressions of Senator Vitter and Senator Craig should point out to the Republican Party that it has both an image problem, and a far more pernicious but less notice action problem.

The image problem is simple – after spending most of the last two decades railing against the loss of “family values,” Republicans have now lost any moral high ground from which to attack Democrats. Sure, many still rail against Bill Clinton for his affair with Monica Lewinski, but they at least managed to impeach him over his subsequent conduct. That he was found not guilty in that proceeding is often overlooked. Now, however, we’ve had four senior Republicans rolled out in the last two years as unfaithful within the context of a “traditional” marriage, thus betraying one of the “family values” – the sanctity of that marriage between a man and a woman – which they so fervently howl over.

That veil lifting leads to problem number two – a lack of action, or actions in contradiction to rhetoric. To begin with, none of the Republicans in question were forced to resign much of anything – though voters did take care of Mr. Craig on their own. Mr. Vitter remains in office, but Louisiana politics are extreme at best, so I am not really surprised. It remains to be seen what happen to Mr. Ensign and Mr. Sanford, but I won’t hold my breath. None of these folks resigned publically, and no one from within their own party has called for their resignations, though they easily could on grounds of moral turpitude. None of them has been impeached either.

So, if the Republicans came to me and asked for advice, I’d tell them this: Hold a national caucus with all the Governors, Senators, and Congressmen. Give them one chance to come clean with their fellow Republicans, and then resign voluntarily from their posts. If they don’t then don’t give them a single dime in their next election. Don’t let Republican Political Action Committees give them a single dime either, or buy issue or attack ads. Make it perfectly clear to subsequent candidates that this won’t be tolerated.

Then, go to Capitol Hill and introduce meaningful legislation that addresses real threats to real family values. Put out a healthcare reform alternative that protects children and family budgets by making healthcare (particularly primary and preventive care) both available and affordable to all. Pass federal legislation to curb both the need for and the devastating effects of divorce. This is a public health and economics issue that affects the entire country and reform should come from the federal level. Strengthen environmental laws that ensure clean air, water, and sustainable use of earth’s natural resources, so individual families no longer have to witness the devastating effects of pollutants on their kids.

And tell twice divorced (due to affairs) Newt Gingrich to take a hike.