The Politics of Prostitution
The governor and his wife
An Honest Politician
Whoa, wait a minute. Isn't "an honest politician" a huge oxymoron? Kinda like "holy war" or "authentic replica?" We thought we had an honest politician in Elliot Spitzer, the big crime fighter governor from New York and ex-attorney general who used to prosecute prostitution rings for New York state. Now, today, March 10th, 2008, he is accused of being part of a big prostitution ring and has made a statement apologizing for his bad behavior and inconsistent decisions for his family and constituents. Now that's friggin embarrasing and demoralizing - for all of us.
After President Bill Clinton had to suffer through the humiliation of the public bombardment of his personal variances, I didn't think there would be another who could go through anything as private and unseemly. Whenever I experience a really uncomfortable moment, I often reflect back on what the Clintons went through during the grand jury investigations and ensuing fallout and near impeachment. My woes always pale in comparison.
Legal in Amsterdam
What made him do it?
Maybe Mr. Spitzer really thinks the oldest profession should be legalized, as it is in Holland. At least the women have access to proper medical treatment and are considered to be "self-employed" legal contributors to society as they pay taxes and follow regulations within the trade. The biggest problem the Netherlands face because of their legalization of prostitution is the prevalence of human trafficking - a real travesty in all countries. I haven't heard that the governor was involved in this really abhorrent practice, but he has admitted to other corruption.
Power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely.
--This arose as a quotation by John Emerich Edward Dalberg Acton, first Baron Acton (1834–1902). The historian and moralist, who was otherwise known simply as Lord Acton, expressed this opinion in a letter to Bishop Mandell Creighton in 1887:
"Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad men." --
OK, that explains our illustrious leader's actions. The higher up we go, the harder we can fall. Temptation is so great to sneak behind the green door and avail oneself of the darkest treasures. Mr. Spitzer held very high ideals, expressed a moral code of ethics for which all were duly impressed. It reminds me of the recent revelations of sexual misconduct that has prevailed in the Catholic church. When we form this great illusion of perfection, our shadow sides tend to really take advantage of us.
No doubt this man is sorry for his actions and is going to experience a life-transforming awakening due to his impropriety. He seems like a nice guy with a long background in public service. Perhaps when the "truth" is known, there will be mitigating circumstances for his plundering. Once again, our trust has been shattered and we are forced to look beyond the apparent and find a deeper meaning in life that keeps us above these dispiccable events so often perpetrated by our political heroes.
