Monday, October 13, 2008

Hypocrisy, Mendacity and Unmitigated Gall

ABC News and Politico are reporting that Rep. Tim Mahoney — the Florida Democrat who replaced disgraced Republican Mark Foley in 2006 — paid $121,000 to a staffer with whom he had an affair.

According to ABC News, "Mahoney was elected two years ago following the abrupt resignation of his disgraced predecessor, Republican Mark Foley, whose lewd internet messages to teenage boys and Congressional pages created a national outrage.

The affair between Mahoney and Allen began, according to the current and former staffers, in 2006 when Mahoney was campaigning for Congress against Foley, promising 'a world that is safer, more moral.'"

"At the time, Mahoney's campaign ads featured a picture of him with his wife, Terry, with the line, 'Restoring America's Values Begins at Home.'"

Lately, it seems as if all my vitriol has been directed at Republicans, and with good reason. But this story illustrates my real problem with politics and politicians, regardless of their political affiliations, and that problem is gross hypocrisy. Look, I don't care if this yutz has an affair, or even if he pays off his mistress (so long as he is using his own money to do it). The problem for me is this sonofabitch pointing his finger at another sinner and getting all moralistic and holier-than-thou. Now is a congressman screwing a woman other than his wife less bad than a congressman trying to gay-bang teenage boys? Probably? Maybe? Who knows. Who cares? What's the difference? It's like Sidecar always says, if you live in a glass house, you shouldn't throw stones.

Run on your ideas, run on your record, run on your golf handicap, but if you can't keep your dick in your pants, please don't insult me by telling me you are some morally wonderful, God-fearing saint.

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