Temptation Can lead to Corruption!

Politico‘s Executive Editor Jim VandeHei went on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” to issue a warning to incoming Congressmen that maybe more important than I first realize. He warned incoming Congressmen to beware of the temptation of Washington. In a nutshell, VandeHei said that a lot of Congressmen (especially unattractive ones) are easily tempted by the attention they receive from young women.

"Especially unattractive members of the Congress who have not had women show attention to them maybe since college. They come here. Power is an aphrodisiac. Suddenly they have women who are interested in them. It’s a temptation some can’t withstand,” VandeHei explained.

Although Joe and Joe were laughing it up, it's important to realize the seriousness of the problem. Because when you think about it, this problem explains partly why Washington is so corrupt.

Imagine some 45 year married guy coming to Washington with a truly noble agenda. He has a daughter in college, a 16 year old son who wants to be a mechanical engineer and a 9 year old who plays soccer. He has kind wife (who weighs 40 pounds more than she did on their Wedding day), a $340,000 mortgage, $40,000/year tuition bill and a load of stress working in the corrupt, bureaucratic nightmare that is Washington. Now, he's probably haven't had a beautiful 21 year old woman talk to him in the last decade.

Suddenly, after 8 months of the Capitol Hill grind, this gorgeous blond approaches him in a lounge. She takes an interest in his work, laughs at his jokes and they share some drinks. She makes him feel strong and intelligent and...manly. She does it with her feminie charms. She has an hourglass figure, long legs, just enough cleavage, a beautiful smile and prefect teeth. The kind of pearly whites you see in a movie star.

They ends up in bed with her and although, he loves his wife, he gives in to this temptation. after all, his wife in Michigan. And it's just him and this unbelievable woman.

Little that he know, this woman is a paid professional. A high end prostitute who works for an operative of The Generic Right Wing Group (a conservative think tank with strong ties to Republican Congressional leadership.) Maybe they have a camera in the hotel room. Or maybe she is just some random young woman who is turned on by power. Women often are drawn to men of power. And men are often stupid. Nevertheless, if someone finds out about the affair, it can be used to control the Congressman. I suspect that this is one of the many ways political parties keep Congressmen (and Congresswomen) in line.

So I second VandeHei's warning. Congressmen, use your head! The bigger one.