Does Puritan America Forgivethe Sins of Sex-Scandal-Tarred Politicians?

Former New York governor Eliot Spitzer, once dethroned by a sex scandal, is now returning to politics. Spitzer’s story resembles that of Anthony Weiner, who was accused of sending scandalous photos over the Internet and has announced that he will be running for mayor of New York City.

If a formula for atonement exists, it has been found in America: nice and easy. It is simple: Try again. Let the public judge you again and see what happens.

Time is a relative variable. Eliot Spitzer, former governor and attorney general of New York, is known as the “Sheriff of Wall Street.” He resigned from his position as governor in 2008, after having confessed to patronizing an elite escort service. That was five years ago. Now he is making a political comeback and is presenting his candidacy for the post of New York City comptroller. Basically, his aim is to manage around $140 billion of the city’s money.

What ever happened to the scandal that knocked him off his pedestal as governor? Known as an uncompromising man, Spitzer declared that he was predestined to be a presidential candidate. This was a fearless man, who was not even afraid of the city’s influential and important people, whom Spitzer loved to intimidate with his own influence and with the softness of a “steamroller” — Spitzer’s own word. Spitzer asked voters for “forgiveness.” He admitted that he had “sinned,” but that he had confronted his guilt and was now a new man. Furthermore, he had never left his wife’s side, and that when one has experienced what he has lived, one “wants redemption.”

Only the voters can redeem Spitzer — the guarantee that his sin has been forgiven. Votes talk, telling us to what extent Spitzer has been forgiven. Spitzer fell back on the magic words in American politics: “Service is service.” He wants to “serve,” but America is the one that is serving him by re-instating him. On the other hand, running for the same position is Kristin Davis (what a joke), who is known as the “Manhattan Madam” and who supplied Spitzer with call girls. This is somebody who is familiar with the business world. Spitzer remembers his own battles against Wall Street’s profiteers, which he saw coming from a mile away. Let’s not forget, Spitzer is aware of everything that goes on on Wall Street, including past events and future happenings. The event that dethroned him is exactly what may now give him another chance. That is what fellow Democrat Anthony Weiner is also hoping for, after having resigned as representative of New York’s congressional district two years ago after another sex scandal: He sent photos of himself partially or completely nude to unknown women online. From his start as a young member of the New York Council to a rising career, at 46-years-old it seemed that everything was over. Today he is running for mayor of New York City, America’s second most important position, the most distinguished seat of power in the world’s number one city. It is a test: let’s see what the residents of the Big Apple will say. Are the country’s most progressive and forward-looking people ready to forget Weiner’s “big mistakes” and more importantly to consider the “hard lessons” learned?

Of course Weiner and Spitzer risk losing face, but that they are seeking the public’s approval is actually a sign, a sign that all of the following are real: the practice of puritan ideals, the pious values of America’s founding fathers, and the importance of having moral principles and being politically correct — in other words, the widespread conviction that in America “certain behavior” (concerning specific sexual acts) is not tolerated. However, this is relative, as this is only true up until the moment of redemption. And this is even more American: You have made a mistake, but if you show that you can do some good, that you still have something to give to your country, you will be given another chance with no strings attached. Often there is an enormous earning potential: After Bill Clinton, the king of resurrection, left the White House with the black mark of Sexgate smearing his name, he made $90,000,000 thanks to conferences he attended worldwide. He is regarded as the guru of the Democratic Party, as well as being considered the “people’s president” by the majority of the population. Even Gen. Petraeus resurfaced and now works in the business world. Along with being named professor at two universities (California and New York) he has been appointed chairman of an investment firm. Meanwhile, John Edwards, former candidate for the presidential nomination, confessed in 2008 to having cheated on his wife, who was fighting cancer at the time. He has since returned to the age-old profession of practicing law.

After the sin has been committed, the sinner must reconstruct his life, even under the public eye. Even madams have to reconstruct their lives. And this is also true for all cheaters and for all the people who use the services of madams. All they need to do is make amends.