Private or public?

The trend these days is for the media to go all out for a story and they will go to extraordinary means to get one, including following a public figure and try and catch him on camera in a compromising situation. They don't care how this will effect his family or wife which is the shame of it. However, that being said, people in the public eye must realize this trend in the media and be aware that they are going to get caught out eventually if they are into something in any way a bit secret.

Hi MsTickle, I think it depends on what it is and it's relevance to the person's ability to run the office they were voted into. I think that it gets taken too far. I don't think a person's sexuality really has a bearing on that ability. I also think that all the public involvement when a politician cheats not only makes it more difficult on the marriage but it also distracts the politician away from his job.

unfortunately, the moment you step onto the public stage (being a movie star or a politician) you really DON'T have a private life any more Anything, and EVERYTHING, you do should be considered as public, so if you don't want to be found out doing something wrong - DON'T DO IT!!!

Once a politician acceded the throne in the Government office he automatically becomes a public property. Must remember he is there because of the trust he earned from the public by voting him to power. He should be transparent and ever willing to accept public scrutiny. That is the price every politicians are expected to pay for being a public figure and enjoying the perks accorded to every politicians that run the government of the day. His private life now becomes public and therefore should always maintain a 'Mr Good' image to avoid mud being thrown at his face should he be embroiled in controversies regardless of public or private life.

I really think it has a lot to do with whether or not what they are doing. say if its something that effects the public or our money then they should have to answer. here we had a president that fooled around with an intern. I really dont think it should have effected us in any way. his wife was the one it had to be bothering. i really think it was none of our business. but he was nearly impeached because of it. i think it should have been private. as it didnt effect us except for being a big news issue.

I do not think private life should ever be mingled with public life because everyone has a right to live his/her life as he/she thinks better so whatever the public figure does in his private life is not to be judged.

No I do not think that a Politician's private Life should be open for public Scrutiny ( as for that matter any Famous Person) as it is their Business what they do in their private time, just because they are famous does not give the public the right to judge them, to know about their faults in their private Life, that is their Life not the Publics,

So this guy is gay. If that's not illegal and if his behavior isn't hurting anybody and if he wasn't running on an anti-gay platform, why is it anybody's business? There was a case in the US where a politician was having an affair and he had run for office on a "family values" platform. In that situation, I don't have any problem with somebody exposing him for a hypocrite. But in general, I think private should be private.

the thing that i know here in the philippines is that government employees and officials are being watched by the public. they are usually in the papers and on tv, on radio. and being government officials mean they have to answer to the people, including their personal and private life.

I do think a person's private life can show a lot about that person's character. For instance, if a person is untrue to his/her marriage vows, that tells me that there's a possibility he/she won't be true to any vow, so how can I trust that person? However, there are other things in a person's private life that have no bearing on whether or not that person is right for a political job. For instance, though I'm opposed to homosexuality, I would still vote for that person if we agreed politically. It would not be his homosexuality but his position on the issues that would cause me to vote for or against that person.

If no laws are being broken, then a person's personal life should be private. Doesn't matter what line of work he or she is in. That's my opinion.

Anyone who holds himself up as a leader needs to also hold to a higher standard because of his position of influence as a role model. Our leaders should be of exemplary character, not the king of sleazy corruptocrats we have now. They should be able to stand up to public scrutiny if they expect to make laws and decisions which govern the lives of others. They should be of sound moral character and spiritual strength. Anyone who wants to be a leader should also know how to be a good follower so he can make compassionate choices and not just foist things on others that he would not want to be mandated for himself, as in "do what I say, not as I do". A leader must have the talent for leadership, not just the money to buy his way in. He should have great ability as a person of merit and heroism as well.

actually, politicians are public figures so they really are subject to public scrutiny. however, i believe that people should just be interested on info that directly affects the government or the community.sometimes the "bad aspects" gte exposed for the purpose of gaining audience and all.

You mean he said he was gay? Then why would he be forced to resign? Surely it's not illegal to be gay in Australia? I really can't se a problem with anyone being gay, it is up to them and does not affect their work. I think politicians should resign if they do something seriously illegal, but otherwise their private lives should be private. It is the same with famous people. The UK press has been full of Ronan Keating from Boyzone cheating on his wife but that's their business, it doesn't bother me, I still like Boyzone!

I want to know about the character of a person, including their private life. I think that a politician should have good MORAL character. I don't want to know necessarily that a politician cheated on his or her spouse, but for character I do. I know doesn't really make sense, and I'm contradicting myself. What I'm trying to say is that I think that a politician or any person who is in the public eye, is a role model and as such should be above reproach. I feel that a politician that can cheat on his family could easily try and cheat the tax payer. I truly believe that all the role models of the world, show how easy it is to do wrong, apologize and that 's suppose to make everything all better, when they are still being asked the same questions months down the road they act like, well I said I was sorry what the heck. A spouse who forgives, never forgets and doesn't trust easily she will definitely question when he's late or why he didn't answer a call. So why does a politician that did wrong not think he has to earn back our trust. They should be held to a higher moral conduct, if they were then would we be where we are now. People don't trust their politicians, I think this is because they tell us what we want to hear then change their agenda, or are led astray or become corrupt. If we got them out of office sooner, I think or system would be somewhat better. WE THE PEOPLE need to hold those in office accountable for their actions!!! No if's, and's or but's if, you can't do the job then let the next person willing to do it, get it done. So inclosing I believe that what a person does in their personal life is a reflection of their moral character. I want to be represented by honest, forthright and moral persons', and I don't think that is to much to ask for. I know everyone is saying the beanie lives in a fantasy world, their aren't any good politicians left, I think it's our fault fault for not standing up and shouting we aren't going to put up with it anymore. Sorry for going a bit off topic. As always just my 2 cents worth!!! Happy Mylotting!!!

I think it should be public for us to know if that politician is doing right or just pretending to be a good politician and his true color is just he only wants the money of their community .. who knows right? but I'm just giving my opinion though.