Political Scoundrels - July 2011

Mankind is not perfect. But what defines a person is his or her ability to take responsibility for his or her actions and accept the ramifications.

Many such imperfections are against the law and result in appropriate punishments. But others involve issues which are considered immoral or unethical – but are not illegal - for which the individual’s ultimate response upon getting caught is based on his or her character.

There has been much discussion in the media and at water coolers about the actions of Democratic Congressman Anthony Weiner. It is good that he made the decision to resign from office because regardless of whether his actions eventually are found to be illegal, his behavior was simply unbecoming for a Congressman who should be a role model for our country and its children.

Although this wiener was shriveled by his public humiliation, Congressman Weiner is not alone in bringing scandal to the Capitol. As far back as the founding of our country, our elected and appointed officials have had illegitimate children, been involved with prostitutes, misused public funds, accepted bribes, and been involved in other types of pay for play scandals.

Such improper and illegal behavior is not limited to Democrats although I do enjoy watching the media always trying to defend them or rationalize their actions. I often watch MSNBC in the very early morning hours and like to hear their mostly liberal panelists citing Democratic talking points and protecting their own. Thankfully Weiner’s situation evolved as it did so those supposed experts had to finally join the chorus in condemning him.

I do need to ask though why Democratic leaders rarely or are the last to call for their misbehaving members to resign while Republican leaders do so quickly although not always successful in their efforts. Former Palm Beach Republican Congressman Mark Foley quickly resigned when asked as did former New York Republican Congressman Christopher Lee.

However, former Republican Senator Larry Craig from Idaho ultimately refused to resign his seat after being found guilty of disorderly conduct for his sexual acts in the Minneapolis-St Paul airport but did not run for re-election. Louisiana Republican Senator David Vitter refused to resign after being listed as a long-time client of a prostitution ring. He ultimately was re-elected by his constituents to his current term. And Mark Sanford, the former Republican Governor of South Carolina refused to step down after admitting to an extramarital affair and then served out his term.

But I do not recall Democratic leaders aggressively calling for the resignation of current Congressman Barney Frank of Massachusetts who allowed his lover to run a male prostitution ring from his townhouse. Then there is New York Congressman Charlie Rangel who has still not been asked to resign for his myriad of income tax violations and misuse of public housing. And I do not recall any Democratic leaders calling for former President Bill Clinton to step down for his salacious affair with an intern or for lying to a grand jury.

To me, this whole issue of scandalous behavior is quite simple. Elected officials – be they from the City of Weston or the Towns of Davie or Southwest Ranches, or are our representatives on the School Board, County Commission, or in Tallahassee and Washington, DC – need to be held to a high standard of decency because they represent us and are looked upon by our children as role models.

Perhaps the number one cause for unacceptable behavior by our elected officials is because the power and fame of being a public figure inflates their ego and alters their perception of right and wrong. I have seen the subtle changes in a number of candidates for whom I have volunteered or contributed in years past. And, unfortunately, I have personally known a few who went over to the dark side and were jailed for wrong doings.

This is why I have always believed in term limits for any elected position. And why I have always respected those elected officials who come from successful business and professional careers over those who have made politics their life’s calling and have only a text book understanding of the real world. Only time will tell who our next scoundrel will be.