O, For a faithful husband-politician

Quirks on the political trail

The former Catholic bishop, Fernando Lugo, wanted to do more for the poor of his South American country, so he campaigned for the presidency of Paraguay, and won.

A year before he became president, Fernando Armindo LUGO Mendez was the bishop of San Pedro. It was there he began a relationship with 16-year-old Viviana Carrillo.

A year and a half later he is elected President of Paraguay. A lawsuit brought the affair public and Lugo announced: "... there was a relationship with Viviana Carrillo. ... I assume all responsibilities, and I recognize that I'm the father of the child."

Lugo was looked upon as one that could bring politics to a higher level. The country's history from 1811, when Paraguay won impendence from Spain, had been one power-hungry dictator after another.

Last year Time Magazine likened Lugo to Obama, in his desire for hope and reforms, especially land reform.

Some say, what's the big deal? This is the 21st century. Lugo is simply demonstrating he's a man. Before pointing fingers at Paraguay's bishops and presidents, let's look at some of the stains on our North American politicians.

Rather than cast any more stones toward South America, I must go on record that I believe Franklin Roosevelt's secretary to be his true love, and during WWI Warren G. Harding loved a German spy. John F. Kennedy's habit of straying is well documented. JFK was smarter than Senator Gary Hart who dared the press to find him out, and they did. John Edwards turned his life into a train wreck, and evidently Bill Clinton was just living up to his Arkansas reputation.

But these guys are history. With all the good they did, they could have accomplished much more had they been more faithful to their marriage vows and their political commitments.

We do seem to let our sinning politicians remain at the helm too long. No ethical investigation, no replacing the bad egg, or demanding a higher standard for those who are serving "We The People."

What about those politicians still in office months after being exposed? They seem to have no shame.

Louisiana Senator David Vitter, had his wife stand beside him, as he admitted yet refuted having call-girl friends in Washington. Later it was found he had them in New Orleans also

Mark Sanford, who thought the Appalachian Trail was in Argentina, is still governor of South Carolina. His lies continued even after being recognized in the Atlanta airport on his way back home from "his soul mate" (his words) down in the Pampas.

From out of the West comes the thundering denials of Nevada's Senator John Ensign. Money, large gobs of it, wasn't enough to cover-up his adultery with his staff. He sits there proudly on Senate committees with no concern for having messed up lives and caused more Americans to look with a jaundiced eye at public representatives. Such selfish men as these who cannot be faithful at home, make it more difficult for those honest representatives.

Our governor may have hair like former Illinois governor, Rod Blagojevich, but he has not tried to sell a senate seat. (Rick Perry would much rather at least one of Texas' senators stay in Washington a bit longer.)

But this column about sex in the senate is not about our politicians who live and work in Texas. Texas has some "birthers" and some men and women who should take up another calling. Unfortunately some, like our own Rep. Mike Conaway, does not appreciate the yet-to-be health reform bill. He is against helping the least among us by opposing a single-payer system for everybody. Where is Molly Ivins when we need her?

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