Liberal 3

Many Conservatives see several parallels in policies that propose larger government between Presidents Carter and Clinton like Carter’s Energy Crisis and Clinton’s Health Care Plan. “1) Carter complained the U.S. was the only W. Democracy with out a national energy policy. 2) Spoke darkly about the power of special interests. 3) Hired Jim Schlesinger to help manage policy efforts.

4) Exonerated the oil industry for profiteering. 5) Warned that failure to pass his plan could threaten our free institutions. 6) Told Americans they use too much energy. Carter proposed several solutions to the energy crisis 1) Taxes on gas guzzling cars. 2) Regulation of natural gas. 3) Wind-fall profit taxes. 4) Creation of a Department of Energy. 5) Standby tax on gas to be imposed if Americans use too much. 6) Tried to change American habits.” (Wall St. Journal, 10/21/93, p., by Dan Calf, Shades of Carter in Clinton Health Care Plan)

The parallels between them stop when it comes to being a moral leader. Carter was a Born Again Christian and a man of character who set an example as a moral and spiritual leader for the nation. Unlike Clinton he showed that character does matter. Neither during or, since his administration was Carter’s character ever questioned. Nor did Carter ever need to disgrace himself, his family, and the presidency by creating a legal defense fund, requesting donations from Political Action Committees or the public. It would have been beneath a man of his character.

Many feminists find themselves in the middle again: Ted Kennedy is a known womanizer, but supported many feminist and liberal issues. Clinton is also a liberal, but Paula Jones is a woman claiming a man sexually harassed her. Not being a Yale Law Professor like Anita Hill and the man being a Democrat, unlike Clarence Thomas creates a conflict of interest for feminists. Is any wonder that in a recent poll when asked “Is religion losing it’s influence on American life? 65% said yes and 21% said no. Should the president be moral and spiritual leader? 78% said yes. Is God the moral guiding force of American democracy? 55% said yes. Would our government be better if policies were more directed by moral values? 84% said yes.” (U.S. News & World Report, 4/4/94, p.51, a poll of 1000 registered voters with an over sample 45 blacks conducted by Celindia Lake of Mellman-Lazarus-Lake and Ed Goeas of the Tarrance Group 3/5-7/94. Margin of error: plus or minus 3.1%. Percent may not add up to 100 because some respondents answered “Don’t know.” Washington, D.C.)