Should Jefferson and Vitter Resign?

The scandal surrounding Democratic Congressman William Jefferson of Louisiana is really a no brainer unless he is in fact innocent. Only he would know for sure. But even then, I'm sure there are ethical issues to be addressed. Mr. Jefferson was indicted on June 4, 2007 on 16 counts for charges including racketeering, soliciting bribes, wire-fraud, money-laundering, obstruction of justice, and conspiracy. Mr. Jefferson pleaded not guilty to the charges on June 8, 2007. I still believe in "innocent until proven guilty," but the evidence sure doesn't look good for Mr. Jefferson.

The scandal involving Republican Senator David Vitter of Louisiana is a bit more complicated. Mr. Vitter offered a public apology on July 9, 2007, for events involving solicitation of an illegal escort service. Phone records show that Mr. Vitter's number was called five times at his request from October 1999 to February 2001. And recent accusations by a New Orleans brothel allege that Mr. Vitter was a paying customer in the 1990s. Apparently, the statutes of limitations have expired, so it is unlikely that Mr. Vitter will face any criminal charges such as adultery or soliciting prostitutes. If that were the end of the story, I could easily say that Mr. Vitter should remain in office. However, some of Mr. Vitter's past statements bring into question the legitimacy of his integrity.

People make mistakes, and it's okay to make mistakes. It's also okay to make mistakes, learn from them, and then help others from making such errors. It's even okay to claim family values and make mistakes. But one should be careful about condemning others for their mistakes. In 1998, at the height of the Lewinsky Scandal, Mr. Vitter told the Atlanta Journal Constitution that extramarital affairs were grounds for resignation. If an extramarital affair is grounds for resignation, isn't soliciting prostitutes also grounds for resignation? If you are going to preach, be careful what you say.

Mr. Vitter has also been a diligent opponent of same-sex marriage. While running for US Senator of Louisiana in 2004, Mr. Vitter released the following statement on protecting the sanctity of marriage: "This is a real outrage. The Hollywood left is redefining the most basic institution in human history, and our two U.S. Senators won't do anything about it. We need a U.S. Senator who will stand up for Louisiana values, not Massachusetts's values. I am the only Senate Candidate to coauthor the Federal Marriage Amendment; the only one fighting for its passage."

Well, I'm sorry to hear that Mr. Vitter and his belief in the sanctity of marriage are the victims of gays and lesbians seeking the opportunity to enjoy something Mr. Vitter values so much. As a Christian, Mr. Vitter should know that the Bible has a lot more to say about adultery than homosexuality. Mr. Vitter should also know that the Bible says the punishment for both adultery and homosexuality is death. Fortunately, Jesus gave us a new way of thinking and loving.

Having said that, it would not anger or even disappoint me if Mr. Vitter decided to remain in office. If I were in a position to do so, I would forgive him. Much the way Jesus came to the defense of the prostitute who was about to be stoned to death. Apparently, Mr. Vitter's wife has decided to forgive him as well. Mrs. Vitter once implied that she would cut off her husband's penis if he cheated on her. Mrs. Vitter made this comment in response to a question regarding the infidelity of Bob Livingston, a former congressman from Louisiana who resigned from office in May 1999.

For the record, I will state that I believe former President Clinton should have resigned and served time. Not because of his adultery, but because he lied under oath and obstructed justice. If President Clinton had admitted his guilt from the beginning, or at the very least when he was under oath, I would have been content with him staying in office.

And Mr. Scooter Libby also lied under oath and obstructed justice. To Mr. Libby's credit, he did resign. However, President Bush commuted Mr. Libby's 30-month sentence because he thought it was too harsh. As a result, Mr. Libby did not go to jail. If the sentence was too harsh, why didn't President Bush just reduce the sentence to 1 year or 6 months?

And Duke Cunningham and Mark Foley, former Republican congressmen, did the right thing when they resigned. Mr. Cunningham is currently serving 8 years in prison for a number of convictions, and Mark Foley received counseling after sending suggestive emails and sexually explicit instant messages to teenagers.

So should Jefferson and Vitter resign? Yes for Jefferson. No for Vitter. I wrote this post to emphasize the fact that we all make mistakes. It doesn't matter if you are Democratic, Republican, Independent, etc. All too often, Democrats try to separate individual responsibility from a person's actions, and Republicans try to legislate morality they don't always live up to. Somewhere between the ideals of the Democrats and the Republicans is a middle path. Buddhism, Islam, and Christianity all talk about a middle way. The Bible says, "Do not swerve to the right or left; Do not turn aside to the left or to the right." Jesus also talked extensively about love, forgiveness and the importance of not passing judgment on others. Sure, there must be consequences, but there is nothing anyone could do to keep me from loving or forgiving him or her, not even my enemies.

If you get a chance, please read God's Politics: Why the Right Gets It Wrong, and the Left Doesn't Get It by Jim Wallis.