I’m not judging individual politicians. I’m judging a trend.
Clinton. Sanford. Lee. Ensign. Vitter. Straus-Kahn. Weiner.
Example after example of men in power not just cheating but abusing their powerful positions in sexual relationships with structurally less-powerful women — and then trading on their trust and credibility with the public to try and cover up their acts.
Yes, when Republicans who moralize about “family values” get caught with their pants down, it opens them up to critiques of hypocrisy. But that aside, Republican scandals actually perversely advance the Republican agenda. “…One more example that politicians are all corrupt bastards, so therefore you can’t trust government…”
Democrats, on the other hand, have the vital job of restoring trust in government, in helping all Americans see the role that government has played and must continue to play creating and spreading opportunity for all of us. And the downside to being a progressive standard bearer is you have to bear higher standards. If we want public institutions to be revered, than those who serve the public must act with greater reverence.
Including greater reverence for women.
So how is it the many male politicians we entrust, Republicans and Democrats, to protect the very amorphous borders of the United States cannot respect the very physical and clear boundaries of women? Especially at a time of astonishing political and economic crisis, where the need for leadership is greater than ever, why can’t they keep their little Congressmen in their pants and focus their attention on the needs of their constituents and the nation?
If you’re response is that, allegedly, at least 50% of men cheat then fine. That still leaves plenty from the other 50% who can run for office.
The reason doping allegations are such a scandal in sports is because, fundamentally, we look up to athletes as role models and want to think of them as generally upstanding and honest heroes. And that’s in something as frankly trivial as sports! Now we’re talking about our nation’s government, the traditions of public leadership and trust handed down from our Founding Fathers to the elected officials of today. And no, the Founding Fathers were not perfect either — nor were Teddy Roosevelt, JFK and so on. Fortunately for Benjamin Franklin, the etchings of his flying kite that he sent to some young woman weren’t posted on Facebook. The standards today are different. And I, for one, want to be able to encourage my daughter to correspond with her Member of Congress in this great era of technological transparency — without her being exposed to her Member’s member.
Weiner is a great champion of political causes. Or was. Now he is fast becoming the Tiger Woods of politics, an albatross around the neck of any issue he may champion going forward. If we feel the need to defend Weiner simply because there are so few bold progressive voices in the Democratic party today, that says much more about the Democratic party in general than Weiner in specific. We cannot solve the Democrats’ pathetic leadership vacuum by desperately clinging to dud leaders.
Integrity matters. And in a time when, more than ever, we need our politicians to use their power for good, there’s no room for those who abuse their power over others. I don’t know if this entire episode reflects most poorly on Weiner in specific, men in power in general or even all men potentially — but let’s use this as an opportunity to not just chastise Weiner’s poor judgment but to, once and for all, say enough is enough. You cannot credibly serve the interests of the nation while appearing to habitually, systematically demean and disregard all women therein.
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18 Responses to Male Politicians Screwing America
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Speak it, sister!
yeah …keep drinkin that koolaid!
Sadly, Sally, it is never about sex and sex only. It’s all about power. Power corrupts and absolute power, well, you know the rest. Great article, spread the word.
Just watched you speaking about the financial situation on Fox. Your opinions are just that – opinions and fortunately the people understand that you get your talking points directly from the Social Democratic Party.
Read the Word of God…. Obey…the liberals want to be their own God, making their own rules. It just doesn’t work that way. God made the Universe…and thier life doesn’t fit in his mold. May God have mercy on thier soul.
If Weiner can’t conduct himself in an ethical manner in his personal life, then why would his professional life be any different. He is a lying pervert and not someone needed to represent our country. He needs to do us a favor and step down. When one agrees to be apart of congress they must uphold certian values, if they can’t, then they don’t need to be there.
Deocrats restoring trust? Are you serious? They are so untrust worthy it’s pathetic. They arn’t interested in Americans with thier global agenda. Our own oil companies are being sanctioned to the point they can’t operate putting many out of work, but it was nice of our president to travel to Brazil to allow them access to the Gulf of Mexico. That is straight up anti-american. Oh, yeah his buddies are invested in the Brazilian oil company (Petrobras) so it makes sense that he is supporting them in getting more rich. How nice of him to finance them with $2 billion dollars with the potential of more. Our president his fullfilling his own selfish agenda and not working for the people of the United States. There is no way he can be trusted or the Democrats.
I simply blows my mind that your type actually believes this crap that comes from this “double XX chromosome” in a mans suit. If I hear one more time that Republicans want to cut taxes for the rich…. THEY OWN THE COMPANIES THAT MAKE JOBS YOU DOPE! It has been proven time and time again that reducing taxes spurs growth. Stop spending what we dont have on stupids BS programs and freakin get smart for a change. You are nothing more than a bleeding heart liberal that cant live by conservative ways because it would infringe on your perverted life. Read Leviticus please.
Agree…It’s the rich that own businesses and hire people. If they get tax cuts, they are able to hire more.
“THEY OWN THE COMPANIES THAT MAKE THE JOBS…” Where have you been for the last three decades, bro? Certainly not in the good old USA because about the only thing MADE IN AMERICA these days is POLITICAL B.S. The jackals and lackeys of both parties pretend to play games of chicken but basically take their orders from Wall St. COMPANIES THAT MAKE THE JOBS has to be the most hollow statement. They have gone overseas in search of cheap labor which has bankrupted the middle class now that there are no bubbles left. Companies are sitting phat and pretty on piles of cash reserves. Yo bro, big news—they ain’t hiring. You would a known that if you’d a taken your head out of where ever it was.
There is obviously some validity to your statements…but to infer that all jobs have gone overseas is flat out rediculous. Eh yo…yo Adrian, where yous from? They are hiring down here in Texas, so eh yo, maybe yous should get outta heya
TRUE capitalists wouldn’t need a tax cut to be profitable. If you think about it, giving businesses MORE cuts is just another form of bailouts.
Taxes aren’t killing companies and jobs, greed, and a lack of innovation spurred by desperate clinging to the status quo, that’s what killing jobs.
On the other hand I’d like to see the “owners” of businesses try to make a profit without the help of their employees. When I owned a restaurant I would have been hard pressed to man the grill, mop the floor, take food to the table and work the cash register all by myself. Seems to me that the folks who do the work ought to have some rights? Don’t you think?
P.S. to my previous post: Good dig you got in calling Ms. Kohn’s gender/sexuality into question. I just love being in middle school, don’t you?
Sally, you’re killing me. The Dem’s are restoring trust in Government? Our most corrupt Politicians are Democrats! How about Charlie Rangle, Barbara Boxer, Barney Frank, Maxine Waters and William Jefferson to name a few.
Sally, How long have you been a Female Chauvinist? FYI, there are plenty of female Politicians who are killing America. How about Barbara Boxer or Sarah Palin? They may not be cheating on their spouses but they both put there own selfish agenda and financial well being ahead of their constituents and the country. Check the records, Boxer is one of the most greedy and corrupt politicians we have, male or female, Dem or Rep.
Bottom line - You are right in calling these guys out but, to be fair, you need to call out all corrupt Politicians equally, women and men, regardless of their political affiliation.
BTW, I just saw you on Fox and you gave the classic performance of the kind of party line posturing that is killing this country. You need to stop clinging to the same old arguments that the Dems have used since Bush Sr.. You are young and good looking. Make a difference.
[...] systematically demean and disregard all women therein.This article was originally published at Sally Kohn’s Movement Vision Lab.–Photo credit Paul Takeuchi Posted in Gender Roles, Infidelity, Marriage, nfti-home, [...]
It seems superficial not take an issue like this at face value, when it is obviously being hyped. Chauvinism is obviously not acceptable; but neither is credulity to media culture.
[...] Now we can stop talking about Weiner, but we have to keep talking about the larger issue. Men in power all too frequently abuse their positions and exploit women. The Congressman is stepping down, but unfortunately there are plenty of other wieners in Washington. If you need a reminder of the other recent incidents, read my post on “Male Politicians Screwing America”. [...]