Rick Raw: Vito Fossella– Another Political Hypocrite Exposed

By Rick Grant rickgrant01@comcast.net www.rickatnight.com

Ah yes, the exposed political hypocrites keep popping up like daisies. Former Democratic Governor of NY, Eliot Spitzer’s incredibly rapid fall from grace stunned his family, friends, and constituents. He was exposed through a wire-tap using the services of a high class prostitution ring-not once but many times, paying five grand a session. As a prosecutor, he ran an Eliot Ness-styled law and order regime, busting organized white collar crime bosses and prostitution rings. He then won the Governorship on a get-tough-with-crime platform. His exposure as a blatant hypocrite, adulterer, and sex addict inspired the producers of Law & Order to write an episode ("ripped from the headlines") similar to Spitzer’s case.

Republican Congressman, Vito Fossella may not have his own episode of Law & Order to continually remind the public of his downfall, but his level of hypocrasy is on the same level of shame as Spitzer’s. When Fossella was nabbed for drunken driving he let it slip that he was going to visit his daughter. The cop that stopped him looked at his address and asked him how come he was no where near his home. Then, not thinking about the ramifications, he told the officer that he was visiting his other daughter and family near the location where he was stopped. "Other daughter and family" the cop wrote down on his report.

It turned out when the press got hold of the police report and investigated, Fossella has a second family in Alexandria, his mistress Laura Fay, a retired Air Force officer, and their 3-year old daughter. The "family values" ultra-conservative Fossella had to confess to his wife, Mary Pat that he was leading a secret life for six years with another woman. And, he told Laura that he was separated from Mary Pat. Yeah, that’s the oldest lie in the book that philandering men tell their mistresses.

More seriously, Fossella’s affair began on a tax-payer paid junket across Europe. Although, Fossella apologized, he has refused to resign. Considering Fossella’s entire career in Congress has been devoted to passing legislation like the Marriage Protection Amendment and the posting of the Ten Commandments, and he voted no to funding adoptions for gay couples, his polygamous double life constitutes a huge conflict of interest. And, what about the commandment, "Thy shall not commit adultery?" I guess in his twisted logic, having two families better equipped him to understand the dynamics of family life.

These lying, cheating, mealy-mouthed politicians tell their constituents what they want to hear to get elected. Then they do what they want–such as cheat on their wives, have clandestine affairs with other men, abuse their power for monetary gain, and lie through their teeth as every word comes out of their mouths. And then they have the gall to refuse to resign. I say kick them out of their jobs. They’re not worthy of the public trust.

Look, I’m not saying that I and everyone else has not erred and done things for which we are ashamed, but not everyone is elected to office on the family values platform and promising to vote for conservative principles, then get caught living a lifestyle that contradicts the values on which they were elected. Hypocrisy cuts deep. In Vito Fossella’s case, it undermines his credibility. Therefore, he’s a number ten on my scumbag chart.