By Kenneth Kowald
Redemption is a word and an attitude which seems to be getting a great deal of attention these days. Whether this means anything is another matter.
Most religions and secular commentators take the view that few of us — if any — are angels. For one reason or another, sometimes or often we may all need redemption.
It is, however, disturbing to have the idea of redemption played out in the political arena. I have always believed that this is a private matter. It seems that in our world today it is a matter of public contrition as well as public relations.
I will not go into the redemption of politicians in other parts of the country. We read and hear about them too often.
But since redemption is a theme in use by two candidates for public office in New York City, it is fair to comment about it and them.
Take Eliot Spitzer. This son of a large fortune was not a great governor. Perhaps he was a decent state attorney general, but that did not involve having to work with others. His fall from grace led to TV gigs and other stuff, but that old feeling that he was the savior of the world could not be subdued.
So he trotted out his family’s big bucks and was able to get himself on the primary ballot for city comptroller. Does anyone believe Spitzer will work well with others, as his teacher might say? There is no basis in his history to expect that. That could make for fractious times and not necessarily to the benefit of New Yorkers.
Why doesn’t he share his wealth and expertise in charitable activities that may have a good effect? Does he really need our vote to be redeemed? What a burden to place upon New Yorkers!
And take Anthony Weiner. A non-distinguished ex-U.S. representative, to be charitable, lastly serving parts of Queens, he does not have Spitzer’s big bucks, but more chutzpah, and that is saying a lot. His arrogance is beyond the normal arrogance of people who believe they are God’s gifts to the electorate. He was known in Congress for being a loud-mouth — and that is saying a lot.
But he wants to be mayor of the city at the center of the universe. Indeed, it seems that this Park Avenue South resident must be mayor or redemption will not happen. Another burden we must bear!
My father used to say, “A liar is worse than a thief.” Weiner fits that description.
Where can he go to be redeemed? Surely not to City Hall.
I imagine he has a book deal waiting around the corner. Will it be a tell-all? Probably not. We will have to wait for a sequel — perhaps a film deal. After all, there are some pictures that could be used, right?
Since he does not have Spitzer’s wealth, I will give him free suggestions for book titles: “My Life with the Internet,” the sequel “My Life after the Internet: A Possibility” and for the prequel “My Sad Life before the Internet.”
Ah, but there is money in redemption, if you know how to play the game. Can we doubt Weiner knows?
A late friend of ours, a native of Broadway-Flushing, used to say, only half-jokingly, “No one upholds standards anymore.” And to think that when Adlai Stevenson ran for president, much of the public was shocked that he had divorced his wife. How prudish we were in those days!
I wish Spitzer and Weiner success in their efforts at redemption. If both of them would go away, I think that could start them on the path to redemption. It would certainly be a blessing to all New Yorkers.
And then all of us can go back to politics as usual, which includes our own Queens scandals. Strangely, that becomes a consummation devoutly to be wished.
Go figure.
