There's a small part of me that still believes in the political American hero; the kind of protagonist best embodied in Jimmy Stewart in "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington." He's caught in the tangled web of politics and ambition, yet he genuinely believes in his heart the values of justice, ethics and democracy. He's the idealistic American and patriot and he fights against the tyranny of personal interest. That's a nice value which I hope might exist. Alas, in these convoluted days of lobbyists and personal interests, it's impossible to imagine. When New York Attorney General Eliot Spitzer decided to run for Governor for the state of New York, I was thrilled. Through his tireless work as part of the New York District Attorney's office, he headed up the labor-racketeering unit to undermine organized crime. Soon elected to the office of Attorney General, Spitzer took on white collar crime and succeeded in prosecuting several high profile transgressions for insurance contingent commissions, SEC violations, price fixing and most of all, for nailing Dick Grasso, Chairman of the New York Stock Exchange. I was a fan of this legal crusader.
When former New York Governor George Pataki exhausted his term limit, Spitzer ran for and won the New York gubernatorial election in 2006. At last Our Everyman occupies New York's Gracie Mansion. As usual, I let my optimism get the best of me. Sometimes the stronger they are, the harder they fall.
And fall tonight did he. Hard.
Gov. Spitzer was indicted in an FBI sting of a high priced prostitution ring. Identified as client #9, my democratic crusader was shelling out five grand a night to cavort with expensive call girls, some as recently as a few weeks ago. The media is afire. I can only imagine the front of The New York Post tomorrow morning. Local politicos are demanding his resignation. The public is outraged. It's dreadful.
And this idealistic girl who still thinks we have American heroes? Let's just say I am mighty disillusioned.
7 comments:
It's just astounding the things that are occasionally uncovered about politicians. You would think they'd know by now to stay above the fray at least for as long as they're in office. It just doesn't friggin make sense.
Things like this have always occurred, remember the stories about JFK? I'm too young to remember the events, but if it were now, the media would be all over it like flies on shit. Even in biblical times, this sort of thing was invariably happening. My point is, everyone probably has skeletons in there closets. Politicians et al, who are in the publics' eye, are always exposed and people want to hear these things. Humans love scandal and respect for privacy is long gone. The sad part, taxpayers are probably paying for these rendezvous'.
You're right Caryl, it doesn't make sense.
I was really turned off by hearing about the gov. of NY. Sleeze...
Politicians. They all lie, cheat and
steal.
http://tinyurl.com/2akobk
I know, I know. And now he's resigned.
*whimper*
So sad.
So when it comes down to final
two major party nominees. You have
to choose the evil of the two lesses.
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