It speaks volumes about the state of our country when a drug addict, an illegal drug trafficker, and someone who dodged being drafted in the Vietnam War by claiming an anal cyst as a disqualifying medical condition is the voice of one of our political parties. In fact, this person has recently dared to challenge our President to a debate, implying that the two men are equal in importance. The arrogance is staggering, however, it makes me think about what a double standard there is for political relevance between the two major parties in our country.
Two of our brightest stars, John Edwards and Eliot Spitzer, were brought down from their political careers by extra-marital affairs. Their behavior was reprehensible, but not uncommon in our society. These men had brilliant careers in government, with many accomplishments during their elected terms in office. Today, because of their indiscretions, both are pariahs in their own party, never to be seen in the light of day.
On the other hand, David Vitter, a standing US Senator, admitted to exactly the same offense as Governor Spitzer and still holds his office. In fact, he is one of the standard bearers of his party. Tom DeLay, forced to leave his office in disgrace due to multiple scandals and probably because everyone who ever worked for him is currently in jail or on parole, is still polluting my television screen with his tired, antiquated rhetoric. The current leader of the Republican Party was convicted of getting his maid to traffic illegal OxyContin to feed his habit (though he never served any jail time).
How is it that there is such a difference in the standard that the parties keep? How can the Republican Party have any credibility in any of their arguments when this is the standard of character that they foster in their representatives? Why do we vilify our politicians who make mistakes in their personal lives that are unrelated to their job performance?
The only way that this illogical dynamic can exist is when the media gives equivalence between a drug-addled talk show host draft dodger and the Harvard and Princeton educated, family oriented, constitutional law professor that just happens to be the legitimately elected President of the United States.
That is the only way this can be possible.
Make media consolidation illegal again.