MARK FOLEYS COAT TAILS…..

Well, we have all seen the stories about the terrible action by Congressman Mark Foley. Let me first say that the emails and instant messages he sent to Congressional Pages are sickening. This is an example of man at his lowest state.

Since the revelation of his predatory activity politics has gone into overdrive. Partisan politics has raised its ugly head as candidates have begun to use this event to sling mud at their opponent.

Democrats are going to try to make Republicans the party of perverts. Yes, that is a strong statement, but it is already ringing true as I watched the news talk shows on all the networks. Let me make it clear that members of congress, like Rob Simmons, are sickened by the conduct of Mark Foley.

Now that I said all that let me talk about what should happen to those who are in leadership who had knowledge early on about Foleys misconduct.

I believe that if an independent inquiry finds that leaders, yes Republican leaders, knew that Foley was soliciting perverted talk from Pages, they should not only resign their leadership post, but resign from congress.

It all comes down to the word “Leadership.”

A leader has qualities that rise above the average person. Leaders set the standards for those who follow. If that leadership finds itself in scandal because of flawed judgment it has lost its ability to lead, even if it still holds the position.

So what are some basic principles of leadership? Here are a few.

One, Leaders guide. They set the direction and help others stay on the path. Two, Leaders guard. They protect the weak and the innocent. If leaders in congress failed this key principle, they have lost their right to hold their position. Third, Leaders gauge. Remember, those in congress are elected by the people and for the people (boy, that sounds familiar). The best way to gauge your leadership is to look behind and see if anyone is following.

Over the month ahead as we get closer to election day we will be bombarded with attack ads from both sides We will hear candidates slam their opponents on the issue of the war in Iraq, taxes, health care, and of course everyone’s favorite, the sub base in Groton.

But the key quality for elected office is “character”. So I want to be clear on this. If my own party leadership is found to have covered up Foleys perversion, they need to resign or be put out of office.

I would rather have one Democrat with Moral Character, then ten Republicans whose policies I agree with, but lack in integrity. That also goes the other way!

Now this is not written so some can take advantage of the situation and lump all Republicans in the Foley scandal camp. Most Republicans, as most Democrats, are decent and moral people. Let’s measure the person running for office based upon their own record and character.

Remember, being a Democrat or Republican does not make you good or evil. That issue is up to who you are deep down in your soul.

Greg Stokes