R S V P / ORANGE COUNTY : Words From the Man of ‘Virtues’ : Former Cabinet member William J. Bennett talks about his best-selling book at an Irvine fund-raiser.

William J. Bennett, author and former U.S. secretary of education, spoke at a benefit staged by Angelitos de Oro, an auxiliary to Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Orange County.

Addressing 500 people at the Hyatt Regency Irvine on Tuesday, Bennett talked about the forces of “de-civilization” that are threatening the country, from the breakdown of the American family to the violent lyrics of gangsta rap. The $100-per-person luncheon was expected to net about $80,000 for the local Big Brothers/Big Sisters program.

Right From Wrong

Although he held high posts in the Reagan and Bush administrations, many people also know Bennett as the author of the bestseller “The Book of Virtues.” Bennett described the book as a collection of “mostly old stories” designed to “help people recognize right from wrong.”

“People are looking for something to hold on to, something reliable . . . that won’t degrade and debase them,” he said before the luncheon. “People want to have their sights raised.”

His book has sold 2.1 million copies, even though skeptics in the publishing industry predicted, “No sex, no pictures--it won’t sell,” Bennett said.

“Last month I outsold Howard Stern 8 to 1, and Roseanne 5 to 1,” Bennett told the crowd. “That tells me American people are interested in serious things.”

The audience proved interested as well. It queried Bennett on weighty matters such as what to do about illegal immigration (“I’d secure the border”) and how to improve the education system.

Bennett blamed much of the country’s woes on the breakdown of the family and the lack of positive role models, especially for boys growing up in homes where the father is absent.

“We haven’t provided them with a rational, stable male worth emulating. Instead, they’re emulating what they see on TV,” he said.

Bennett grew up in a single-parent home; his mother was married and divorced five times. Still, he said, “never has there been a society where single parenthood was the norm. We’re heading into unchartered waters.”

Bennett’s Lighter Side

After tackling a few more questions about social decay, Bennett finally asked, “Don’t you have any questions for me about politics?”

One guest did, asking Bennett who he thought would win the Republican nomination for president in 1996. Without naming favorites, Bennett said: “I think Gingrich will get into this thing.” U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich has dominated the news during the past 100 days, he said, and will probably continue to do so.

Bennett also lightened the mood with a few well-timed jokes. Discussing his role as drug “czar” during the Bush Administration, he quipped, “The only advantage of that job is I could call my wife czarling and my kids czardines.”

When asked what book had made the greatest impact on his life, Bennett said, “ ‘The Book of Virtues’--financially. I now own a beach house.” Earlier, Bennett said he had “read everything Shakespeare ever wrote” and that George Eliot was his favorite novelist. Bennett is working on a sequel to “The Book of Virtues” called “The Moral Compass.”

For their part, luncheon organizers were pleased with their choice of speaker.

“His theme has been directed to children. His topic ties in beautifully with our cause,” said Carol Porter, event chairwoman. Big Brothers/Big Sisters matches volunteer role models with boys and girls who are growing up in single-parent homes.

Among those attending were Arden Flamson, president of Angelitos de Oro; Betty Adkinson; Phyllis Baillie; Barbara Barnard; Ann Benjamin; Jack and Barbara Carr; Fred and Harriett Cox; Martha Crowner; John and Jerri Dwan; Elizabeth Fairchild; Carolyn Garrett; James and Betsy Mackenzie; Cecilia Nott; Trish O’Donnell; Sharon Pettis; Joan Sammis; Sandy Sewell; Ron and Flo Speers; Rhoda Stanley; Catherine Thyen, and Lois Tingler.