Letter: Politicians crassly further their careers

In response to Jack Lee’s July 7 letter to the editor, which proposed that Republican office holders sign a personal misconduct pact: I doubt any signed vows  would have been effective deterents to sexual misconduct for Republicans Larry Craig, Newt Gingrich, Mark Sanford, et. al., nor for Democrats Bill Clinton, John Edwards, etc., since their marriage vows – made to their wives in front of their family, friends and God – were no barrier to their selfish pursuits.

The power, prestige and benefits of public office can make some, especially career politicians, feel entitled to a different standard of morality, especially if they self-righteously preach a “higher” standard for the rest of us.

The recent revelations of sexual misconduct from the Republicans mentioned by Mr. Lee make bigger headlines because of the additional “sin” of hypocrisy.

When Mr. Lee wonders how any person who feels strongly about moral conduct can even be a Democrat, he reveals the same smug, holier-than-thou attitude of these very fallen Republicans.

If we learn anything from recent scandals it is that party affiliation and morality are separate and unrelated. There are people with high moral standards in both parties, and we should all be aware that politicians often use morality and religion to crassly further their own careers and personal agendas. 

Paul T. Odegard
Yuba City