Roy Ashburn, a conservative Republican state senator in California, was arrested while leaving a gay bar, then driving off drunk. Interestingly, Ashburn maintained a firm anti-gay voting record. For instance, he voted against legislation permitting gays to marry and was against making May 22 Harvey Milk Day.
The man known for his anti-gay rhetoric was caught in a gay bar. He had little choice but to confess in a radio interview, “I am gay.”
So here is the dilemma: Should Ashburn vote according to his constituencies’ political views regardless of his own, or should he vote his own values regardless of the views of his people? The Sacramento Bee reported that Ashburn, “who has consistently voted against gay-rights measures, said his votes were a reflection of how the majority of voters in his conservative district would have wanted him to vote.”
Here are the questions for us:
* Is such a position hypocritical?
* Can a politician hide his views while serving the needs of his people? If he does, is it ethical?
* Should his votes reflect the wishes of the people in his district? If not, should the legislator move to an area that accommodates his gay lifestyle?
What do YOU think?
I'd say politicians cover their asses first, and that means appealing to their constituents, which is what he did. Hypocritical and dishonorable? You bet. But, in my cynical view that seems to be the nature of politics. I guess to really make it work you have to be a guy like Milk was and attempt to cajole both sides of the equation. Interesting questions you pose.
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