Dole-ing out new standards

If governments didn't hand out direct support payments to citizens, this kind of back-door assault on legal/moral standards would not be possible:

Husbands with multiple wives have been given the go-ahead to claim extra welfare benefits following a year-long Government review, The Sunday Telegraph can reveal.

Even though bigamy is a crime in Britain, the decision by ministers means that polygamous marriages can now be recognised formally by the state, so long as the weddings took place in countries where the arrangement is legal.

The outcome will chiefly benefit Muslim men with more than one wife, as is permitted under Islamic law. Ministers estimate that up to a thousand polygamous partnerships exist in Britain, although they admit there is no exact record.

The decision has been condemned by the Tories, who accused the Government of offering preferential treatment to a particular group, and of setting a precedent that would lead to demands for further changes in British law.

Exactly the point. Western nations have made their internal policies hostage to the lowest common denominator of international standards. The inevitable result of multiculturalism marches on. But why should Westerners care? After all, if no culture is superior to any other, why should we try to remain distinctive? I'm sure Amazon.com will eventually do brisk business on books concerning "proper bribing" of government officials, how to render respect as a dhimma, and readers for the kiddies on Mahmood's Many Wives.

"We are the (third) world." Like it or not.