Paul Ryan on Moral Relativism
James Pethokoukis released part two of his chat with Rep. Paul Ryan. The first part is here. I'm intrigued by this exchange:
1. Ryan on income mobility for the poorest Americans:
Education is at the heart of it all, but the culture is, too. Moral relativism has done so much damage to the bottom end of this country, the bottom fifth has been damaged by the culture of moral relativism more than by anything else, I would argue. If you ask me what the biggest problem in America is, I’m not going to tell you debt, deficits, statistics, economics — I’ll tell you it’s moral relativism. Now is it my job to fix that as a congressman? No, but I can do damage to it. But it’s the job of parents to raise their kids … But let’s not ignore it. These things go beyond statistics, they go into the culture. As a policymaker, I simply make that as an observation, not that I have an answer and a bill I can pass in Congress and to fix that.
Wisdom all around. But so much of the moral relativism that wealthier or more educated Americans can withstand have devastating effects on others. Take divorce culture or the birth-outside-of-marriage trend. These are some of the quickest paths to poverty, not that you'd know it from what you see on the news or in the movies.
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May '11
Re: Paul Ryan on Moral Relativism
How many others, in either house of Congress, have the knowledge and character that combines to this display of wisdom?
Jun '10
Re: Paul Ryan on Moral Relativism
The Baby Boomer generation, because of modernization and general prosperity, were made so safe in their little American cocoon that they didn't learn (well enough) that bad behavior has bad consequences. Bad behavior started to be a developmental problem, rather than a sin. Society was much better off when bad behavior, including not paying your bills, had visibly bad consequences. Immediately so. Well, bad consequences are back, in a big way.
Mar '11
Re: Paul Ryan on Moral Relativism
Not just character, but the courage of character to actually say it knowing that there will be those who will object for the very reasons he cites.
May '10
Re: Paul Ryan on Moral Relativism
I hope some day that I get a chance to cast a vote for this man.
Nov '10
Re: Paul Ryan on Moral Relativism
Wise words, but I'm more impressed with that part at the end. A congressman saying, here's a problem, but the answer isn't going to come from any law that I can pass to fix it.
Imagine how much better off America would be if congress had the wisdom to not tinker with problems that can't be fixed by passing more laws.
Feb '11
Re: Paul Ryan on Moral Relativism
Mollie Hemingway, Ed.
birth-outside-of-marriage trend.
This is partly because we enable it. My wife, on a daily basis, treats unwed women in their early twenties who have multiple (four, five, or more) children, each one by a different father. They frankly admit they do it for the financial benefits as much as anything. Virtually all the women she treats who are under eighteen and childless are being forced to take Depo-Provera, usually by the grandmother, the shiftless mother long since out of the picture (another discussion topic in its own right). Once they turn eighteen, and can no longer be forced to take birth control, the spigot opens.
This is not to say that money is the only or necessarily even the primary cause. The benefits are, nonetheless, a significant - and controllable - factor. Unfortunately, the current system is incapable of discriminating between those who are truly needy or deserving and those who are merely out to exploit the system. I do not have a quick witty solution, nor, it appears, does anyone else. Probably the system will not be reformed until governmental financial collapse involuntarily guts it. It is, after all, 'for the children'.
Feb '11
Re: Paul Ryan on Moral Relativism
One additional point. One measure that can be taken is to pack Congress with more people like Ryan. Legislative elections at every level have never been more important.
Oct '11
Re: Paul Ryan on Moral Relativism
I have come to acceptance (sigh) that he's not running for President this term, but could someone please persuade this man that he needs to be on the opinion TV circuit somewhere pretty much 24x7 for the next year?
Dec '10
Re: Paul Ryan on Moral Relativism
I think it was George Gilder who said that poverty in America is not an economic povery but a spiritual one. The proof: who are the obese in America? Ryan is spot on. What a shame he chose not to run for president! Not one of the Republican candidates is making this point.
Sep '10
Re: Paul Ryan on Moral Relativism
I see nothing extraordinarily wise in what Ryan said. His observation while accurate is little more than common sense which has been repeatedly observed by others. Federal legislation while not causing the problem has contributed to it and it would be nice if Ryan showed some acknowledgement that reversing the entitlement legislation would contribute to solving the problem. If Mr. Ryan had not been a supporter of No Child Left Behind, Part D, auto bail outs and currently a backer of continued deficit spending for the next decade I might be a bit more enthusiastic. I must admit however he is one of the taller midgets in the leadership of the House.
May '10
Re: Paul Ryan on Moral Relativism
That line should be shouted in Newt Gingrich's face until he retracts his "right wing social engineering" quip.
Sep '10
Re: Paul Ryan on Moral Relativism
Matthew Gilley
That line should be shouted in Newt Gingrich's face until he retracts his "right wing social engineering" quip. · Nov 21 at 9:50am
I think it would have been wiser for Gingrich not to have made the quip, but it is accurate. Ryan's idea that what Congress does has no effect on the morality or culture of the country is nonsense. If he has no proposals to address what he says is the fundamental problem facing the country perhaps he should give some thought to working for a living instead of feeding off the government.
Apr '11
Re: Paul Ryan on Moral Relativism
I agree, but caution that people like Ryan are not easy to find. Good character, good policy, good looks, good eloquence. A distant but good enough second best is to elect people that will support him, and persuade the uncommitted to join them, both of which are much more doable.
Mar '11
Re: Paul Ryan on Moral Relativism
My wife's convinced me that we agree, but I can't ignore the culpability of the the wealthy and well-educated in making it appear that moral relativism has no effects. As a group they should be ashamed. What to do? A start might be to stop fawning over their bad behavior, the examples that the less well-equipped follow at their peril.
Jun '10
Re: Paul Ryan on Moral Relativism
I keep hearing about moral relativism but no one seems to be able to explain it beyond "if I don't think it's moral, it isn't." All morals are relative. It's moral, and legal, in this country for the government to lie, cheat, and steal but against the law for citizens to do the same. So morality is relative to your position in government, or your ability to influence government.