John Edwards: The Arrogance of Power

Politicians do not seem to learn that they can’t have an affair, play the family card and get away with it. John Edwards is the latest politician to publicly destroy his family and his political career. Edwards chose to run for president with the baggage of an affair around his neck. Why would anyone put himself or herself out there in such a public way, while knowing something like this could come out at any given moment?

In his public statement, John Edwards stated that, “I started to believe that I was special and became increasingly egocentric and narcissistic.”

I have not heard of too many politicians who do not believe that they are special and that is one of the ways they are able to get up in front of us and tell us what they think, and what we should all do. Edwards said he became “increasingly egocentric and narcissistic” meaning he was already arrogant and self-centered before his “serious error in judgment”.

It is the politician’s belief in their own rightness that propels them into the political arena in the first place, but sadly, this belief in one’s own rightness is the downfall of these same political figures. They begin to believe that they are above others, that they can do what they please because they are who they are. Every scandal in Washington from Watergate to Iran Contra to Lewinsky to Weapons of Mass Destruction to Jonathon Edwards destruction of his name and family are all based on this belief in ones own greatness.

It doesn’t matter what party they are in, they all have the ability to be ruled by the arrogance of power.

I am still surprised at times when I hear of a man in public office who made this same “serious error in judgment.” I shake my head and wonder what in the world they were thinking or not thinking. Then I remember that all have sinned, and that pride always comes before a fall. If any of us thinks we would never commit such and act, we had better start to look around us, because it just might be waiting at the door.

Jonathan Edwards is not the first person to attempt to hide his private sin in a public arena and sadly he will not be the last. His attempt to take personal responsibility for his actions failed, when in his statement he turned attention from his actions and culpability into a poor me moment.

In 2006, I made a serious error in judgment and conducted myself in a
way that was disloyal to my family and to my core beliefs. I recognized my
mistake and I told my wife that I had a liaison with another woman, and I asked
for her forgiveness. Although I was honest in every painful detail with my
family, I did not tell the public. When a supermarket tabloid told a version of
the story, I used the fact that the story contained many falsities to deny it.
But being 99 percent honest is no longer enough.

I was and am ashamed of my conduct and choices, and I had hoped
that it would never become public. With my family, I took responsibility for my
actions in 2006 and today I take full responsibility publicly. But that
misconduct took place for a short period in 2006. It ended then. I am and have
been willing to take any test necessary to establish the fact that I am not the
father of any baby, and I am truly hopeful that a test will be done so this fact
can be definitively established. I only know that the apparent father has said
publicly that he is the father of the baby. I also have not been engaged in any
activity of any description that requested, agreed to or supported payments of
any kind to the woman or to the apparent father of the baby.

It is inadequate to say to the people who believed in me that I am
sorry, as it is inadequate to say to the people who love me that I am sorry. In
the course of several campaigns, I started to believe that I was special and
became increasingly egocentric and narcissistic. If you want to beat me up —
feel free. You cannot beat me up more than I have already beaten up myself. I
have been stripped bare and will now work with everything I have to help my
family and others who need my help.

Edwards' statement admitting affair. By The Associated Press

Funny that Edwards once believed that 99% honesty was ever enough. Edwards attempt at righting his actions only shows that his struggle with his egocentric and narcissistic behavior is not yet complete. A full moment of true humility, not blaming a “supermarket tabloid” is the only way he will ever get rid of his own idea that he is “special” or above the morals and values of everyone else.