Shall We Simply Damn Sam And Let Others Off the Hook?

Is lying to the voters the moral equivalent of perjury? Shall it receive a similar penalty, a lesser one, or are we inclined to wink and turn the other cheek?

Sam Adams Courtesy: wikipedia

(SALEM, Ore.) - Politics is seldom a game following the rules of Fair Play. Some mean predators lurk in the bushes, no pun intended. The current case concerning Portland Mayor Sam Adams indeed raises a host of ethical issues.

Yours truly was once a pre-law student but never got formal legal training, so I cannot profess to be a legal expert. My bag is ethics. In law, it is called jurisprudence.

The apparent allegations against Mayor Adams was a failure in integrity. He admits he lied to the voters to cover up a sexual relationship with a young man. It took a thorough probe by a reporter before this misdeed--not telling the truth--came to light.

Thus, the question occurs: If we damn Sam for lying in a political campaign, shall we not condemn and/or punish others if they tweak the truth and follow in the steps of Pinocchio? Does the proverb of "What's good for the goose.." apply to all candidates for office?

This begs for an answer.

A few years back, we can recall the Lewinsky case and how it affected ex-President Bill Clinton. "I never had sex with that women", he faintly proclaimed. Then the old bubble burst, and the public found out this was a self-protective lie. He faced an impeachment because he had sworn statements to that effect which soon unraveled.

So we now ask: Is lying to the voters the moral equivalent of perjury? Shall it receive a similar penalty, a lesser one, or are we inclined to wink and turn the other cheek?

If we are serious about applying one-size-fits-all, our Legislature needs a gentle prod to enact timely legislation so that voters have "consumer protection" at the ballot box.

Otherwise, we find ourselves boxed in. A political coffin seems in order.

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Note: Lee Coyne is a retired reporter who once covered the NY State Legislature in its activities. He holds a graduate degree in Public Affairs.

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