[Congressional Record Volume 144, Number 132 (Monday, September 28, 1998)]
[House]
[Page H9091]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      ETHICAL MELTDOWN IN AMERICA

  (Mr. STEARNS asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. STEARNS. Mr. Speaker, every day across America patriotic 
Americans feel frustrated by what they see on the news about White 
House scandals and the media's reaction to them. These same people who 
have worked to bring sexual harassment to our attention now say with a 
straight face that how women are treated in the workplace is a private 
matter.
  Nightly, we are treated to commentaries which seem to suggest that 
character does not matter, that we must adhere to two different 
standards, ethical standards for our public officials, one when the Dow 
is above 9,000, and the other when the economy is in a slump.
  The majority of Americans today know the truth and can see through 
the spin, retractions and the legalisms. Many in my district believe 
that we are witnessing a moral Chernobyl right before our eyes, an 
ethical meltdown that sends a message to every child in America that 
some people do not have to take responsibility for their actions.
  A healthy democracy requires not only that leaders take 
responsibility for their actions, but a Nation of citizens who demand 
that they do.

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