Analysis: Why do politicians cheat?

[sarcasmo]

Snip < Why do men in power — the ones on pedestals — think they are above us and can get away with cheating on their spouses, particularly when media scrutiny is so intense and peccadilloes are arguably more politically damaging?

There's a long list of those who thought they could jet off to Argentina, or cruise on the Monkey Business, or check into a hotel under an assumed name or use an escort service and never get caught, never have to come clean.

Snip < This month alone, it has been Ensign and Sanford, two Republicans who have mentioned as possible 2012 presidential candidates as the out-of-power GOP seeks to rebound.

Those dreams are probably over, and the double disclosures of infidelity also may have brought short-term embarrassment to a party searching for a new leader.

Said Todd Harris, a Republican operative, "If this was supposed to be our farm team, we'd better start looking for a new farm."














Link:

http://www.comcast.net/articles/news-politics/20090625/US.Philandering.Politicians.Analysis/

[lapfog_1]

1. Why do dogs lick their balls?

Because they can.

[valerief]

2. From the Duh files: because they can. nt

[NOW tense]

3. Technically most of them use the

different zip code rule, so it doesn't really count.

[sufrommich]

4. I doubt that politicians cheat any more than the

rest of society does, the difference is that they live in a fish bowl and pontificate on other peoples morals.

[sarcasmo]

5. When you preach the family values you deserve to be in a fish bowl.

[sufrommich]

6. I agree. That "family values" schtick will get you every time. nt

[MicaelS]

8. I disagree

I think the type of person attracted to a political career is exactly the type of person more inclined to cheat because of their narcissism. I think this explains it:

These are men who love themselves deeply, need to be recognized and relish approval. These are men who adore getting praise and who often are surrounded by swarms of sycophants. These are men who, in some cases, need to exercise power and sometimes can become drunk from it. These are men who think the rules don't apply to them and who think they're untouchable.

As leaders, these are also the type of men who are likely to break promises, manipulate and cut corners. They probably are big risk-takers. And they're prone to thinking of themselves first.

Ever heard of a politician who kept 100% of the promises he made? I haven't.

[Lancer]

13. I agree with you, sufrommich.

We've always held our leaders to a higher standard of personal conduct than we do ourselves, which is naive at best; hypocritical at worst. But what has set the bar so low in recent years is that it's so often the crusaders, the champions, the ones who carve out entire careers based on "family values", child protection, ethics, accountability, feigned outrage and tout the experience to "clean things up" who fall so far so fast.

[ixion]

11. as someone who is ardently oppsed to cheating

I beg to differ.

[sufrommich]

15. Well, most of us are opposed to cheating.

Consider your own circle of friends and how many have had relationships in which they either cheated or were cheated on. It's not a rare happening by any means.

[RaleighNCDUer]

14. Makes a great argument for the separation of church and state -

when it seems all the preachers want to in politics and the politicians carry on like preachers.

I don't give a crap what Sanford did - EXCEPT abandoning his position of public trust. At the same time, if you are going to rail against 'immorality' it's a good idea to refrain from the conduct you condemn.

[JVS]

18. Most regular people cannot afford the shitstorm you get when you cheat and your family dissolves

[sarge43]

7. For both genders power is an aphrodisiac. n/t

[Democracyinkind]

9. It's the spilling over of a work ethic to the domestic realm. nt

[RoadRage]

10. It's not just men in power & on pedestals..

Frankly.. it's not just men, period. Men & Women do it.. and even those who just work at Burger King or are the school janitor. You don't have to have a high paying prestigious position to cheat on your spouse.

I think a lot of the reason those in power do it is because they are adreniline junkies.. they like the constant barrage of issues, etc. And, they get bored.. bored with the job, the details.. and even their wives (or husbands). But, not all politicians do it... not all do it more then once.

This guy probably would have cheated on his wife if he was a Govenor, a Stock Broker or a Fire Fighter... it's not the job, it's the guy.

[KittyWampus]

12. Question really should be- why do Americans pay this much attention to pols private lives?

[sarcasmo]

16. Because the religious right has hammered the Gay community to the point that people of all walks of

Life have to call the religious community on their bullshit.

[JVS]

17. It's like scarface said "First we get the money, then we get the power, then we get the women"

They want to fuck em, they can afford it to get caught without ruining their lives, so they do fuck em.