Greek Style
by Cinderalka
When former New York governor Eliot Spitzer stood with his wife and announced that he was resigning because of his penchant for $5,000/hour prostitutes, he peppered his speech with the all-too familiar words of the fallen American politician in retreat, using words like remorse, atone, deeply sorry, failings, faith, trust, and sincerely apologize. Not so the words of Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich this Friday after being impeached by the Illinois House, and for that, you gotta love him. Governor Blagojevich has provided a much needed, and rather entertaining, contrast to the typical Christian response to political scandal.
“I am a sinner. I admit my sins. I’ll give you all the sordid details for $24.95. Please forgive me and help pay for my legal expenses.”
Eliot Spitzer and numerous other sloppy politicians of late have defaulted to the tried and true model of sinner seeking absolution through public repentance. These scenes are made even more painful to watch when the wife of said sex-scandalized politician stands by his side, looking remarkably stable for someone who is surely overdosing on tranquilizers. On the one hand, you can’t blame them for trying. The prevailing American culture of tell-all confession guarantees a book deal and an appearance on Oprah if one follows the Christian path. “I am a sinner. I admit my sins. I’ll give you all the sordid details for $24.95. Please forgive me and help pay for my legal expenses.” On the other hand, the saccharine hypocrisy of the exit speech and subsequent talk show appearances have grown tiresome. Christian values being paraded after you’ve been caught abusing power or literally with your pants down seem transparent and mocking of the truly pious.
Blagojevich has instead chosen a decidedly Greek tone, filled with the hubris of a protagonist in a Greek tragedy. He hasn’t taken a single question from the press in the month since the FBI arrested him for admitting on tape, “the Senate seat is a $#&@*!*# valuable thing, you just don’t give it away for nothing.” Regarding President-elect Obama’s preference for senator, Blagojevich refused because, “…they’re not willing to give me anything except appreciation. #!@* them!” Nice. But he has delivered two combative statements, insisting that he has done nothing that amounts to a criminal offense, ending by quoting poets Kipling and Tennyson. The amount of bravado he has mustered is reminiscent of Al Pacino in Scarface. Being taken out in a mob hit seems more fitting for this character than impeachment in a stuffy state house with a bunch of questionable minor politicians passing judgement in the hopes that they will not also be discovered.
Despite invoking a different era and ethical mood, the litany of moralizing adjectives being used to reduce him have been overwhelming. Politicians great and small keep trying to take him down by shaming him, but this is not a man who will be shamed. He will not be judged in the Christian way, and there in lies the lesson. For what he has tried to point out is that his supposed moral failings are not unique or all that extreme. Using power for the pursuit of blatant self-interest and advancement is a long-standing tradition and one that even garners a certain kind of respect in political circles. The senate seat is a valuable thing, and politicians around the country know it. So what can we learn from what Illinois Representative Jack D. Franks called the “freak show that has become Illinois government”?
From the President down to the state houses, we have elected politicians who have been unable to temper their alarming self-aggrandizement with even basic knowledge of policy or attempts to advance the public good.
Simply this – Americans have been demanding too much of the wrong kind of qualities from their leaders. They want, and politicians pretend to possess, a moral compass that rarely exists in people with as much power as governors and senators and presidents are entrusted. But what has not been demanded on either side of the political isle is what is so glaringly absent today – competence. The basic proficiency required to govern, lead, and inspire. ‘Rod the Clod’, as he is affectionately called in Chicago circles, is painfully stupid. He is actually unable to maneuver a deal for himself without cursing like a sailor or being caught on tape after knowing for years that he is under investigation. It’s the incompetent running around in snowy circles outside his Chicago home that should most deeply offend. What does Rod the Clod possess? Hair.
From the President down to the state houses, we have elected politicians who have been unable to temper their alarming self-aggrandizement with even basic knowledge of policy or attempts to advance the public good. President-elect Obama appears to break the Illinois mold both in intelligence and moral compass. But if he were to fail us over the next four years, let it be in giving in to the power of his office, rather than leading us yet again into the abyss because of his or his cabinet’s failure to do the difficult, thoughtful work of freeing us from the tragedy of incompetence.
Alka, you’re too funny! I love your suggestion to punish Blago Scarface style. I’m sure he’ll love the bullets flying in his direction, as I’m confident he’ll scream “come say hello to my little friend!”
Nice Blog!
You get the politicians you deserve.
Dont blame Christianity,, the French are so, but they dont seem to have to much a problem with such escapades……… nor do we up north — thank God
Fantastic! I loved it. Will pass it around to everyone I know. Keep up the good work!
Alka the fabulous, if only you were in charge up here on Capitol Hill.
Though, I have to add that you missed giving due to the man who started the modern sin-and-confess: Bill Clinton. I think that he pulled it off so smoothly that every politician in scandal since thinks they can too (and most of them can’t).
Indeed you’re right. BIlly the Great started this all off. I think he pulled it off mainly because of his extreme competence. Something I wish more of these politicians would try to possess and we, the electorate, would begin to value.
As for the Hill, can you imagine me trying to get through a confirmation hearing? That would be Greek tragedy and Mad Libs rolled up into one! – AK
I can’t believe I didn’t think of this right away.
As if to help Alka clinch high Johnie/Greek honors with here thesis here, at one of Blago’s few public utterances, he quoted these final few lines of Tennyson’s ‘Ulysses’
“Though much is taken, much abides; and though
We are not now that strength which in old days
Moved earth and heaven, that which we are, we are—
One equal temper of heroic hearts,
Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will
To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield. “
alka, congrats on your column! My reaction: wish we could be like France (in the old days): if it’s a bedroom scandal (involving two consenting adults) keep it there, or if it’s discovered, keep it in perspective. Politicians should be able to say “publish and be damned.” If it’s a scandal involving our tax money, innocent lives, etc., expose the crooks, and get rid of them! All the same, I so hope Obama doesn’t get corrupted by power… I worry!!
Hey, Alka,
Great first post. Intelligent, insightful work with a punchy style. I like it.
You’re right about the need for competence, but let’s also remember that corruption and incompetence are directly related.
When you give important government work to those who pay for it, rather than those who are really good at it, this is both moral and fiscal folly.
Just wanted to make that point on balance.
Good luck. Keep it coming.
Great stuff, Alka. Keep it up.
As you know, because of the ObamaPhenomenon I am actually interested in hearing and reading political utterances. So admittedly, the yes-we-can train brought me to your site and I have NOT been let down. What a satisfying and fun read. I’ll be checking in on Tuesdays.
Do I get you right, that you want to attack simony from the political toolbox side, where competence shurely originates?? I would not agree. Selling public responsability definetly is moraly condemnable>>see Martin Luther against the Pope. And: Blago is certainly not stupid, but diabollically intelligent. What he does not have is wisdom and a judicious judgement.
I was moved to to the bones last night by the inaug speech. If you want to top it with music: buy the CD Wynton Marsalis,”The Mayesty of Blues”, play no 4 “premature autopsy” and you will understand what driving and relentless energies our african friends have, not to speak of never ending hope.
cheers and abrazo
W
Cheers
W