The unethical politics of sexual harassment! As we live in such contentious political times, I will not identify the players in this post by political party. That said, although the voting breakdown for and against the following bill was largely overwhelming in terms of one political party, there was some bipartisan support by more moderate politicians.
Members of the House of Representatives of one political party just blocked a bill that stated that federal employees who have been disciplined for sexual harassment would not be eligible for raises. The bill was put forth as Congress was about to vote on a standard 2.6 percent raise to all federal employees regardless of misconduct. The actual wording of the bill was as follows:
“During the calendar year 2019, no increase in pay as authorized under this Act may be provided to any Federal employee who has been disciplined for sexual misconduct under chapter 75 of title 5, United States Code, or any other provision of law.”
Surprisingly, several women in Congress voted against the proposal. Of the male politicians who voted against it was sued in 2018 for having sexual misconduct with an underaged girl.
Though, expectedly, the male politician denied improper behavior, the shadow over him is disconcerting. The girl more recently accused the politician of allowing her family to live in one of his houses rent-free. In the detailed report, the girl claims the politician gave her a drink that knocked her out and that he abused her while she was unconscious.
Unilateral Bias
The party pushing for reforms to the “blanket raise issue” said the following:
“As Washington (name of party) continue their ill-advised push for unilateral pay raises for federal employees, regardless of their performance, (name of other parties) continues to ask (name of party) to amend their legislation…Currently, this bill treats victims the same as their harassers. That makes no sense.”
The politicians for the measure felt that those against it voted the way that they did for no other reason than party bias.
If we take a step back and personalize this issue, suppose one of our co-workers was accused by a victim of sexually molesting her when she was 16 years old. Though our co-worker might vehemently deny it, would it not have signaled some type of an investigation into the issue? I have known cases of harassment where, without an investigation of any kind, the accused was fired or terminated “by mutual agreement.”
In this specific situation, and again taking political orientation out of it, if a federal worker is accused of physically or psychologically showing a pattern sexual abuse why wouldn’t he or she be subject to an investigation including withholding of merit or cost of living adjustments? An accusation against a politician that he or she knocked out an underage victim using drugs and that he or she molested the victim in a car seems to be pretty serious stuff. Strong denials do not constitute innocence yet the Congressman accused in this case has received his 2.6 percent raise along with everyone else.
A Ruling Class?
Have we created a separate and unequal ruling class of politicians? A quick search shows an interestingly broad base of opinions with the media of the Left, Right and presumably Independent sources all saying the same thing. They agree politicians are a privileged class, starting with free healthcare, travel and numerous other perks not afforded to anyone else. In the broadest possible assessment, we have to view this as an ethical and not a political breakdown.
In this specific case, about a politician accused of molesting a minor but still receiving a raise, we have all of the elements of fraud. The opportunity of an alleged, powerful, sexual predator molesting a girl, and then having the platform to deny it; the need of someone like a politician to have sexual or political power and wealth; the ability to rationalize anything against the backdrop of politics.
Ethically, if we don’t expect more from the very same people we expect to lead us, what does it say for all of us, regardless of politics, when they disappoint us? The unethical politics of sexual harassment is an unending situation.
