11/3/98, New Orleans, Louisiana

I am the mother of two sons. I have spent 19 years raising them with faith and values. This is the job of a mother, and it is important to the future of our country. I feel blessed to have been successful in the case of my 18 year old. I am still raising my 14 year old, who like all children, is still very impressionable.

Mr. President, please consider that it is extremely difficult to convince my younger son that values and morals are positive attributes he should strive to maintain, when lying and adultery occur in the highest office in the land -- and they are defended. Children notice. Many young men are starting to say "it's no big deal" to have illicit sexual relationships, since their President is defended daily for doing so.

The general attitude your defenders portray is that your dishonesty and varied sexual escapades and lies are expected behaviors we should ignore. We are told it's "just about sex" and "everybody lies about sex." They would have us believe that all men commit adultery and lie about it. How can we raise our children to believe the 8th commandment is important to follow, if they are hearing that it is unreasonable for us to expect them to obey it?

Mr. President, we must restore the sanctity of marriage. We must stand up for the values our children must embrace. We cannot do this effectively when you call this behavior "a private matter" and your defenders actively try to ruin the reputations of others involved - all the while knowing that these women are telling the truth.

Although some of these women were also to blame, as an older employer you had the responsibility to rebuff them. You carried an even greater responsibility not to approach them in the first place.

I dated a Rhodes Scholar for years. It did not work out when his interest in politics changed his values. The only thing that was important to him was being elected, and he was. He received many accolades and scholarships. Those who did not know him well thought he was a wonderful man. He had so much charisma.

They did not hear him when I did. I saw that he would say whatever it took to get that power, and he lost his character. He also lost me, even though he wanted to marry because "a politican needs a wife." Do you know why? Because the American people trust a man with family values. How ironic, don't you think?

As a mother of an 18 year old who has registered for the draft, imagine how I felt when I heard how you conduct business in the Oval Office - business that just may send my wonderful 18 year old away to possibly be killed. You did not stop long enough to devote your entire attention to the matter. It's unthinkable, Mr. President. You know this is terribly wrong, and we have every right to expect more of you.

Mr. President, God is important in the lives of 90% of the people of our country. When we take an oath to God with our hand on the Bible, we have a serious duty to tell the whole truth. You are not above the law, but even more important. You are responsible for ensuring that the law be enforced.

If you lie under oath about *anything*, you are jeopardizing the rights of citizens throughout the country by your example. You have compromised their justice. You have also made it unfair to all of those now in jail for perjury. You have the moral responsibility to do either of 2 things: accept responsibility for committing perjury yourself, or let all of those people out of jail.

Our President MUST be a moral leader in these times which require moral leadership. If perjury or destroying the character of others does not make you feel obligated to accept responsibility for the pain you've caused, please consider carefully that you are making it necessary for parents across the world to explain to their sons that, "NO, not all men commit adultery; NO, not all men lie about 'sexual secrets'."

Mr. President, this is an excellent opportunity. You are an example to others; take this opportunity to set a good one. Stand up and accept blame for everything. Be clear and concise; and don't wordsmith . This just teaches our children how to lie and get away with it. Show everyone that there are consequences to behavior. We will appreciate it. And you will have been a help, not a hindrance, to families across the nation.