The Drama of Spitzer

This is the problem these guys get into: they're so morally rigid and puritanical in real life (and on some level, so responsible for this priggish world we now live in) that when they get caught committing victimless crimes, everyone thinks they should be punished for sheer hypocrisy. But they shouldn't really.
-Nora Ephron, via The Huffington Post

Well said! It's about time someone addresses the ridiculous hyper-reactive way that we've come to deal with Politicians Behaving Badly.

When Larry Craig did whatever he did in the bathroom stall, was it surprising? Of course, because he seemed like such a massive homophobe. But as Ephron goes on to say, "It's one of the things you have to admire about Senator Larry Craig: he's still there. And who can say he's doing a better or worse job than he was before? And compared to whom in the United States Senate?" It's true - why should anybody have to step down from their job because of some naughty bathroom antics? And why should we believe that the other elected officials are any less morally ambiguous?

Of course, Spitzer broke the laws in several ways that I find abominable. And perhaps he should step down. But I can't help but find the Shock! and Outrage! almost as repulsive and laughable as the crime committed.

So here's the solution. In the future, all public elected officials will obey Erica Jong's new code of ethics:
1. Pay hookers in cash.
2. Think globally, act locally: don't cross state lines to get laid.
3. Don't use "George Fox" as a pseudonym.
4. If using a pseudonym, make up a phony address. Revealing the marital residence on Fifth Avenue is a bad idea.
5. Don't try to avoid using condoms with women named Kristin.
6. Never send cash by mail.
7. Be skeptical about institutions with sexist names like The Emperor's Club.
8. Don't yell at investment bankers on the phone.
9. If you are famous for closing prostitution "rings," don't frequent them.
10. While in public office, fuck your own wife -- unless you are in French politics.