Help me understand

[The Straight Story]

If someone on the right cheats on their spouse we see them as a hypocrite.

If someone on the left does the same, we don't?

Does that mean we on the left see it as ok to do so?

Was John Edwards a hypocrite? Was Clinton? Or do we give them a pass because folks on the left in our big tent see it as ok?

Those on the right can certainly preach about such things being wrong, and then go and do it, and we call em out on it. But does that mean we see it as OK and when someone on the left does it and we can let it go because we are ok with it?

Either you think it is wrong to cheat on your spouse/significant other or you don't. And I don't see it as a right/left issue.

So help me understand why it is so much more an issue when someone on the right cheats on their spouse than someone on the left.

[Kerrytravelers]

1. What makes Stanford a hypocrite is his whole "family values" stichk.

We don't run around claiming we're the moral majority and that only we can defend true marriage, etc. etc. etc.

No one patted Edwards or Clinton on the back. We were very very very upset with them. However, they aren't claiming to be the moral majority and butting into and attempting to control people's private lives and their personal and private family business.

And remember, Stanford was scheduled to speak at the Values Voters conference. He has now been dropped. You can't claim to be the sole proprietor of values and moral, and then ditch your wife and kids on Father's Day and jet down to South America to get a little somethin'-somethin'. There in lies the hypocrisy.

[NYC_SKP]

4. +1 n/t

[magellan]

2. They're hypocrites if they preach family values

...and then get caught with their pants down. It just so happens the right is more often guilty of applying this double standard than the left.

[Flabbergasted]

3. Because of the Clinton Impeachment trial where they pretended they were the moral family values

crowd. Pay back's a bitch.

Of course it's wrong to make a promise and break it. It's even worse when you judge other for doing it and then do it yourself of course.

[Vickers]

5. Of course it's wrong, when *either* side does it.

But we don't hang our collective hat on the "party of morals" bullshit like they do.

It's like if you were walking down the road and saw GG Allin (RIP) snorting coke off a passed-out hooker, and a little further down the road you saw Nancy Reagan snorting coke off a passed out hooker.

Which one would you make fun of?

:shrug:

[BlooInBloo]

6. gawd what a stupid question.

[sandnsea]

7. How come women never get caught cheating

and doesn't that say something about female politicians and maybe we should consider "hiring" a few more of them?

I think cheating is one the most abusive things a partner can do, short of actual physical abuse.

[RandomThoughts]

8. I think its ok not to like what someone might choose to do.

But that's no reason to be mean to them or gloat.

I think that mostly because I am a hypocrite sometimes also.

[EFerrari]

9. John Edwards was beat up here for weeks, iirc. n/t

[Smarmie Doofus]

10. Edwards didn't do the "family values' demagoguery.

He didn't do the "defense of marriage" bit. ( As far as I know, anyway.) The aforementioned GOPers ( as far as I know) DID.

Doesn't make what Edwards did right. It does make it DIFFERENT.

Clinton's case has to be considered separately, seems to me. As there appeared to be a longstanding understanding between husband and wife that Bill would be non-monogamous. Wife seemed to choose to stay in the relationship on these terms... as the relationship benefited her in spite of husband's infidelities.

[murielm99]

11. Sanford and Ensign both screamed for Clinton's

resignation. They acted holier than thou.

Sanford is involved with the whole Values Voter thing. Ensign is a promise keeper.

I would cut them more slack if they had kept quiet about Clinton or said that it was an issue that was between Clinton and his wife.

Of course cheating is wrong. But many people cheat on their spouses. It seems to be a very common human failing. Usually, couples have to decide on what is next for their marriage.

But this is more about hypocrisy than adultery.

I am angry with Edwards for other reasons. He could have derailed the Presidential election. Imagine if he had been on the ticket as Vice President.

[Smarmie Doofus]

13. Exactly. Edwards behavior was INCREDIBLY irresponsible.

>>> am angry with Edwards for other reasons. He could have derailed the Presidential election. Imagine if he had been on the ticket as Vice President. >>>

Not hypocritical. Probably immoral. But definitely INCREDIBLY irresponsible.

[The Wielding Truth]

12. We don't push our values on others. We just observe our own.

Because we don't judge, we can not appoint blame or surprise, on others actions and we are not hypocritical. The RW has been,a do as we say and not what we do, party as long as I remember. They are not true to their beliefs and that makes them open to the obvious truth of hypocrisy. Anyone cheating on a spouse is wrong but if you respect the privacy of other's relationships it is more likely that your relationships will be left to your own discretions or indiscretions.