REFLECTIONS BY ANDREW DAVIS
Time and time again during the electoral races, the more socially conservative politicians have tried ministering the point that they should be elected in order to preserve moral standards. Actually, 'ministering' is accurate because these politicians often infuse religion into their messages. However, like a lot of religious leaders (Jimmy Swaggart and Jim Bakker, anyone?), these politicos are themselves models of hypocrisy.
Take Bob Churchill, an 18-year Republican incumbent who currently represents the state's 62nd district and who is running against Democrat Sharyn Elman. Churchill has repeatedly talked about family values; however, he seemingly has ignored the needs of his own family. In 2001, his former wife, Sandra, filed petitions against him alleging, among other things, that he failed to pay alimony and even used a check from an insurance company to pay for something else besides his child's ambulance ride. Moreover, while serving as a state representative, Churchill has made some moves that some find ghastly. Among them is voting against mandatory insurance coverage for mammograms—which was one reason that spurred Elman, a breast cancer survivor, to run. It seems that while the anti-choice Churchill is pro-life when it comes to fetuses, the priorities shift when it comes to adults, particularly woman. Another fact that underscores this point lies in Churchill's vote to allow any man, even a rapist, to go to court to stop a woman from having an abortion if he claims to be the father. Then, there are other violations—including the fact that Churchill sought favors from Scott Fawell, then-Gov. George Ryan's chief of staff who was implicated in racketeering and fraud.
Then there's Lloyd Karmeier, who's running to represent the Fifth Judicial District in the State Supreme Court. Karmeier, who is currently a circuit court judge in Washington County, has hired a gay man, Steve Tomaszewski, to run his campaign. To some, seeing someone like Karmeier hire Tomaszewski is politically progressive—especially in southern Illinois, a bastion of conservative thinking. However, adding to the hypocrisy (and confusion) is the fact that Karmeier is staunchly against gay marriage and other rights for GLBT individuals. So although his campaign manager cannot marry his partner, the judge entrusts him with campaign strategies—and campaign funds.
Of course, no discussion of this subject would be complete without U.S. Republican senatorial candidate Alan Keyes. Keyes has offended many people, including members of his own party, with his views on everything from abortion to gay rights. However, in light of the news that his daughter, Maya, may be a lesbian, how will Keyes react? Will he embrace her as his own, despite her sexual orientation—or will he brand her as a 'selfish hedonist' as well and emotionally abandon a family member?
Despite the tone of this piece, there is really nothing wrong with core or family structure. Our society benefits from familial and, yes, moral values that occasionally need to change with the times.
However, society does not benefit when deception seems to be one of those values.