Indiana's Mark Souder's Fall From Grace

By Douglas V. Gibbs

Recently, Republican Mark Souder found it necessary to resign. His claims to be a conservative evangelical Republican were found to be the ravings of a hypocrite once he had an affair with a part-time staffer. Oh, I am sure the liberal left is jumping for joy, for Souder is yet another one of those moralistic Christian types who preached one thing and did another.

I don't know which of my emotions are the strongest over Souder. Part of me is disappointed that yet another "family values" member of the GOP has fallen victim to the wiles of our sinful nature, and another part of me grieves because I know that deep down the man is filled with shame. As a politician, however, despite the fact that we are truly human and can at anytime run astray, we expect our governmental leaders to be who they say they are, and act accordingly.

Regardless of the excuses, or the "should'ves" and "could'ves," in the end we have to stand and yell, "Enough!" Either you are, or you are not, a Christian Values person. Either you have the love of Christ, or you don't. The falls from grace by these politicians tell me that the political cess-pool was stronger in these people's lives than their ability to place all that they have in the hands of the Lord. Though I forgive Souder, and I hope he finds redemption in His Savior, I am sick of seeing these people fall like pawns in a chess game when confronted with sexual enticements.

Perhaps it is all for the best, however. Better to have Souder, and others like him, fall now, then to be further along in their careers with years of proclaiming to be men of God, and then to really cause a big scandal with their inability to control their desires.

As for the Republicans who claim social values that are in place right now? All I can ask is that they pray often, and place it in His hands - Souder, Sanford, and countless others have already shown us that the flesh is weak, and the mighty can fall from grace quite easily. It takes more than personal willpower to combat the fiery darts we encounter.

-- Political Pistachio Conservative News and Commentary

Indiana Rep. Mark Souder resigns after admitting affair - Washington Post