So...lies don't matter?

The American public never ceases to amaze me.

Most times its collective wisdom is a marvelous thing, homogenizing diverse values and opinions into a unique perspective on the world and national events, resulting in a form of social consciousness at its egalitarian best.

And then there are other times - when that collective wisdom vanishes like the early morning fog under a blazing summer sun.

Case in point - the perplexing dichotomy of the public's opinion of the investigation surrounding President Clinton and other key players for perjury and obstruction of justice.

Without rehashing all the sorted details of the allegations - they've been repeated ad nauseum - the public's seeming lack of concern with the moral subversion this case is having, and will continue to have, on our interpersonal relationships is distressing. Maybe it's just that emphasis on the details that is part of the problem. Our focus has been diverted from key questions and the big picture by the titillation of barroom humor and innuendo.

A recent poll by CNN/USA Today/Gallup, showed that 66 percent of the American people believe Clinton and Lewinski had a tryst. And, 56 percent believed the president definitely or probably lied about the affair in sworn testimony.

At the same time, the president still enjoys an approval rating of 65 percent, while only 24 percent believed his lying warranted the only sanction available on a sitting president -- impeachment by The U.S. House of Representatives.

If this dichotomy holds true across society, it should make for some interesting conversations in homes and businesses across the country, as others apply the twisted logic that is suggested by these polls - namely, as long as the economy is rolling, inflation is down, and we're at peace - all deceit and debauchery is forgiven.

I can hear it now; "Yes, honey, I lied to you about where I was last night and who I was with, but I got a raise last year and I bought you that new car and I will get you another next year, so it's okay, don't worry about what I did or that I was less than honest. After all, Hillary is still married to a very popular President."

Or, "Gee Dad, I got straight A's on my report card, so you shouldn't punish me for lying about how the car fender got that dent in it. I'm really a good kid, who has has made the honor roll and I have a lot of friends."

Improbable? You bet! But that appears to be the pass the American people are willing to give the President.

Sure, he lied. Sure, he encouraged others to lie in an criminal investigation of his activities. Sure, he obstructed that investigation by gaining control of physical evidence and concealing it to prevent it's discovery and use.

None of that matters, because he's popular and the economy is on a roll.

And, we mustn't forget that Kenneth Starr is an evil Republican, hellbent on toppling the wonderful president from the other party for mere partisan purposes.

And, Linda Tripp is a terrible friend and ugly to boot, and ...

The reasons to forget all about the whole disgusting mess are plenty - and beyond question.

But are they? Have we really reached a point where prevarication and corruption by our President is excused because we can all buy a new car every year, or take that nice Caribbean vacation we've always wanted?

Is it really okay to lie just because you are accused of wrongdoing by someone who is unpopular or less attractive than the average beauty queen?

I sure hope not. But the recent polls aren't encouraging.

But, if that is really true, we all have lost something special about being Americans ... and we all should be ashamed.