Political Scandals

Almost daily, the media serves up another political scandal. Are politicians of our time more corrupt than those of the past?

There seem to be four possible answers:

1. Yes, they are.
2. The media, which must bring us news 24-7, sensationalizes trivia.
3. We have changed the ethical standards under which we judge our politicians.
4. The infighting between the two parties and between the far left and far right radical groups uses this trivia to further taint those whom they oppose and wish out of office.

I am inclined toward the third, maybe the fourth. It seems we, through the media, often see and revel in the titillating trivial ethical lapses of our political leaders. Lapses such as sexual dalliances, that are not pertinent to their political duties. Are we expecting too much of those humans who become our political leaders? I suspect so.

Of course, I have no respect or sympathy for those who are corrupt in the performance of their elected duties - they should be punished. I am addressing such scandals as the Monica Lewinsky case, Obama attending the church of a radical minister, politicians who hire undocumented housekeepers and so on.

Historians frequently bring to light the weaknesses of our past leaders so they were not as pure as we seem to expect of our present leaders. Their minor foibles did not prevent them from doing their duties and being outstanding leaders; nor has our respect for their leadership diminished, as they become known. I am sure, at the time, reporters were aware of such inconsequential weaknesses, they just did not consider them pertinent.

What do you think?