Political scandals are nothing new. Although media attention is currently focusing on the current scandal with New York’s Governor, I could probably name at least half a dozen other politicians in the last year who were similarly caught in a scandalous situation.
While I find the antics of the politicians to be disheartening, the thing that really disappoints me is the behavior of the politicians’ wives.
Sex scandals involving politicians have become so common that I’m rarely surprised by them anymore. I am however surprised when I watch the jerk hold a press conference and see his devoted wife standing by his side.
Maybe there is some kind of a code you have to sign when you marry a future politician, a contract or something that requires you to go to a press conference looking more embarrassed than the guy who should be ashamed, and offering your support, even though there are probably few things that you would want to do less.
In a world where scandals and apologies have become a regular thing, it would be refreshing to hear a politician actual utter an honest sentiment. With the current political pool, every time a politician takes a hard stance against something, you have to wonder if six months down the road, that’s where their scandal will lie. Whether it’s prostitution, gay rights or any other hot button topic, it seems when the countries politicians are fighting hardest against something, it ends up being something they have been enjoying all along. I would love to hear some honesty for once.
But what would be even more refreshing would be to see one of these guys at the podium on his own. Standing his own ground and not asking his family to embarrass themselves any more than he has already embarrassed them. It’s obvious that the wife doesn’t want to be there, and what kind of person would expect that of their significant other. “Sorry I cheated on you, but will you come look supportive while the press tears me to shreds?”
I would like to see the wife at her own press conference, where she tells the media exactly what she thinks of the scandal and why she doesn’t have to put up with it. I think the feminist movement has come far enough that some woman some where would tell her philandering, politician husband exactly where he can go, not to be petty and uncaring, but because that kind of behavior truly shouldn’t be tolerated.
What kind of message does it send to your children or to the rest of the world when you allow someone to treat you horribly just because they have a little political power? It tells people that a rich or powerful person should be able to get away with whatever they want. That they can use, hurt and wrong others with no real consequence, and that their marriage and family plays second fiddle to their political career. I’m pretty sure that is the wrong message.