« Secret Gifter | Main | The Rabbi and the Priest »
Scandal!
28 · Sep · 2006
Very early this morning I lay in bed unable to sleep and I was going over a conversation Mike and I had last weekend about our plan to control the world. Actually, we were discussing what kind of legacy we want to leave behind for our children. As in, how can we contribute to make the world a better place for August and generations after her?
It’s easy to cite all the small things we do like recycling, voting, working to buy a hybrid vehicle, signing petitions that support our preference for change and giving to charity. But we believe we need a plan that includes more than that. Questions that came to my mind were:
Where will we take our children on family vacations to broaden their world view?
Should I go back to school?
When would be a good time to officially revive PAUSE, my dream non-profit?
And lastly, will Mike or I run for a public office?
We asked ourselves that question out loud as we walked around Pacific Beach. The first thing I said was that I cannot run for public office because of a past that I fear is too controversial. Mike said he might have the same problem. But isn’t that strange? Compared to current world leaders, my former life is not that big of a deal. As for Mike’s potential “scandal”… Well, let’s just say it’s been done before and we haven’t impeached anybody yet.
But this got me wondering about your feelings on this. What is a deal breaker for you when you vote someone into public office? Is the personal life of a public official public or personal? What bearing does someone’s past life have on one’s current integrity?
I’m going to name some things that have caused scandal in the past and I’d like you guys to tell me which of these, if any are the “deal breakers” for your vote.
Recovering alcoholic
Recovering drug addict (prescription or otherwise)
Bad credit
Average academic record
Adultery
Parenting a child out of wedlock
Homosexuality
Sex tape
Naturalized citizenship
No prior political experience
Posted by Penny Rene at September 28, 2006 09:31 AM
Trackback Pings
TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://www.pennyrene.com/movabletype/mt-tb.cgi/98
Comments
None of those are deal breakers. But if I knew the whole story, I'd probably not vote for someone who I saw was not remorseful for their previous lack of integrity.
On a different note, I'm finding my evenings consist of the newest NBC drama rather than something productive. Keep me in the loop on PAUSE, I'd still like to contribute to society.
And again, when you or Mike decide to run for public office (and can afford to pay me a minimal amount) I'll move next door and start to SPIN SPIN SPIN!
Posted by: Jake on September 28, 2006 09:49 AM
I don't really think any of these are deal breakers. What would be is if, let's say, they parented a child out of wedlock and refused to accept responsibility for the child or refused to offer any support to that child. What a person has done in the past, to me, is irrelevant (barring killing another human). Past mistakes happen to everyone. I would be more cautious of a person who has a "perfect" past.
I also don't really think that a person's personal life should be issue. The only thing I would care about is a criminal record. And that would be a deal breaker for me.
Posted by: Larry on September 28, 2006 11:01 AM
None of these are deal breakers for me cause they are all personal but if they didnt learn anything then it is a deal breaker...or if there was domestic violence or violence against animals or children. that is a deal breaker!
Posted by: alexis on September 28, 2006 11:03 AM
A person's past plays a part in their life, as it determines who they are, in actions, words, and how they have grown as an individual. To judge if they are suitable to hold an office?? It would depend on how each individual sees that person. Our own beliefs guides us as to how one can serve in a public office. Their is no cut and dry answer. The media has become a bigger problem in trying to tell people how they should feel. We are all different. As adults we should all be reading and discussing with each other our views and learn about those in politics. We all are responsible for our country, and to sit back and complain... STAND UP AND PLAY A PART IN POLITICS, THAT IS WHAT WILL MAKE THE CHANGES FOR OUR CHILDREN & GRANDCHILDREN! THEY ARE OUR FUTURE.
Posted by: mom on September 28, 2006 06:59 PM