It Is a LITTLE About Individuals
Eliot Spitzer says politics is "not about individuals" -- well, maybe. But an individual's fitness to serve the public isn't irrelevant either.
I wish I could be more detached about this, and I know we usally talk about policy on this site, but occasionally, one really needs to consider whether a politician is personally worthy of the honor of public office.
Eliot Spitzer promised us he'd work hard to "clean up" the corrupt mess we have in government just as he had done with the mess in the financial industry and elsewhere (including busting up prostitution rings). There is not -- nor should there be -- any way to salvage his credibility after this violation of the public trust.
Public figures should be
Public figures should be held to a very high standard. When we excuse
personal mistakes, we accept less than the best for the job.
Spitzer helped consumers
Yes, Eliot Spitzer made a big mistake. However, he did chamption consumer causes.
See my blog The Survive and Thrive Boomer Guide at http://boomersurvive-thriveguide.typepad.com. I wrote a post on March 18 (under Personalities) in which I listed quotes from consumer leaders who praised his work. I think he deserves to be recognized for the work he did.
nothing to celebrate
Whether you disagreed with him on the driver's license issue, it troubles me to learn that you "loved" watching him "crash and burn."
This isn't anything to celebrate, it's a sad moment for many people who believed in the policies Spitzer advocated and who hoped for a transparent, accountable government when they elected him.
Personal Responsibility
I think that if a person shows a lack of personal responsibility we can expect a lack of public responsibility. In this case especially, where he had broken-up prostitution rings, who's to say he did not do this to eliminate the competition in return for special favors? Public figures should be held to a very high standard. When we excuse personal mistakes, we accept less than the best for the job.
Koli, I think you hit it right on the head with the line "one really needs to consider whether a politician is personally worthy of the honor of public office." Yes, public office is an honor, and these offices should be held by honorable people.
Have a great Easter,
Autobob
Serving with Honor
I'm surprised and glad that our society would still care about this kind of behavior after the past couple years of bi-partisan personal behavior. I think Spitzer was in more trouble than most because he didn't have a political friend left in New York. I have to admit I loved watching he crash and burn after the whole giving drivers licences to illegals nonsense.
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