Editorial
Weiner scandal brings out more unnecessary government spending
Published on Mon, Jun 27, 2011 by BY PAM STEVENS | MANAGING EDITORRead More Editorial
Favre, Woods, Schwarzenegger and now Weiner have all become names synonymous with sex scandals.
It seems that almost weekly another scandal arises and the American people have to hear about yet another ‘celebrity’ who has once again disappointed not only their fans or constituents but has also embarrassed their families and especially their wives.
It’s appalling to think that these men believed that they would get away with such contemptuous behavior. Unfortunately, I am sure there are many more who have not been caught in their indiscretions, at least as of yet.
While sending raunchy photos of themselves to unsuspecting girls or taking part in ongoing extra-marital affairs seems to have become commonplace among those who are rich and famous, it shouldn’t be tolerated by the American people.
In Weiner’s case, it took a lot of pushing from outsiders for him to finally resign as a United States Congressman.
I can’t imagine standing in front of cameras and having to admit that you have not only done these embarrassing things, but that you have also tried to cover them up with half-truths and excuses. (How do people think they are going to get away with sending photos and text messages in this day and age?)
My heart goes out to the wives who have had to suffer this humiliation through no fault of their own and the children who become casualties in the egotism and self-centeredness of men who think they are above reproach.
What saddens me even more is that we, the people, are becoming less and less shocked by these scandals, including me.
Case in point? When the whole Congressman Weiner scandal hit the news the thing that shocked me the most was that he sent photos of himself from inside the House’s private gymnasium. A gym that members of the House only pay $20 a month to be a member and Senators only pay $40 a month.
The fact that the photos originated from the gym was not shocking but the fact that we pay for that gym is outrageous.
This ‘state-of-the-art’ facility boasts two gyms with a swimming pool and is taxpayer subsidized.
Why can’t these men and women go to public gyms like the rest of the free world does or work out at home? Why should taxpayers have to pay for another thing they are not able to benefit from?
When ABC Nightly News with Diane Sawyer investigated this gym they were told that the “true costs are hidden and buried in various budgets.”
We should all be furious with these findings. When is the government going to stop wasting our money on frivolous expenses? Don’t these men and women get paid enough that they should be able to pay membership dues that will cover the entire cost of running and maintaining this gym?
It is infuriating to say the least and just a little bit sad that this shocks many of us more than the fact that Weiner sent photos of himself to young women.
It seems that almost weekly another scandal arises and the American people have to hear about yet another ‘celebrity’ who has once again disappointed not only their fans or constituents but has also embarrassed their families and especially their wives.
It’s appalling to think that these men believed that they would get away with such contemptuous behavior. Unfortunately, I am sure there are many more who have not been caught in their indiscretions, at least as of yet.
While sending raunchy photos of themselves to unsuspecting girls or taking part in ongoing extra-marital affairs seems to have become commonplace among those who are rich and famous, it shouldn’t be tolerated by the American people.
In Weiner’s case, it took a lot of pushing from outsiders for him to finally resign as a United States Congressman.
I can’t imagine standing in front of cameras and having to admit that you have not only done these embarrassing things, but that you have also tried to cover them up with half-truths and excuses. (How do people think they are going to get away with sending photos and text messages in this day and age?)
My heart goes out to the wives who have had to suffer this humiliation through no fault of their own and the children who become casualties in the egotism and self-centeredness of men who think they are above reproach.
What saddens me even more is that we, the people, are becoming less and less shocked by these scandals, including me.
Case in point? When the whole Congressman Weiner scandal hit the news the thing that shocked me the most was that he sent photos of himself from inside the House’s private gymnasium. A gym that members of the House only pay $20 a month to be a member and Senators only pay $40 a month.
The fact that the photos originated from the gym was not shocking but the fact that we pay for that gym is outrageous.
This ‘state-of-the-art’ facility boasts two gyms with a swimming pool and is taxpayer subsidized.
Why can’t these men and women go to public gyms like the rest of the free world does or work out at home? Why should taxpayers have to pay for another thing they are not able to benefit from?
When ABC Nightly News with Diane Sawyer investigated this gym they were told that the “true costs are hidden and buried in various budgets.”
We should all be furious with these findings. When is the government going to stop wasting our money on frivolous expenses? Don’t these men and women get paid enough that they should be able to pay membership dues that will cover the entire cost of running and maintaining this gym?
It is infuriating to say the least and just a little bit sad that this shocks many of us more than the fact that Weiner sent photos of himself to young women.
