Mark Souder and the case for grace

Well thought out and well written article

I must admit that I get real tired of the holier than thou attitude of those who push family values as if the rest of us don't have family values.

After they fall because of their infidelity or some stupid remark I feel sad and tired. "But for the grace of god" usually comes to mind.

I yearn for the days, unless it was kids or animals, your sex life didn't matter in politics. On the hill they knew was was running around, who was gay, who like the young talent, etc. Polite society didn't talk about it.

It was policy. I want journalism not the details of someones sex life. The stories were told and their was gossip.

My Dad worked on the hill as a farm lobbyist (small farm/family farm) for about 15 years. He knew the stories. One I found particularly interesting was when Johnson was rounding up votes for the passage of the civil rights bill he cornered a southern senator and said how was his wife and how was June (made up name) who was his mistress. This guy voted for the civil rights legislation. Did Johnson blackmail him - Yes. But that was politics - if you don't want to be "blackmailed" don't do anything that could get your blackmailed. But it never made it into the newspapers. We know now that Johnson loved the ladies. But he was loyal to his wife and family. But more importantly he didn't paint himself as a saint and set himself above others.

I never thought I'd miss the politicians as opposed to these gadflies they call politicians. In a way the old days were more honest. It was about getting something done. It was about honest disagreement and compromise and some arm twisting. Everyone knew they weren't going to get everything they wanted and they accepted it. They were collegial. No one would have ever pulled Clinton into impeachment over a BJ and he didn't set himself above everyone.

If I was a politician I would ditch the holier than thou attitude you could be next.