Anthony Weiner: For the past several years as I have watched anti-intellectualism take over American politics, I have looked to you and the few others like you for hope and inspiration – hope that our political system will one day be rescued from the paradigmatic conservative shift we have recently seen, and inspiration to care and to speak. Your words, your passion, your charm, and your humility have singled you out as one of the finest representatives serving our country, and I envy every one of your constituents.

But now that is all called into question, because now you are revealed as a liar, a cheater, a scummy person. So I am in crisis. What do I do? Do I stand by you – do I try to convince myself that the fact that you lied to the country, and humiliated and betrayed your wife does not impede your ability to honestly govern? I can’t do that. You are a liar. It is in your character. So why should I trust you to run my country? But then again, when you are helping to run this country, you fight for the good and the just. But how am I now to trust that it isn’t all a farce? Or that while you fight for the worthy many in the public eye, you don’t fight for the greedy few privately? I am torn. Months ago when Chris Lee was caught up in a similar scandal, he immediately admitted to his wrongs and resigned. I imagine my response was something like “Yupp. Good on you. Get the fuck out.” And at least he was honest about the whole thing (or maybe trying to prevent a bigger fallout, but still). I don’t want to ask you to step aside.

I want the you above to keep fighting for what’s right. But I feel the you below is unfit to lead.

R. Budd Dwyer comes to mind. I believe he was an honest man. I’m thinking of you Budd.

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