Politics is a dirty business – just ask Rep Anthony Weiner
Politics has long been labeled a “dirty” business because of what most who engage in the career may become involved in during their term in office. Anything from slander, forgery, libel, and accepting sexual favors in exchange for use of power by the politician involved have been committed over the career and lifetime of a vast assortment of those with political influence. The public often thinks the bad behavior and poor judgment simply go with the territory.
Dirty politics has been a part of the American political scene since the days of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and James Garfield. Jefferson supposedly had pamphlets distributed that contained embarrassing or incriminating details regarding his political opponents while someone spread around the contents of a letter purportedly penned by Garfield degrading Chinese immigrants. Small time shenanigans? Perhaps but they were meant to hurt their opponents and most likely did so.
Those who serve in office are beset by many temptations during their careers and many succumb to opportunities that may be viewed as somewhat “dirty” or just plain wrong. Sex or money is often involved such as in the cases of former President Bill Clinton or more recently Democratic House Representative Anthony Weiner. Some men just cannot resist temptations even though they realize the risks they run as someone under the political “microscope”. The small town leaders of a city in California (Bell) simply wrote in their own salaries which amounted to millions!
Speaker of the House John Boehner, himself a potential Republican presidential candidate, is calling for the resignation of New York State Rep Anthony Weiner, who could have moved on to become the Mayor of New York City before this unfortunate display of poor taste.
With the seeming anonymity the internet provides some carry on “virtual” affairs or share some especially intimate photos of themselves as in the case of Weiner. While that in itself does not prove a man would make a bad Representative, Mayor, President, or Senator it does show they have a truly poor sense of decency and when they continually lie about it, that shows they are untrustworthy in all regards. Nixon lied and found himself ostracized for the remainder of his life.
The question is do these people deserve another chance? Bill Clinton got his and has moved on to be an effective senior statesman. Do the highly objectionable photographs, taken by Anthony Weiner himself, and passed around on his Twitter account warrant him being removed from political office for life? Most likely his lying about it and the fact he has displayed extremely poor judgment when sending rather explicit photos to various females (including a purported 17 year old) will be enough in many peoples minds to recommend Weiner never has political power of any sort ever again. Time will tell what direction he will follow.
