Responsibilty & Political Leadership

(ed. Note: the Madison Conservative does not use specific names unless the person(s) are germane to the discussion at hand. We do not engage in ad hominum attacks of any kind. This post refers to the congressman only as a vehicle to create the parameters of the following dialogue)

“When in the course of human events…”

The spectacle that had been  swirling  around Congressman Anthony Weiner – (D-NY) for the past two weeks is  a classic study in the paradigm of public service in the era of the twenty-four hour media cycle and the age of the social network .

The conduct and actions of Congressman Weiner are not at the heart of the issue. His behavior can be branded in many ways, but there has been no evidence of illegality in what he has done. The claim of misconduct is only in the context of the House rules.

So the question begs to be asked and answered. Exactly what was the scope of the congressman’s transgressions and should he have resigned?

The actions taken by the Mr. Weiner were not criminal. They should remain within the realm of his marriage; his wife and family were the only people hurt by his personal choices.

There are politicians who look at personal misconduct solely within the framework of short term political gain. Hyperbolic claims of outrage are ridiculous. Adults do stupid things; stupidity does not necessarily equate with criminality.

So he should not have resigned if that decision was based upon any sense or supposition of illegality.

The heart of the issue, however, is that he should not have had the time to deliberate his fate as the scandal unfolded. Leaders of his own party publicly suggested he resign, yet not one member of either political party brought upon the House floor a formal resolution requiring that the congressman be held accountable for his actions by his elected colleagues, themselves the elected representatives of the American people. The American electorate may be a forgiving lot, but they will not stand for politicians with poor personal judgment.

Therein lies the true crux of the issue.

Mr. Weiner should have been ousted by his peers, not for his actions per se, but for his lack of judgment. A member of Congress is but one of 535 citizens entrusted with the legislative responsibilities of a nation of over 300 million. Poor personal prudence cannot be tolerated, and once he acknowledged his culpability he should have been taken to task and held responsible by the full House of Representatives. The overwhelming silence in that regard is both telling of the general hypocrisy of those in politics in general and of the lack of leadership in particular.

The people of the United States must demand excellence and leadership in those entrusted with the stewardship of this great nation; to tolerate any less is a harbinger of national self destruction.