Political Values

I would like to comment on the fashionable belief that personal “values” can, and should be distinguished from political “values”. Leaving aside for the moment the questionable distinction of morality (or values if you prefer) and ethics from political values, it seems to me personal indiscretions and marital infidelity on the part of elected officials should be considered in the light of judgment. In these days of near omniscient media surveillance and scrutiny, any politician who would cheat on his or her spouse, surreptitiously sneak away for personal reasons,or otherwise deceive or mislead the public, exhibits, if nothing else, poor judgment. Judgment is an integral part of leadership. It is key in deciding what should be done, what can be done, and how it should be done. The risks for a politician carrying on such behavior demonstrates an irresponsible, if not reckless, sense of judgment. Morality and ethics aside, poor judgment is a legitimate basis for evaluating the fitness of an elected official. In regard to ethics, why should a person who is willing to deceive and betray the person closest to him; the person to whom he made a solemn vow of fidelity and honor, be trusted not to deceive and betray that great group of strangers known as the public?