Spitzer

It has been said that “he who lives by the sword shall die by the sword.” And in the case of Eliot Spitzer this couldn’t be more true. In his case it’s the political sword, as his enemies rejoice in his downfall. Most people, it seems, believe he got exactly what he deserved.

The illegal tools of the state brought Spitzer down, but think of all the harm done by Spitzer in using the same tools against so many other innocent people. He practiced what could be termed “economic McCarthyism,” using illegitimate government power to build his political career on the ruined lives of others.

Spitzer should be indicted and prosecuted. He should not be allowed to dodge the full consequences of his misdeeds. Prostitution should not be a crime. However, being involved in some way with prostitutes makes one liable to extortion and blackmail. A man on the way to running for President in a few years would be vulnerable. He would fear revelation of dark deeds of even a non-criminal sort to his family, to his enemies, and others. He could then be “forced” to use his high office's power to end government action against someone or to generate large favors to someone