The Clintons: business partners in a sham of a marriage

By Heather Hammer

Every few months or so, it seems like another "hero" falls from the good graces of the public's heart. We heard about it constantly in 1995 as a worldwide jury convicted football hero O.J. Simpson of the brutal murder of his wife. The very next year, Hillary Clinton stood by her husband on the campaign trail, pledged her undying support, and defended her and her husband's moral character. With a '70s liberalism based upon '50s morality, Mrs. Clinton seemed to say, "I am woman, hear me softly roar." Nicole Brown Simpson, on the other hand, was given but one voice--that of a desperate woman, begging 911 for help.

Feminists glorified Hillary as a strong, modern woman who was unafraid to assert herself or hold power. They hoped for a "Clinton team," optimistic that she would do more with her role as First Lady than merely come up with three-word drug slogans or thrill the fashion industry with a new choice of hat. But now, in 1998, she's helping Bill call up members of Congress, hoping to get support during the impeachment hearings. I watched in shock as they walked hand in hand to fly to their vacation home. I keep waiting for her to offer some sort of public denunciation of the Lewinsky scandal, but all that lingers is a cowardly silence.

This highly capable, intelligent woman walked hand in hand with the man who humiliated her and broke what were supposed to be sacred marriage vows. Why? I used to think it was because of their strong love for one another, but although they may have had this long ago, it is now quite obvious that what they have is a business contract. They are power brokers, struggling to keep their firm from going under. The Clintons' marriage is a sham, consisting of decades of infidelity and lies, with Hillary overlooking her husband's slip-ups time and time again. She has allowed his philandering to continue, and her show of unity with this man is an insult to women. Admirable as her loyalty may be, it is no longer deserved--she's made a mockery of "Stand by Your Man."

At the same time that Hillary came to epitomize the modern-day woman, feminists began martyring Nicole Brown Simpson. Portrayed as weak and helpless, a "classic victim," the most recognizable images we have of her are photos of her bruised face and video of her dead body. There is, however, a difference between the two, one that makes me view Nicole as a much stronger woman than Mrs. Clinton. Nicole left O.J. She began seeing other people, as he was doing. She stopped letting him control her. She went out, she had fun, she refused to play the role he demanded of her. She, like Hillary, wanted to work things out, but she had the strength to say "enough is enough" and try to do something about it. O.J. gave Nicole everything Bill gives Hillary--money, fame, influence. She could have stayed and reaped the benefits of a business deal. Instead, she decided she no longer wanted to suffer the consequences of an unhealthy marriage. She decided to start valuing herself.

The Simpsons' relationship, though certainly pathological, was at least one of emotion and passion, one which wasn't merely an offering for the public's affection. Perhaps it is preferable to have a partner who is obsessive rather than one who doesn't seem to care at all; at least that obsession demonstrates emotional stake and interest--a degree of basic humanity, barbaric as humanity can be. The President's treatment of Hillary is no better than O.J.'s treatment of Nicole, despite Clinton's behavior being more tolerated in society. I'd rather argue with my husband and physically fight with him than have him go behind my back and unabashedly molest a co-worker, conveniently forgetting my existence in his life.

As Bill is condemned, his popularity remains somewhat constant, as does Hillary's. Four years ago, both O.J. and Nicole were thoroughly trashed throughout the media and public circuits. Why is a marriage based upon money and power so much more accepted than one based upon passion? Nicole gave up her life trying to better her situation, and she knew that's what she was doing. She was willing to make sacrifices Hillary is not.

When I visited my grandparents this summer, my grandma told me a story about my Uncle Jim. He's been married twice, and she can't believe the difference in him. "He even takes out the trash now," she remarked. "Why?" I asked. "Because this wife demands that he does. She expects it of him. Christine never did."

A woman will be treated as well as she demands to be. It's about having the strength to give up the business aspect of a marriage in the name of dignity and self-respect. It also should be about love. The day that I find myself stuck in a loveless marriage with an unfaithful husband is the day that I risk my life and leave, even if that choice means joining Nicole in heaven.

Heather Hammer, ES '99, is taking a leave of absence this semester.

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