RSS
Home
Governor Sanford and the (im)moral hypocrisy
Print
Email
RSS
Subscribe
Governor Mark Sanford (R-SC)
"I have been unfaithful to my wife . . . I developed a relationship with what started as a dear dear friend," quoted Governor Mark Sanford, Republican from South Carolina, after admitting an extramarital affair with an unidentified Argentine woman.
With all due respect to Governor and Mrs. Sanford, I could care less. Am I wrong to believe what transpires between spouses behind close doors is their business and not mine? I don't think so.
Speculation of Governor Sanford's whereabouts quickly ignited a media frenzy after the governor mysteriously disappeared. Leading his staff to believe he was hiking the Appalachian Trail, Sanford sheepishly re-emerged a week later declaring that he had in fact been in Argentina with his mistress.
Sanford's confession has become an all too familiar part of U.S. politics. His admission added to a long list of lascivious politicians including Senator John Ensign (R-NV) and former presidential candidate Senator John Edwards.
For the past twenty years, it seems as the American public has become increasing more interested in the private lives of their elected officials. But why is this so? Is it the prevalence of the internet and increased access to information? Is it the insatiable media and growing entertainment media like the invasive paparazzi? Why are we so curious? In my opinion, the media has played a large part. Remember, sex sells.
When news of Governor Sanford the media misled us. We were misled to believe that it was his infidelity and not the abandonment of his gubernatorial duties and his misuse of tax payers dollars to pay for a trip to Argentina in 2008 that was his crime.
Headlines around the country only seemed to focus on three words: Governor Admits Affair.
Although Governor Sanford was known for his criticism of former President Bill Clinton's affair, his staunch conservatism, Christian values, and hard stance against same-sex marriage; his affair does not make him a criminal. A hypocrite, but not a criminal. But with half of all marriages in this country ending in divorce, surely a vast number of those judging Sanford already have or possibly will find themselves in the same predicament as the disgraced governor. Perhaps we are all hypocrites?
It is very easy to judge a person outside of the microscope of the public eye. So instead of judging Governor Sanford for his moral character, let's focus on his crimes as a state official. What Sanford is guilty of, at his own admission, is laundering state funds and dereliction of his duties as governor. If he is to resign or be impeached it should be for these reasons and these reasons only.
