Candidate or Party?

Recent comments by some in the media are disturbing.  They want Louisiana voters to ignore the integrity of the candidates and vote strict party lines in the upcoming gubernatorial runoff.  Such advice is an example of why our society is like it is today.

One of the candidates, Mr. David Vitter is a pro-life “family values” Republican, but a hypocrite.  He is an alleged adulterer; actually, more than alleged, because he admitted to committing, as he termed, “a very serious sin” over a three year period.

But being a male such behavior is most likely condoned because as one of my friends stated, “Vitter is just one of the boys,” and “we just kind of expect men to do those things.”  Bet if husbands asked their wives if this behavior is acceptable to them, they might get a different answer.  Also, when such behavior occurs among women it is unaccepted by males and labeled as ‘whoring.’

I also wonder where these commentators would draw the line on aberrant behavior.  Would they blindly follow allegiance to their declared party if the candidate were a known wife beater, a known alcoholic, a former embezzler, murderer or pedophile?  I fear they might as long as the term Democrat wasn’t part of the mix. Thank goodness we have laws that would prevent someone with some of these offenses from running in an election. 

Additionally, some commentators are big fans of stereotyping, another reason our society is slowly decaying.  It must be beyond their conception that there are conservative Democrats, moderate Democrats, and their greatest fear, liberal Democrats.  These terms also can be applied to Republicans.  There are registered Democrats that vote for Republicans.   There is no one standard that fits all.

With respect to the Republican candidate, Mr. David Vitter, I suggest you view the original video footage of the news conference in which Vitter confessed his sin and note how far away from him his wife was standing while holding his hand and the look of total contempt on her face.  Two things I will never forget.  Do you really believe this was Vitter’s first time at committing a “very serious sin?”   He just got caught.

I always thought leaders should serve as role models for our society.  Something that is rapidly evaporating thanks in part to the advice presently being espoused by some regarding the upcoming runoff election. 

The decision is yours, party or integrity, and some may not be happy with either choice.   Unfortunately, in the past, Louisiana has always put integrity on the back burner.  Let’s think about changing that.