Governor Mark Sanford please exit stage left

June 27, 10:37 PMCharlotte Christian Living ExaminerPamela Lipscomb

Previous Next

10 comments Print Email RSS Subscribe

Subscribe

Get alerts when there is a new article from the Charlotte Christian Living Examiner. Read Examiner.com's terms of use.

Email Address   Include other special offers from Examiner.com Terms of Use

 

Despite calls for his resignation, Governor Mark Sanford of South Carolina, refuses to step down; after admitting to having an affair with a woman in Argentina.  Should a public official be made to step down after having and affair?  Probably not, this should be between God, the politician and their spouses.

The affair is not so much the problem, as the Governor's lack of intelligent discretion in handling the matter.  Sanford disappeared for several days without notice and without a transfer of power to his Lt. Governor.  He abandoned his public responsibilities and the state of South Carolina.  Neither Sanford's wife nor staff knew of his whereabouts during this period.

Governor Sanford also admitted that he had used state money, to fund his trips to see his mistress.  Sanford has promised, that he would return the money taken.  This is somewhat like a person who has robbed a bank and after being caught, returning the money, thinking he should walk free, because he returned the money.

It does not work that way, for most of us.  If you dance to the music, you have to pay the piper.  Governor Sanford seems to think, he is one of those special people, who does not have to be accountable or suffer repercussions for his actions.  He is said to be a great governor and extremely fiscally responsible; but how fiscally responsible could he have been, with his hand in the till?

Mrs. Sanford found out about the affair, when she found a love letter, the Governor had written to his mistress.  Despite his wife's pleadings, Sandford continued in an affair the threatened to destroy his marriage, his family and his career.  The extent of the Governor's disconnect from his family, was displayed in his continued absence even during Father's Day.

It was very telling to see that Jenny Sanford did not, "stand by her man," like so many politicians wives had done in the past.  It is always so painful to see these women, standing next to their cheating spouses, pretending that all has been forgiven and forgotten.  I predict that Mrs. Sanford's courage will set a precedent and in the future, fallen politicians will stand alone as they explain to the press and the public their misdeeds.