Un-freakin-believable Elected Officials

What is it with these people??? And what is it with the rules that govern the people who are elected (or appointed) to these governing bodies?

It's pretty clear that people who run for office are going to have their private lives analyzed with a microscope. What do they think? Once they're in, they can rip their moral fiber to shreds?

Maybe some friends and leeches will enjoy associating with the fat cats who have so-called "privileges" that can be fun in extracurricular fashion. But don't these officials know that their enemies and rivals will be watching with a critical eye? Doesn't it stand to reason that they may even pay for surveillance and detective work, call in favors, and/or look for people who are willing to be double agents? Once elected or appointed, all public and private behavior needs to be im-freakin-peccably clean as a whistle and beyond reproach! We're even talking stuff like making sure you tip 25%+ in restaurants in case a reporter talks to the waitstaff after you've been whisked away in your limo, fercryinoutloud.

So, all right, not everyone can live up to the goody-two-shoes image, and many of these guys are taken down on ethics violations because of some fine investigative work. Too bad, game over. But to piss all over your own profile by doing something public, like painting outside the lines on Twitter or elsewhere on the Internet? That's what I call being a well educated idiot.

Now we move on to the agencies or commissions or courts (or whatever) that have authority over the governing bodies and the officials contained therein. Why would it be so wrong, when these people are sworn in, to tell them, "Look, pal, consider yourself to be living in a monastery for the entire duration of your term, because if you do anything that's even remotely unethical -- we won't even mention illegal -- you're bounced out of office, no questions asked, and blacklisted from politics permanently!" And then be prepared to back it up with swift action when they dare to cross the line, or even step on it with a threat of proceeding.

Do this, and let's see who continues to run for office. I'm not talking about political parties now, nor am I opening up a religious can of worms here. There are creeps and slobs in every political and religious group, as there are decent hardworking mensches in each corner. We need the decent ones in office. Please. And then send all the emotional juveniles to a whorehouse or a cockfight or a floating crap game or wherever else they're going to get their jollies...and the rest of us can figure out how best to do what we need to do.