OK, let's go ahead and acknowledge that politicians are human beings.
And being human, they make mistakes.
The disclaimer is done. An elected official is not being placed on a pedestal higher than that of an ordinary citizen. The playing field has been leveled.
State Rep. Stacey Campfield, R-Knoxville, shared with his legion of blog followers that he is tired of the media (when all else fails blame the ...) holding politicians to a higher standard.
"Since when does getting elected make someone more perfect than everyone else?" he wrote. "I know I never got a cape. We are regular people with the same failings and shortcomings as everyone else."
Fine, but are those who fall into the "everyone else" category able to affect the lives of many?
Mr. Campfield's remarks related to the recent stir over an intern incident involving state Sen. Paul Stanley, a Republican from the Memphis area.
From published reports, Mr. Stanley allegedly was being blackmailed by the boyfriend of an intern who was working for the senator. These same reports, which Mr. Stanley said he is anxiously awaiting the opportunity to clarify when he gets the all-clear legal sign, alleged that the female intern, a student at Austin Peay State University, was engaged in a more intimate relationship with her legislative mentor.
The reports say photographs and/or video was taken, then seen by the boyfriend. A call was made asking for hush money, and law enforcement officials rushed in for the apprehension of the boyfriend. But on the way to the courthouse, the rest of the story came out. It seems there was paperwork required to move the case into the judicial system, and in that process, all sides of the incident went public.
Another politician straying from marital vows, you say, so what is new?
In Washington, this appears to be an everyday occurrence. A senator with a call girl, a senator with a campaign aide whose husband formerly was on his staff, a former congressman who goes off course -- all in a day's work. Mistakes and errors in judgment happen; that is a given.
Where the lines cross and it is more difficult to live and learn is when these same people use the power of their elected office to legislate morals and values.
Telling people how they should live their lives is part of what occurs in many religious groups and settings. The home is viewed as an institution where such training also should be taught and practiced.
But all too often those who seek to tell others how to live and use the power of legislation to enforce their opinions are the ones who keep falling on their swords.
Years ago as Washington wrestled with the issue of free-flowing cash into political campaigns, the answer was to enact more laws -- to legislate morals.
One U.S. senator stated at the time that if someone wants to violate the law or break a trust with the people, he or she will find a way to do so regardless of what laws are passed.
Mr. Campfield is correct when he states that politicians are human and make human errors.
He is wrong when he states there should not be different standards for those who are given the public trust to exercise good judgment in spending tax dollars and in setting the compass that directs public behavior.
If an elected official does not want to wear the mantle of trust, then steer clear of those issues, sometimes self-proclaimed, as to how the unelected should live their lives.
Mr. Stanley resigned last week and apologized for "my action and falling short."
The Tennessee Republican Party stated that the lawmaker "determined the right thing for his family and his constituents."
Mr. Stanley reiterated his "pro-family positions, moral positions -- whatever I stood for and advocated I still believe to be true."
We all learn and live by examples.
One should hope that those who keep falling by the wayside do not cause the unelected to lose faith -- not in those who are elected but in understanding the difference between right and wrong.
For in the end it is all about trust.
To reach Tom Griscom, call (423) 757-6472 or e-mail tgriscom@timesfreepress.com.
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