Yes, those things do indeed matter. And Republicans in Congress continually abdicate our ability to claim the high ground, by just such antics as today's vote to put the Federal Government into the business of furnishing drugs to elderly Americans. There is nothing in the Constitution which authorizes such behavior, and it is a far more serious breach of duty than was Clinton's, in covering up a scandal. (Of course, in my opinion, Clinton's major, monumental sins were ignored by the Republicans because they lacked the courage to pursue them: For example, his grotesque misuse of America's armed forces to promote his own despicable Socialist egalitarian mindset. (See The Abuse Of Power.)
In trashing the chivalric heritage in our military, Clinton dealt our capacity to survive in any recognizable form a terrible blow. In his misuse of our military overseas, he undermined not only our sovereignty but our credibility in future dealings. It is these sorts of things, not the cover up of a personal scandal, that we should have focused on.
William Flax Return Of The Gods Web Site
No comparison to the vote today and Clinton scandals. As far as "nothing in the Constitution which authorizes such behavior" I would be one that believes the Constitution does provide for such behaviour. The clause for "promoting the general welfare" does tie into Article 1 Section 8 in the U.S. Constitution laying and collecting of taxes as revenue and what the revenue will be used for.
We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.
Article 1,Section 8. The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts and excises, to pay the debts and provide for the common defense and general welfare of the United States; but all duties, imposts and excises shall be uniform throughout the United States;...
I don't believe that the government should be a nanny state but reality says there are those who for whatever reason cannot care for themselves and should have some recourse.