I was reading Mark Steyn’s online article this morning about the problem with corruption in Canada. Apparently the ruling party has been using (abusing?) public funds to keep their political allies and friends well-fed and happy. I do not know enough about the subject to comment directly but one point stuck out at me. Mark Steyn observes that the "everybody does it" defense is being used by the Liberal Party defenders just as Bill Clinton's supporters used it during his administration.

In real life – as opposed to politics – you mostly hear this argument from teenagers and persons with a teenager's judgment. It abandons moral judgment and jumps into the cesspool of cynical relativism. It also conflicts with the rule of law, as laws no longer matter – just momentary consensus.

I certainly hope for Canada's sake that they reject this argument. They can either choose to be governed by objective truths as enunciated in laws, or watch their society undergo a one-way ratchet to increasing corruption and moral decadence.

The Canadians I know are good and decent folk. I suspect that goes for most Canadians. I am optimistic that those qualities will save them from accepting this bad argument.
- posted by Thomas @ 10:13 AM