Corruption, including sexual misconduct and sexual harassment, is not a Democratic vs. Republican problem. If you think it is, it’s because you just remember those who engage in it, who are associated with the side you dislike. Corruption is also not an Evangelists vs. Mormons vs. Catholics vs. Hellenists, etc. problem; nor is it a black vs. white vs. red, etc. problem. It is a cultural and human problem.
Nevertheless, you should be consistent in your philosophy on whether or not credible evidence of such misconduct (i.e., infidelity, under-age dating/sexual misconduct, juvenile 'locker/comedian-room' behavior, rape, sexual assault, sexual harassment, insensitivity) is disqualifying, and why. You should also be consistent in determining that what you find is "credible evidence" of such behavior, whether it be convictions, multiple accusations, consistent/similar accusations, corroborating evidence, etc. Also, refrain from clouded judgment regarding an alleged perpetrator’s party, race, religion, or other affiliation.
The prevailing norm is that most people really don’t have any standards, even though they claim to have them. They use such allegations only when it benefits their support of a particular candidate or position.
I am confident that if you created a comprehensive list of all the scoundrels who engaged in the behavior you deem disqualifying for public office, or a list of all individuals who have given such perpetrators "a pass," you would find them to be from all walks of life and in all family trees – probably even in the groups you hold near and dear to your heart.
Furthermore, you really do need those who are brave enough to stand up to corruption, not just after the fact – when sometimes more is at stake for all of us – but while it is happening. Sometimes, the person paying the bribe, or the person offering themselves up in an inappropriate manner in order to gain an advantage over their competitors, are just as complicit as the known perpetrators. So, while the person in power is usually the more guilty party, the person who knowingly and willingly participates in the corruption, to their advantage, does bear some responsibility. Of course, there are also situations in which the perpetrator is the only guilty party, and the degree of culpability is different in all situations, depending upon the conduct.
To that end, we all need to create a climate in which all can stand up to corruption in all its forms, and to step forward and be heard. On the other hand, we also need to create an environment in which perpetrators can apologize and be truly forgiven (when appropriate), or be held accountable (when the seriousness warrants it).
Loren M. Lambert © December 14, 2017
Nevertheless, you should be consistent in your philosophy on whether or not credible evidence of such misconduct (i.e., infidelity, under-age dating/sexual misconduct, juvenile 'locker/comedian-room' behavior, rape, sexual assault, sexual harassment, insensitivity) is disqualifying, and why. You should also be consistent in determining that what you find is "credible evidence" of such behavior, whether it be convictions, multiple accusations, consistent/similar accusations, corroborating evidence, etc. Also, refrain from clouded judgment regarding an alleged perpetrator’s party, race, religion, or other affiliation.
The prevailing norm is that most people really don’t have any standards, even though they claim to have them. They use such allegations only when it benefits their support of a particular candidate or position.
I am confident that if you created a comprehensive list of all the scoundrels who engaged in the behavior you deem disqualifying for public office, or a list of all individuals who have given such perpetrators "a pass," you would find them to be from all walks of life and in all family trees – probably even in the groups you hold near and dear to your heart.
Furthermore, you really do need those who are brave enough to stand up to corruption, not just after the fact – when sometimes more is at stake for all of us – but while it is happening. Sometimes, the person paying the bribe, or the person offering themselves up in an inappropriate manner in order to gain an advantage over their competitors, are just as complicit as the known perpetrators. So, while the person in power is usually the more guilty party, the person who knowingly and willingly participates in the corruption, to their advantage, does bear some responsibility. Of course, there are also situations in which the perpetrator is the only guilty party, and the degree of culpability is different in all situations, depending upon the conduct.
To that end, we all need to create a climate in which all can stand up to corruption in all its forms, and to step forward and be heard. On the other hand, we also need to create an environment in which perpetrators can apologize and be truly forgiven (when appropriate), or be held accountable (when the seriousness warrants it).
Loren M. Lambert © December 14, 2017
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