Friday, August 23, 2013

Good Riddance

It has been reported that San Diego Mayor Bob Filner has entered into an agreement to resign his office after he meets with the San Diego city council on Friday. Details of the settlement may be revealed after that meeting.

Good! But what took so long?

As I wrote on August 2 in Sexual Abuse of Power and  again on August 20 in Mayor Recall, this was a necessary step he needed to take to keep the continuance of government in motion. The city was becoming paralyzed as it tried to work through the scandal and couldn't.

Members of his party called for him to take this action including, Nancy Pelosi, Debbie Wasserman Schultz and California's two Senators.

The lesson learned here is simple. Politicians of both parties are not immune to violating laws the rest of us must follow. Sexual harassment of anyone by anybody is a crime of not only sex and power, but also of the violation of privacy. Each of us need to feel safe and comfortable in any situation, whether personal or professional.

Too many politicians have taken the view that perhaps they are above the law. Here is a news flash: you are not!

You are sworn to uphold the public trust and by using and abusing your power, whether real or perceived, is a violation of the office you hold or desire to hold, and of your decency as a human being. In my days in business, I have seen several people, both men and women, use their position of power in the most egregious manner. And they were terminated for doing do.

In the political world, you need to be held to the same standard as the rest of us. And because you are a man, you need to be held to the same standards as a female teacher, not to a separate, different standard.

So, whether you are Bob Filner, Anthony Weiner or Tom Foley, you are a disgusting pig and need to be treated accordingly. Just get out. Now!

No comments:

Post a Comment