politics and private life
Introduction
Imagine running for a position in a political office when your confidential medical records are released to the public. Let us assume that you have a previous history of a life-threatening illness which could be detrimental to your future career. Could certain private information that is leaked out to the public affect the results of the election?
Many ethical dilemmas arise when it comes to private information escaping into the media. Furthermore, this information could have a major impact on voters’ decisions. For example, during the 1972 presidential campaign, Thomas Eagleton ran for Vice President until the public became aware of his previous struggle with depression. Presidential Candidate George McGovern selected Eagleton as his running mate initially, vowing to “back Eagleton 1,000 percent” prior to the public announcement of Eagleton’s previous mental illness. Once information about his electric shock therapy treatment was revealed to the public, McGovern eventually chose Sargent Shriver, an in-law of the Kennedys, to replace Eagleton as his running mate (“Former Senator”). Although Thomas Eagleton was dropped from the election process, he remained in the senate until 1987.
Would it be fair for the public to base their votes on the details of Eagleton’s private life? Are the specifics of a politician’s private life helpful to voters? Could an issue such as depression seriously affect the success of a leader? How much information about politicians should be disclosed prior to elections and does that information affect a reelection? Scandalous issues such as racism, sexual encounters, illicit drug use, and alcoholism will also be discussed while addressing how these issues have affected the election or re-election of politicians. Is being deviant avoidable, and how much should a politician try to hide from the public?
Legal Rights to Privacy
The only legally protected privacy rights politicians have are all related to their medical history.
Imagine running for a position in a political office when your confidential medical records are released to the public. Let us assume that you have a previous history of a life-threatening illness which could be detrimental to your future career. Could certain private information that is leaked out to the public affect the results of the election?
Many ethical dilemmas arise when it comes to private information escaping into the media. Furthermore, this information could have a major impact on voters’ decisions. For example, during the 1972 presidential campaign, Thomas Eagleton ran for Vice President until the public became aware of his previous struggle with depression. Presidential Candidate George McGovern selected Eagleton as his running mate initially, vowing to “back Eagleton 1,000 percent” prior to the public announcement of Eagleton’s previous mental illness. Once information about his electric shock therapy treatment was revealed to the public, McGovern eventually chose Sargent Shriver, an in-law of the Kennedys, to replace Eagleton as his running mate (“Former Senator”). Although Thomas Eagleton was dropped from the election process, he remained in the senate until 1987.
Would it be fair for the public to base their votes on the details of Eagleton’s private life? Are the specifics of a politician’s private life helpful to voters? Could an issue such as depression seriously affect the success of a leader? How much information about politicians should be disclosed prior to elections and does that information affect a reelection? Scandalous issues such as racism, sexual encounters, illicit drug use, and alcoholism will also be discussed while addressing how these issues have affected the election or re-election of politicians. Is being deviant avoidable, and how much should a politician try to hide from the public?
Legal Rights to Privacy
The only legally protected privacy rights politicians have are all related to their medical history.