We deserve a higher class of politicans if we want a higher class of government. The need for a higher standard of leaders is what the founding fathers demanded.
So please forgive the following federalist rant.
We deserve a higher standard for our leaders! Not one that claims if you cheat on your spouse you are not fit to serve, or if you have done drugs in the past you don't have the balls to be hard on crime. The higher standard we deserve is based on one prinicple. That government can be a force for good for its citizens. This can only be done if it is managed right, and is lead by people who demand a higher standard of themselves then the voters do.
If we want to claim as a party that paying taxes is patriotic and an important investment in America. Then we have to live that creed not just say it. If we don't, we are no more different the social conservatives like Senators Vitter and Craig.
Now some of you will say that these are just mistakes of judgement, perhaps even honest mistakes. That does not matter, we as Americans expect more from a leaders. We expect them to be smarter than us, not better than us. There should be no mistakes when it comes to taxes, lobbyist contacts, or an array of a dozen other issues. When you hold public office or are in the public domain it should be your respondisblity to make sure their are no "mistakes". Otherwise you are no better than a tax dodge, no matter if your title is Senator rather than buisness owner.