Amid news about really important issues, such as the economy and wars (on terrorism, in Iraq), comes a morality tale involving former education secretary and drug czar William J. Bennett, also the author of numerous books on virtue and a vigorous campaigner for "family values." It appears that Bennett's best-selling books and five-figure sermons exhorting adults, children, and political leaders to lead virtuous lives have helped finance a multi-million dollar gambling habit, which he recently renounced as "not the example I want to set."
The news media have had a field day with this story, pointing of course to the apparent contradiction between Bennett's behavior and words. But Gallup's annual survey on America's values and beliefs suggests that most Americans may not view Bennett's behavior as inconsistent with his emphasis on moral living. The survey, conducted May 5-7, shortly after Bennett's gambling was first reported in the news, finds 63% of Americans saying gambling is morally acceptable, while just 34% say it is morally wrong.