The Challenge Dividend: Spitzer: A Bully Gets His Due

I believe Eliot Spitzer's fall can best be described by Shakespeare's quote in Hamlet: "hoist by one's own petard." Since before the ancient Greek tragedies, likely since humans first huddled around fires together at night, we have been attracted by stories of the hero who falls because of his own arrogance. News of Eliot Spitzer's frequent use of an escort service are just the most recent example of a lesson we need to constantly re-learn as a society.

Before this week my opinion on Spitzer was mixed. On one hand, I was attracted by his stance as a defender of the little guy - a do-gooder who served as a challenging check on abuses of power by both business and government. Over time, however, I began to see another side of the story, as he seemed more reckless and aggressive in his approach. I started to frame him as an ambitious careerist who wanted a shot at the presidency some day.

Now, as the story unfolds we see the real man behind the heroic facade. First, we discovered that this man felt free to defile laws that he vigorously prosecuted and swore to defend. His use of prostitutes defiled his pledge to his wife and family, in turn embarrassing and harming them for life. Another innocent wife is paraded in front of reporters in a "show of support" because a husband couldn't keep his fly zipped. Further details about his "odd requests" to the service will further sully his family as transcripts go public.

Now, as Spitzer's power quickly ~~shrinks,~~ is gone, other sources - who were previously hushed by fear of retribution - are divulging how Spitzer bullied his way through life. Spitzer often made false charges, used press leaks and brought threats of prosecution to reach settlements and quiet critics. Spitzer was nothing but a bully.

One of the top 5 quotes in the 2 years I have been writing this blog is "absolute power corrupts absolutely," and once again it holds true here. Spitzer had free reign as a prosecutor to go after targets, and almost no one could check him. This power naturally led to abuse, and while he bagged a few bad guys, there are innocents he soiled as well.

I am glad that Spitzer is going down because of his own arrogance. It prevents our society from suffering from more of his unchecked grab for and use of power. And like the ancient Greek and Shakespearian tragedies, his story reminds us to challenge tyrants, stay humble, and keep our word.