I wonder what kind of “I am untouchable” mindset infects our straying elected reps and senators that they observe their fellows involved in sexual misbehavior being outed and humiliated, careers ruined, and never think “I may be next.”

If these guys (I don’t know if any women serving in the Congress are out there cheating, but if they are, they do seem to be invisible) never think they will be found out, how smart can they be? Are there any, presently undiscovered, elected officials now serving who are still rolling merrily along thinking they are immune? I’ll bet there are.

And, of course, it’s one thing to patronize prostitutes, or have an affair – but this texting and phone exchange of titillating conversation is incredibly juvenile. The mature individual leaves all this behind after high school. Even Prince Charles’s phone conversations with the Rottweiler were taped and broadcast. They were, incidentally, gross. In the aftermath of that business, it was widely believed that he would be passed over for succession in favor of Prince William. Even the royals are not immune.

There was a time when none of the sexual behavior of Congress ever appeared in the press. It was an unwritten rule that this kind of “news” was off limits. Those were more graceful times. I don’t know if the current trend is a plus or not. It all seemed to start with the coverage of Gary Hart’s campaign for the presidency in the late 80s. He dared a reporter to follow him and was then caught and photographed cavorting on a yacht called “Monkey Business” with a beautiful business rep named Donna Rice. (She has since gone on to a successful career as an advocate for internet safety.)

Ever since then, the press has considered private matters among our elected representatives as fair game. I think public service well rendered and integrity in the service of the country are far more important and, no, I don’t think one necessarily leaks over into the other. But what is important is judgment. The naïve assumption that one’s hijinks will never be discovered is an indication of faulty thinking. Even ex Governor Sanford of South Carolina, who was “in love”, and who, presumably, might have proceeded with caution, did not. Incidentally, his affair came to light when his girl friend’s jilted ex husband leaked the E mails. Perfect. Up until the scandal, he was considered a favorite to run on the Republican ticket for the presidency in 2012.

How sad that otherwise competent individuals are ruining their careers and putting themselves out of the running for office where they might make a difference are self-destructing in service to their fantasies.

xx, Teal