Governor Sanford…
In 1963, from his Birmingham, Alabama jail cell, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. wrote the following:
“We will have to repent in this generation not merely for the vitriolic words and actions of the bad people, but for the appalling silence of the good people.”
I love how that true, prophetic paradigm has transcended time. I also love that there is no hesitation there, simply “good” and “bad.”
I have worked behind the scenes in politics for over a decade and in no other realm have I seen man’s most desperate and absolute need for redemption. Oh, not because of the blatant, gratuitous depravity of “the bad people” (on both sides), but rather the appalling silence and/or fall from grace of “the good people” (on both sides). And it is inescapable because not one among us is perfect.
While “bad” people for the most part don’t care about anyone but the lowlife in the mirror, it is true that “good” people can do “bad” things.
Governor Mark Sanford for instance is now in the company of many men. No points are given for circumstances; right is right, wrong is wrong and he has stated as such. Let’s see, there’s Bill Clinton, Newt Gingrich, Elliot Spitzer, (first name here) Kennedy, and suddenly I am reminded of the “socialization” argument against home schooling to which I respond “Do not be misled: bad company corrupts good character.” (1 Cor 15:33). I believe this goes to the heart of Dr. King’s statement and is one of the main reasons for this country’s lack of leadership.
Don’t misunderstand, Governor Sanford’s actions are his own and he will have to deal with the personal and political consequences (unlike any of the Kennedy boys who thought having an “affair of the month” was a country club requirement). That said, there is a tendency in politics to think that anything goes and as such, opportunities for corruption and/or reckless behavior are presented, taken and then start getting categorized, compared & contrasted. After all, isn’t Spitzer’s prostitution ring scandal small potatoes compared to Ted Kennedy driving a Capitol Hill secretary off a bridge, leaving her to drown, then complaining about water-boarding 40 years later?
So should we care if elected officials make uncontrolled, detrimental judgments in their personal lives? Absolutely…especially if those judgments evolve into or reveal an existing pattern of behavior. In general, if an elected official consistently makes decisions that will devastate the family he or she [ostensibly] loves for momentary gratification, how much more consideration do we think they’ll give to how their decisions affect we the people? My guess is not much.
Additionally, from that perspective, it’s not surprising to have some politicians vote the wrong way on a crucial piece of legislation for the temporary satisfaction of getting an “atta-boy” from the extortionists. Bad company corrupts good character. Tough to see true leaders emerge from that environment.
For the record, I don’t think that the last two paragraphs represent Governor Sanford’s situation, nor do I think that he makes the “Top Ten Worst People in Politics” list (closest he’d get on his worst day is # 536). Some could even argue that this situation may not hinder his ability to lead or be effective in the future. Generally speaking, Sanford’s politics are on the money and it is unfortunate that one, bad, personal decision will take many years to heal everyone involved, including the Governor himself.
“Shallow understanding from people of good will is more frustrating than absolute misunderstanding from people of ill will.” ~MLK Jr.
It was not one bad personal decision – that would suggest a momentary lapse of judgment in a set of particular circumstances; this was an affair that persisted for a time, time where the Gov was separated from the circumstances and had to face his wife, his children and his State and yet again CHOOSE to act inappropriately. It is a pattern of behavior, a systematic approach to violating sacred and professional oaths. I give the non-principled a pass on their indiscretions because they lack any principles to violate. Gov Sanford has held himself to a principled standard by which he asked people to judge him – he has violated – not failed – that principled standard multiple times with forethought. I judge him unfit to hold a public office and think he should resign BASED ON HIS OWN standards.
Comment by Tracy Coyle — June 25, 2009 @ 9:45 am
#1, Oh I absolutely agree.
Comment by TBlumer — June 25, 2009 @ 9:29 pm
Fair & valid points…and you’ll get his resignation one way or another (unless he switches parties in which case he’ll be hailed as a hero).
Comment by Rose — June 25, 2009 @ 11:00 pm
Governor Sanford you are a thief and a hypocrite. People like you are the reason no one believes in the Republican Party anymore. You have one set of standards for yourself and another for everyone else. You stole money from the taxpayers and now want us to forget about it because you paid some of the money back. You left the state with no leadership so you could satisfy your sexual desires and left no contact info so that in the case of an emergency the citizens of SC would have suffered the consequences. Do the right thing and RESIGN!!!
Comment by cincibaron — June 27, 2009 @ 5:35 pm
Governor Sanford compared his circumstances to King David, who, after his adultery with Bathsheba, continued with kingdom business as usual, inferring he should do the same. I think this was an unfortunate comparison, given the differences in time, place, and circumstances, not to mention that David had been appointed by God to be King of Israel, whereas Governor Sanford was elected by majority vote, based on declaration of character and moral values. However, what remain the same for all who sin is God’s invitation to repentance, forgiveness, and restoration. David responded to the prophet’s confrontation with repentance, and he was indeed forgiven and restored to an even deeper relationship with God. Nevertheless, he suffered the consequences of his sin for the rest of his life. Governor Sanford may best serve his people by resigning, for he has forfeited his right to lead. It would also provide him the privacy and time needed for soul-searching that might lead to genuine repentance, forgiveness, and restoration to the Lord he has publicly betrayed.
Comment by Sandy Sturch — June 30, 2009 @ 2:06 pm
#5, Amen sister.
Comment by TBlumer — June 30, 2009 @ 2:07 pm