The Axiom Of Respect
Individuals Demonstrate Valid Behavior
By Treating Themselves And Others Respectfully
And Respecting Only Those Who Earn It

Once again, former Sen. John Edwards is in the news. We didn't think it was possible, but with these new allegations, he looks even worse than before.

We all know that "Edwards admitted to his affair with Rielle Hunter in August 2008 after months of denials." ("Edwards Asked Aide To Claim Paternity, Sources Say") The paternity of Hunter's infant daughter was quickly called into question, and at the time, Edwards maintained "there was no way he could have been the girl's father, given the timing of his relationship with Hunter, and that he was willing to take a paternity test to prove it." Corroborating his statements, his former staffer Andrew Young said that he himself was the child's father.

Now, Young is retracting his version of the story, asserting that "Edwards knew all along that he was the father of Hunter's child -- and that he promised to marry her after his cancer-stricken wife, Elizabeth, dies." Young, who "never signed any affidavits or legal papers," reportedly "made [his original claim] because he believed in Edwards" and then "reversed his claim after Edwards [. . .] dropped [him] 'like a hot potato.'" Interestingly, "Young was married with children when he claimed to have fathered Hunter's child," which does not make any sense to us whatsoever. Apparently, he operates under the same moral code as Edwards, and that is nothing to be proud of.

Why do we forgive politicians so easily when they behave so horrendously? Governors, senators, members of congress, and even presidents engage in completely dishonorable behaviors, and all it seems they have to do is follow the "accepted script" and their careers continue to move forward. ("Why Are Some Politicians Forgiven In Sex Scandals?") Leonard Steinborn, an American University political communications professor, asserts that when it comes to damage control, "the wife's forgiveness is very important. [ . . . ] He has to apologize. He has to repent. That is this Calvinist framework that our society works under when crises hit." If this is true (and it appears to be), then our society needs a new "framework" because the one we are operating under (however you coin it) is utterly flawed: It lets dishonest, cheating politicians off the hook, pressures their wives to stay with them, and demeans their offices and positions.

Furthermore, why do politicians' wives, such as Elizabeth Edwards, stay with their unfaithful husbands? Commentators on Showbiz Tonight speculate that Ms. Edwards is staying with John Edwards because of her ongoing battle with breast cancer, noting that she has much more important things to deal with than his cheating. (Watch "Wife Deals With Edwards' Affair") We feel very badly for her, and while this may indeed be her reasoning, we believe that by staying with him, she is not treating herself with the respect she deserves.

Magna Sententia means respecting only those who earn it, which does not include dishonest politicians who are embroiled in sex scandals. Yes, the right thing to do is often the most difficult, but only when we openly admit our wrongdoings can we move forward in redeeming ourselves.

Anna and Ellie Sherise
Creators of Magna Sententia
Authors of Magna Sententia: The Logical Cure for Our Society