General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Cuomo is 63 years old. I am 75 years old. [View all]Caliman73
(11,764 posts)The one thing that you did not address is the significant power differential between Cuomo and the women he was flirting with. This is where we run into bigger problems. He is not just some "dirty old man" posting anonymously in a political forum. He is the Governor of one of the most powerful states in the United States. Where as you or I can be dismissed with no potential consequences to be suffered by the women we (hypothetically) would flirt with, if Cuomo is insistent, he can do damage to the careers of these women.
I think that the "incorrect" assumptions stem from the fact that Cuomo is very rich, and very powerful. You and I may think "I still got it" but if we go out and flirt with significantly younger women, and get shot down harshly, we will be embarrassed, and we will learn that we definitely "do not have it anymore". Powerful people have an additional mechanism that drives their behavior. To many powerful men, their wealth and power enhances their sense of self and their belief that they "deserve" to have the attention of younger women.
I have not been following the situation closely and ultimately, if the situations involved flirtation with no coercion and threats of retaliation, then I would agree that no laws were broken and likely, a resignation would not be appropriate. I do think that we need to keep conscious of the fact that we are not only dealing with a "dirty old man" type situation with Cuomo. We may be dealing with a very rich and very powerful "dirty old man" who feels entitled to the attentions of young women based on his position of power, which he may abuse to get what he wants.