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I know in the Sen. Mendendez case the woman on video recanted her claim that he paid her for sex - but that there is still in ongoing investigation. This question, though, refers to all politicians going back to the Bill Clinton days (at before that, but I was not old enough to vote for president until the 2000 election). I wonder we, as an American public, care so much that a politician visits a prostitute. We know that people all over the world do this - it's not the world's oldest profession for no reason. In Europe this outrage doesn't seem to occur (Burlesconi, etc.)
If you want to say that they are breaking local-level prostitution laws, you have an argument. But if an American politician was caught in Las Vegas (where prostitution is legal) with a hooker people would still be up in arms. If you want to say it's immoral, I would agree..but in the end who cares? As long as they do their jobs. We are not electing them to set moral examples - we are electing them to pass laws.
I am not a Democrat or Republican...I am an independent, non-religious libertarian (I am not specifically coming to the defense of Menendez).
I don't really care unless they're a "family values" politician trying to shove social conservative policy down our throats at the same time they're doing the same thing they condemn in everyone else.
I just do not care if anyone, politician of not, obtains any kind of sex they want so long as:
It does not involve children.
Is not part of a job interview or promotion.
For a politician to contradict their public stance on the subject.
I do not have a problem with libertines of either sex but I have only contempt for hypocrites. Paying for a partner is a business deal between them and none of my concern.
I think it is a big deal if you are a Democrat, but not if you are a Republican. David Vitter did all sorts of funky stuff with prostitutes and no one really cared, most likely because they hypocritical right gave him a pass. On the other hand Eliot Spitzer got nailed.
I think it is a big deal if you are a Democrat, but not if you are a Republican. David Vitter did all sorts of funky stuff with prostitutes and no one really cared, most likely because they hypocritical right gave him a pass.
Speaking for myself, I don't really care about a politician's sex life. I think prostitution should be legal (and regulated out the wazoo to ensure safety), so it would be hypocritical of me to condemn a politician for visiting a prostitute. That's a discussion the politician needs to have with his/her spouse...behind closed doors.
I'm far more concerned with the illegal/unethical business activities that sail under the radar while we wring our hands over who smoked pot as a teen, who got drunk at college parties, who cheated on their wife, etc. WHO CARES? I care about who stole a million bucks, who negotiated backroom deals that handed millions of taxpayer money to corporations, who was bribed to sponsor legislation that is harmful to the public, etc.
The issue with Menendez seems to be possible violations that include underage girls, doing favors for big donors, breaking Senate rules by flying around the world on the plane of one of his big money guys.
It is not a ho-hum, dude got a hook up while on vacation.
And anyone suggesting that Americans have a big issue with immoral politicans are myopic.
The Menendez case is a little different because of the age of the girl being illegal and because of the ethics violations of accepting the travel etc. from a donor.
If he had traveled on his own and sought the services of a prostitute of legal age, I wouldn't care at all.
But if an American politician was caught in Las Vegas (where prostitution is legal) with a hooker people would still be up in arms. I
1) Prostitution is not legal in Vegas city limits. Nevada says it can be legal, but a city can make it illegal.
2) Regardless of its legality. Its a stupid law. . .I wouldn't fire a senator for unlocking his cell phone OR prostitution. Both are stupid laws.
BTW - if the girl was underage (and age is defined by state law here) than the girl couldn't of consented to sex, and thus rape, and I would fire the senator.
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