WildIrish,

It was not my intent to leave you with an impression that I condone criminal behavior. To the extent that I have, my poor use of English is probably to blame. My relatively blasé attitude towards our elected officials may also contribute to that impression, although I have posted more than once my satisfaction that Mr. Foley’s IM adventures are now over.

The part I find bemusing is the seething, vitriolic hatred expressed by some, the extraordinary claims made, and the astonishing ideas of retribution. It seems to me to be so utterly wasteful. I am reminded of the fulminations towards President Clinton a few years ago. It seems so disproportionate.

You, I, Cheyanne, and all normal people are upset, disappointed and angered when we learn about theft, fraud, or any abuse of power. I have tried to suggest in my previous posts that there are two basic ways to replace elected officials: by voting and by prosecution. Most are replaced by votes.

I guess I’m asking why people expect what they do from politicians. Is it because we invest so much of our hopes in them? It seems to me that if we really thought so little of them as some claim, we wouldn’t be as angry or upset as I read. I remember being embarrassed when President Clinton’s behavior towards women was documented. I voted for him, and I felt that he let me down. But at the same time he was in most ways an active, effective Chief Executive, so why did I, along with many others, have such a difficult time with his extra-marital affairs?

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Eudaimonia