I have been warned by my peers, friends, and family. “If you go into politics, you’ll never have a private life again.”
So here I am, prepared to announce my candidacy for U.S. Congress later this month. Why would I do this?
I’m stepping out into the public limelight because no one else from my generation in our District is going to do it. It is something that needs to be done, for my children and their children. It is a tough decision, but one that is worth the fight and the risk.
Having said this, I have noticed a growing trend in American politics, from locally elected officials to those on the national stage. I was shocked, as many of you were, when it was uncovered yesterday that New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer was tied to a prostitution ring in Washington, D.C. What I find even more shocking was that in his public apology made yesterday over public airwaves, Gov. Spitzer said, “Today, I want to briefly address a private matter.”
To hear the entire apology with commentary, click here.
I suppose it all started with former President Bill Clinton’s moral mishap in the White House and continues to move through a post-modern period of thinking that somehow, some way, the politician can remove him or herself from their elected public office position when they engage in so-called inappropriate privatematters. Had Gov. Spitzer engaged in prostitution as a citizen, and not an elected official, it would have been private matter. Private, unless he had committed a crime, which would then make it a public offense.
I am a firm believer that when a person is elected to an office, they are the chief citizen of that locality, district, state, or country. Their actions are a direct reflection of the people they represent, because the people chose them. It is a privilege to serve in public office, and candidates as well as elected officials should remember this fact.
Here in Detroit we find another moral lapse in judgement. Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick cheated on his wife and used public property, and possibly tax payer dollars, to facilitate his infidelity. This is not only dreadful, but unacceptable. And with unacceptable behavior comes appropriate punishment.
I remember as a child standing in the corner when I had done something wrong. I always repented, asking for forgiveness of my parents. In many ways, I think I asked for grace and mercy so that I could avoid the corner. It wasn’t until after I spent my required sentence in the corner that I was truly sorry. Before the punishment, I was sorry I got caught. After the punishment, I was sorry I had done something wrong because it made me feel the guilt of my wrong doing.
Politicians who commit infidelity while in office are guilty of abandoning the trust of their spouse, their children, and their constituents. It is not a private matter, but a very public matter. We should be quick to forgive when asked, but forgiveness does not mean there should be no form of punishment or repercussions for their actions.
Gov. Spitzer and Mayor Kilpatrick have asked for forgiveness,andhey should be forgiven. But they should both resign from office. If they don’t, they should be forced from office by other means.
Finally, perhaps politicians should take a lesson from the Rev. Billy Graham who always traveled with his wife at his side in order to resist temptation. As a popular preacher and evangelist, Graham must have been under tremendous pressure to maintain a right relationship, not only with God, but with his wife and family. This is sound advice to take.
As your Congressman, I’ll strive to represent the voters of Michigan’s 12th District in a manner that is honorable, moral, and reflective of traditioanl family values we all hold dear.
My name is Bert Copple, and I’m ready to be your Congressman.
HOPE. FAITH. CHANGE in 2008!
