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New York Governor Eliot Spitzer (D) has joined the always-growing society of politicians caught with their pants down. Albeit that his career as governor of New York was on a fast track to nowhere, his actions still sent ripples throughout the world. An excited buzz has engulfed American politics for the past few months. More and more Americans are following the primaries, realizing that the country needs their voice. Scandals such as Spitzer's latest takes away from America's progress as a democracy.

The United States has always served as a role model for democracy to the world. While our country's history is besieged with racism and sexism, we've turned a corner with an African American and woman competing in a close race for the Democratic presidential nomination. It always seems, however, as America takes a step forward, it takes another step back. Once again, the sex life of an American politician has chipped away at some of the enthusiasm for the progress of our democracy.

Even more disheartening are the wives of the adulterers, standing beside their men as they acknowledge the scandal. These women send a message across to the world that they support their husbands, regardless of the sins committed. It's cyclic. The men in power positions often stray because they have ability to do so. What further feeds into this feeling of invincibility is the knowledge that their partners will be there regardless of what occurs.

The United States is a leader in preaching women's rights to countries across the world, in attempt to get third world nations to recognize women as valuable and equal members of society. In direct contrast to this, the wives of the most powerful men in America turn the other cheek when confronted with a sex scandal. It is embarrassing.

While Spitzer's actions were despicable, they weren't surprising, even from man that has campaigned and preached ethics from the onset of his political career. Men in his position are all too aware of what they can and cannot get away with. While Spitzer's political career may be ruined, it's certain that after this scandals passes, as things of this nature always do, we'll hear his name again as he pursues another endeavor. In the meantime, Obama's latest victories and Hillary's relentless campaigning will have to take a backseat to the dirty laundry of another elected official being aired across the world.

If politicians only understood that the people who elected them actually believed in them and their ability to make positive change, they might think twice before they embarrass not just themselves but their country. Maybe. Or maybe that's just an idealist way of thinking.

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