In the 1990’s, Daniel Patrick Moynihan coined a phrase that is still with us. A sociologist and U.S. senator, he looked askance at the growing tendency to lower our moral standards. Since his day things have gotten worse, with new lows recorded annually.
Our latest dive toward the bottom was revealed in the reaction to an off-hand comment by Rudy Giuliani. He publicly affirmed that he did not have a positive opinion of the porn star Stormy Daniels. Her profession, not merely her antipathy toward Donald Trump, was cited to make his case.
Almost immediately a howl of protests went up. Left-leaning analysts demanded an apology. How could Rudy so insult a woman? Here she was, unusually accomplished in her occupation, and he had the temerity to attack her. This was clearly bias.
But I ask you, since when did being a porn star become honorable? Is prostitution similarly praiseworthy? Will fathers soon start encouraging their daughters to become whores? This work, after all, is well paying and affords plenty of leisure.
Are we really to believe that every kind of activity is equally respectable? Is having sex with a multitude of strangers laudatory—assuming the performer has the appropriate political views? Is attacking president Trump so admirable that it confers dignity on every aspect of a person’s life?
Were this so, there would not be a dime’s worth of difference between Daniels and Nikki Haley. Having sex in front of cameras and representing the United Stated in the United Nations would be of equal value. Why then put in the effort to achieve the latter when it is so much easier to do the former?
One of the most insane dictums emanated from liberals is that everyone deserves unconditional positive regard. No matter how they behave, all merit the same respect. Whether they are angels of devils, identical levels of admiration are warranted.
Those who make this assertion do not realize that morality must be encouraged if it is to be honored. Because it is often simpler to tell lies than unpleasant truths, from childhood onward we are urged to be honest. Accordingly, a failure to promote morality is basically the equivalent of promoting vice.
Unconditional positive regard is supposed to save people from feeling guilty about misbehaving. This purportedly helps them maintain their self-esteem by never threatening their self–images. Being critical, on the other hand, could depress them, thereby destroying their ability to lead successful lives.
It thus follows that what we need is sea-to-sea happy talk. If everyone is to be truly equal; if no one is to feel less worthy, destructive evaluations must be banished. Besides, boosting folk’s egos by telling them how wonderful they are encourages them to live up to higher standards.
Wait. Does anyone believe this? Does continually telling people that they are terrific inspire them to do better? Let’s be serious: why would they bother? If striking out is just as meritorious as hitting a home run, why spend hours of practice to improve one’s swing?
When it comes to morality, an incentive to do good is essential. Prostitution, murder and theft will always be with us. Nevertheless, they will be more common if we take a neutral attitude toward every form of conduct.
Once we told our children that they should follow the lead of George Washington and never tell a lie. This, to be sure, was based on an unrealistic idealization. Yet should we take the opposite tack and ask young people to admire Daniels because she is a “star”? If so, our families—and nation—are likely to disintegrate.
When lying is praised because it promotes the policies we favor; when violating the law is ignored because it protects people we admire, we are on a slippery slope. If we do not call a halt to this slide into moral oblivion, we will pay a terrible price.
As for me, I am prepared to call Daniels a “slut.” I know this is not nice. Indeed, it is intended to be harsh. While others may wish to pretend that sexual promiscuity is on a par with sexual fidelity, I must demur. If this makes my detractors angry, I am prepared to endure their outrage.
Defending our moral standards is worth it! Actually, it is long past time that we make valid distinctions.
Melvyn L. Fein, Ph.D.
Professor of Sociology
Kennesaw State University
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