The Political Moral Compass

Once again, we have been assailed over the past few weeks with tales of extramarital affairs featuring, this time around, Republican Mark Sanford as the latest politician to be embroiled in a sex scandal!
Much to my complete confusion over this matter, it seems that politician's personal affairs are judged to somehow to have a bearing on their job performance and the office that they hold. As I see it, this topic must be an exclusively American cultural phenomenon because I can't think of any other country in the world where a politician's sexual activities are somehow deemed everybody's business!
For example, following the death of their twice elected ex-President, Francois Mitterand, the French came up with an ingeneously diplomatic solution when presented with the thorny issue of differing funeral agendas to honor their well respected President. The first funeral was a huge event featured on national television which was attended by prominent international figures and important heads of state, along with his wife and children. The second funeral however, was a more private affair and included his close confidants, as well as his beloved, long time mistress and was just as well attended! At the time, no one batted an eye in France and the whole event was actually a matter of national pride for the French because of the events fabulous fanfare and grand send-offs befitting a popular president!

In contrast, the overblown sex scandal leading to the prosecution of President Clinton during the mid-90s over his brief daliance with the frankly, witless Monica Lewinsky was a national embarresment that left international politicians scratching their heads. The thing that most incensed me during this witchunt against the then President Clinton was the complete waste of time, resources and money that was spent to humiliate a man that was our leader of the free world. I was so appalled by the colossel waste of resources for what seemed to me a matter between a man and his wife, I once again questioned this American sport of destroying political futures in the name of morality.

So, what is the saying? Those who live in glass houses should not throw stones?