WHERE WAS I WHEN INTEGRITY BECAME EXTINCT?

Governor Mark Sanford seems to be the latest casualty by the call of middle-age sex, disregarding marital vows, his own campaign promises, and the Republican party's platform, (the family values the Republicans claimed to have which they accuse the Democrats of lacking). When it was harmful to the country, time and energies got locked onto Clinton's indiscretion, The Republicans somehow managed to justify to themselves that Clinton was a threat to family, credibility, and probably the survival of all mankind...they were so vehement in their zeal to destroy him.

While we no longer see Dr. Ruth on the talk shows, I ask where is her perspective when we need it. Dr. Ruth always prescribed do-it-yourself kits for those who needed them. Responsible sex should be practiced by all politicians, one would think. Discretion might also be handy. Practicing what they preach would be a lovely start, if they could understand the concept.

The truth is, there may be many whose interest is purely prurient but the more responsible media folk have focused on his lack of trustworthiness and the degree of unattractiveness with which that flavors a political candidates future. Lest we become too interested in the tawdry details, we must be sure to ask ourselves, "What do we really want in our leaders?" I for one ask relatively little. I'd like our leaders to be intelligent, honest, trained for the job they are undertaking, and perform it with sterling ethics and unblemished integrity. I would like our leaders to be role models...in fact, it is quite impossible to find many of those in public service these days. So far, Obama has proven himself to be a man who is still in love with his wife, a good and responsible father who enjoys being with his daughters, and a brilliant lawyer. He surrounds himself with smart people who, hopefully, lead normal sex lives for their gender preference. So far he is working hard and successfully at his job, in my opinion, though it is certain there will be those who disagree. Regardless, he is here to stay for another three years, so suck it up and let's move forward with hope, fellow Americans.