In The Headlines

Posted: June 25th, 2009

After watching recent news reports, I’ve noticed that it seems many of us think our votes entitle us to an awful lot of access to politicians personal lives. (On a related note: Overall, the general sense of entitlement in society today is staggering. The behavior of so many people often has me asking the rhetorical question, “Who do you think you are?!”) It is understandable to want to vote for someone who shares your views and can relate to your agenda (yes, we all have one). To not want to cast vote for someone who does not is, actually, your RIGHT, but only the degree that you aren’t infringing on anyone else’s rights. However, if you are unsure of where a candidate stands, in that case, it might be in your best interest to simply abstain from voting for that office. Exercising that type of freedom- to choose or to choose not to make a choice, is part of what allows the system to work.

While it matters to me whether an illegal act has been committed, I don’t care who elected officials are fucking; I feel that’s a private matter. Sure, the ‘injured spouse’ could be considered a victim, but adultery isn’t a crime, per se. It’s certainly grounds for dissolution of a marriage, but it isn’t an offense punishable by law, though their spouse may find ways in which to punish them for it. ;)

The real injustice is that careers are forever jeopardized by private matters that don’t affect competence or ability to perform job duties. I’m baffled that sex between two consenting adults causes such a stir. Granted, when it is done on company time or financed with company funds, that’s another matter, but done ‘off duty’ and with their own earned monies shouldn’t be grounds for termination! Yes, a certain conduct is expected of them AT WORK – just like it is of you, but what one does in their freetime, provided it is legal, has so little bearing on other areas of their life or yours.

Some may argue that politicians should be held to a higher standard. I believe the time to let go of our ideals about what a politician is and should be is long passed. In this era, the best we can hope for is that they are not criminals. Certainly, this is unfortunate and sad fact, but a reality none the less and it is something to which we must adapt. Our adaptability is key to our success as a nation.

Others may argue that an affair is a reflection of character and, therefore, an indication that someone cannot be trusted with the job of running our country. Before you start spewing that logic, it might be a good idea to ask yourself: How above reproach are you? What things have you done that would be reason for you not to be trusted and have things taken away from you, have your life ruined? More importantly, who is qualified to make that judgment? The common man? Your next door neighbor? The guy in line at the supermarket? The woman waiting for the bus? I mean, they vote and pay taxes too, so… ???

Most of us, thankfully, are instilled with a basic sense of right and wrong; that isn’t exclusive to any certain religious sect. We can all probably agree to the general compromised summation of: those that kill or steal should be held responsible for their actions and receive some sort of punishment. (It is the specifics upon which we can’t agree.) I know I definitely can’t get past the fact that the world can’t be that envisioned “better place” with these thinly veiled attempts to enforce any particular set of morals on others. I feel like an old woman as I sit here shaking my head and muttering, “what a shame; we have so much potential.”

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