South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford attempted to defend payday lending with his veto of the H.3790 bill, but the SC House overturned his veto. (Photo: Wikipedia)

On June 7, South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford issued a veto of H.3790, a payday loan bill that would have extended the payment term of the standard loans to an untenable 120 days or more while still requiring the same fees. Furthermore, H.3790 would have eliminated unsecured loans in South Carolina and outlawed the common practice of a customer presenting a lender with a post-dated check. However, S.C. Politics Today reports that the South Carolina House of Representatives has overridden Gov. Sanford’s veto. The bill also affected regulation of licensing fees for the state’s mortgage industry.

Why Mark Sanford said no to payday loan-crippling H.3790

In a letter to the state House, Governor Mark Sanford writes regarding his veto of the payday loan bill that

“Although this type of regulation is intended to protect the public, these kinds of laws ultimately decrease the number and type of available financing options and make it harder for new lenders to enter the market. In other words, consumers have fewer choices and the available options become more expensive. … Some people will benefit from payday–style loans and some will not, and we continue to believe that individual consumers are better equipped than a government bureaucracy to know whether a short-term loan is a wise decision in any given circumstance.”

Allow the people to decide

As state legislators are less likely than credit-constrained consumers to have ever had the need for a payday loan or similar loans with no credit check – whether they are unsecured loans or not – it seems more logical that consumers should be allowed to decide whether the payday loan is a good deal for them. Governor Sanford clearly sees the matter in those terms, even if his state’s legislature does not. Currently, the payday loan regulation in South Carolina limits borrowers to $550 at a time, and they can only have a single active loan. This activity is tracked in an electronic database.

Another bill, another overturned veto

Another overturned veto ventures into territory of Mark Sanford’s alleged history of impropriety with South Carolina taxpayer funds. The House nixed Gov. Sanford’s veto of a bill that would “allow information to be made public in a state ethics investigation of the governor when it indicates possible cause that a violation may have occurred,” reports S.C. Politics Today. The vote against Sanford’s veto of the governor investigation bill was a landslide, 102-2 in favor of overturning his veto. Sanford has gone on record as saying that he vetoed the bill because he wanted the language of that bill expanded to include all state lawmakers, not just the governor.

Sources:

S.C. Politics Today

State of South Carolina – Office of the Governor

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Rep. Nikki Haley and husband. (Photo: India Unfinished)

South Carolina Rep. Nikki Haley has aspirations to become the governor of the Palmetto state in the upcoming election. However, it appears she’ll have to contend with allegations from former Gov. Mark Stanford staffer Will Folks that Folks and Nikki Haley were involved in “an inappropriate physical relationship” that occurred during her current marriage. According to the Daily Caller, Will Folks dropped the Nikki Haley bomb on his website.

Was Rep. Nikki Haley ‘hiking the Appalachian Trail,’ too?

As Nikki Haley and anyone else who has paid attention to South Carolina politics knows, the office of governor has been a veritable hot seat that has attracted its fair share of attention. Gov. Mark Sanford “hiked the Appalachian Trail” on taxpayer dollars (rather than easy cash loans) in order to be with mistress Maria Belen Chapur. Lt. Governor Andre Bauer publicly compared poor people to stray animals. Now gubernatorial candidate Nikki Haley is dealing with her own alleged affair. Her campaign team has denied Folks’ allegations. Haley has told the press that “I have been 100 percent faithful to my husband throughout our 13 years of marriage.” Folks’ subsequent marriage (after the alleged affair) has reportedly been less successful. There was a domestic violence incident in 2005 where Folks shoved his wife into the furniture.

Folks is feeling the pressure

There are “several impending news stories” in the South Carolina press involving this alleged affair between Nikki Haley and Will Folks, and this, according to the Daily Caller, is what prompted Folks to speak out. “I am told that at least one story based upon this information will be published this week,” he said. “Watching all of this unfold, I have become convinced that the gradual release of this information is deliberately designed to advance this story in the press while simultaneously forcing either evasive answers or denials on my part or on Nikki’s part.”

In other words, the press is having a field day

Here’s a thought: Perhaps South Carolina politicians could behave in a more upright, honest manner. Clearly the claims against Nikki Haley have not been proved, but does South Carolina need any more negative publicity? Their political cupboards have been full for some time. One wonders if Sarah Palin and Jenny Sanford – both of whom have endorsed Nikki Haley – did their due diligence before taking the podium. While there are plenty of people like the author of the India Unfinished blog who have positive things to say about Nikki Haley – i.e. “Nikki’s greatest gift to voters is herself. She represents fusion, ambition, integrity and perseverance” – even a potentially unfounded allegation against Haley look bad for a state that lately has been burned by its politicians a great deal.

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Are Andre Bauer's comments regarding the poor the medicine we need or simply a lack of compassion at the worst possible time? (Photo: gary2idaho.wordpress.com)

South Carolina is a perfectly fine place, I’m sure. The Palmetto State no doubt has beauty and local color in spades. However, its recent political history has been talk show cannon fodder. Gov. Mark Sanford went on his soul-searching trip on the Appalachian Trail (aka Argentina) with Maria Belen Chapur. Now Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer (he of the “Andre Bauer for governor” campaign) has searched his soul and made a startling admission: “Poor children are stray animals,” referring to those who take public assistance.

Will Andre Bauer need payday loans like the rest of us soon?

In his infinite wisdom, Bauer said this during an interview with local South Carolina newspaper The State. Yet in decrying government handout culture, perhaps Andre Bauer was attempting to take on an issue that in fact needs reform. “In government, we are too often giving a handout instead of a hand up,” he told the newspaper. But then he went on to tell a little story that couldn’t possibly help his public image:

“My grandmother was not a highly educated woman, but she told me as a small child to quit feeding stray animals. You know why? Because they breed.

“You’re facilitating the problem if you give an animal or a person ample food supply. They will reproduce, especially ones that don’t think too much further than that. And so what you’ve got to do is you’ve got to curtail that type of behavior. They don’t know any better.”

12.6 percent of South Carolina is out of work

Thus, the timing of Andre Bauer’s comments – from the campaign trail, no less – could have been better. Fellow politicians have called for him to formally apologize for his comments, but Bauer has refused so far. Interestingly, Andre Bauer is a child of divorce who once qualified for reduced-price lunches.

“This is out of love and compassion,” he said. “If I have to take a hit, then fine. … I will take short-term pain for long-term gain.”

Does charitable work cover up mistimed political statements?

The State and other media outlets indicate that Andre Bauer participates in a variety of charity actions. However, in the world of politics and the media mirror of public perception, will Andre Bauer’s proclamation that “poor children are like stray animals” sink his career and bring even more shame to South Carolina? Boy, if I had payday loans for each mile of that Appalachian Trail!

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South Carolina Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer (Photo: schotline.wordpress.com)

At one time, South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford was one of the most vocal critics of President Clinton during the Monica Lewinsky scandal. He insisted that the best thing for the country was that Mr. Clinton step down, because his actions were “unconscionable” (say that in the most condescending, self-righteous tone possible and you’ll get the idea).

Was Sanford raking in extra cash (or at least pats on the back) from the conservative Christian, right-wing Republican, straight white American males (thank you, Todd Snider) that are his primary demographic? Considering he’s completely unwilling to take such a hard-line stance with himself after his own affair, he’s a hypocrite at best. That he also abused the public trust by abandoning his job and misusing taxpayer funds should open him up to criminal prosecution, let alone impeachment.

Lt. Governor Andre Bauer of South Carolina says it’s time for Mr. Sanford to go.

Buh-bye

The Christian Science Monitor reports that Andre Bauer has officially requested that Mark Sanford take the best interests of his constituents into account and leave office. Otherwise, the circulating rumors of impeachment talk could become more than just rumors; it could “dominate next year’s legislative session instead of issues like the economy and job creation.”

Bauer is not the first Republican to voice this message. The Monitor indicates that back in June, 10 state senators said they wanted Sanford to step down. As of July 6, the South Carolina Republican Party voted to censure the governor. Yet Sanford remains, like an ox grazing in the grass. Not only does he consider himself fit for office, but he dared to invoke divine providence, saying that, “If the good Lord’s going to make changes in your life, you’ve gotta stick around for the process.” Unbelievable.

Is it true that the good Lord prefers South Carolina to Arkansas, Mark?

“Hiking the Appalachian Trail” is now etched in America’s popular consciousness. For Mark Sanford, it was a taxpayer-funded love-fest with María Belén Chapur in Argentina. Exercise in the hills will never be the same again, and Lt. Governor Andre Bauer thinks that’s the kind of embarrassment South Carolina can do without if it’s going to overcome to doldrums of the recession.

Oh, one thing that’s gone under the radar is that Sanford admitted during his confessionary press conference that he’d “crossed the lines” with a “handful of women” since he’d been married. So this isn’t a one-time mistake. But did he use other people’s money to fund those affairs, too?

And “The Family” is pulling the strings with Mr. Sanford

Yes, Sanford considered resigning. “Immediately after all this unfolded last week I had thought I would resign – as I believe in the military model of leadership and when trust of any form is broken one lays down the sword,” he said to the press. But – and it’s a big but – “A long list of close friends have suggested otherwise – that for God to really work in my life I shouldn’t be getting off so lightly.” Now that we know that he is being advised by the shadow religious group at C Street House, they’re telling him to rub his transgressions in the face of the people he is supposed to represent. Separation between church and state, anyone?

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Lt. Gov. Andre Bauer has the right idea. Mark Sanford needs to be shown the door. He also should face criminal charges for using taxpayer funds for extra cash. Do it legally next time, Mark. Right here – just click the button.

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Your blind spot can hold great danger (Photo: commons.wikimedia.org)

You’ve heard it said that people are often done in by their blind spot, right? I’m not talking about that episode of “The X-Files” where the villain always appeared to be in a blind spot, even when he was standing right in front of his victim. I’m also not referring to South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford’s blind spot for “hot-blooded Latinas.” No, I’m talking about the blind spot that a standard side view mirror on a motor vehicle won’t reveal. That’s why drivers are taught to briefly glance over their shoulder when they’re changing lanes. Quick cash from short term loans can help remedy the problem that traditional side mirrors present, however.

Radar love of the blind spot

Christopher Jensen blogs for the New York Times that automakers are actively attempting to eliminate the number of lane-change accidents that occur due to blind spots. In some cases, radar systems are involved, such as with Ford’s Blind Spot Information System (BLIS). When radar detects something in your blind spot, a light on the side view mirror comes on. There’s also the Cross Traffic Alert feature, which scans 65 feet on either side of the rear of your car, in order to aid in backing. These options come with a hefty price tag, however: around $1,600.

Isn’t there something cheaper?

Yes, and it starts with doing something different with the moldy old design of side view mirrors. In truth, if side view and rear view mirrors are properly positioned, blind spots can be minimized (if not eliminated). Ideally, you want an object to appear in your side view mirror before it disappears from your rear view mirror. If there’s a significant gap between the two in terms of invisibility time, you have a huge blind spot of which you must be conscious.

So a redesign of side view (and rear view) mirrors is necessary. Some of these are currently available, including the BlindZoneMirror (Blind Zone Mirror). This is a patented system that integrates a smaller mirror into one quadrant of the side view mirror. This smaller mirror gives you a better view of your vehicle’s blind spot.

Please keep in mind that the blind spot’s size, shape and position varies greatly by vehicle, as each vehicle design is different. Thus, it is important to have a Blind Zone Mirror that is designed for your year, make and model of car.

An award-winner that saves lives

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Imagine you’re a parent. If you have children in the vehicle with you as you’re driving, wouldn’t you want to keep them as safe as possible? If you can’t easily monitor your blind spots, you aren’t doing that. Hence, a product like Blind Zone Mirror is essential. Parent company Magna International introduced the mirrors on the Ford Edge as a standard option, to rave reviews. They also appear on the Chevrolet Traverse, where they come standard on all but the most basic model. If you need quick cash from short term loans to upgrade to a model with the feature included, do it. Your safety is worth the extra cost. If you would like to apply for a loan, click the button you see here.

If you’re wondering what kind of notices the BlindZoneMirror has received, rest easy. It won the 2009 Automotive News’ PACE Awards, which honors “superior innovation and technological advancement.” The Blind Zone Mirror was described by award judges as “an elegant and inexpensive solution” to this blind spot safety issue.

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(Photo: pinoyspy.com)

There’s something dreadfully wrong with that. That C Street House, C Street Band, The Family, or whatever you want to call them knew that South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford was having an affair with Argentine reporter Maria Belen Chapur. The super-secret religious organization knew before Jenny Sanford did. But perhaps what’s even more heinous from a media point of view is that most of what we’ve heard about this “hiking the Appalachian Trail” affair has come from the perspective of Mark Sanford. Jenny Sanford has remained mostly silent, until now. She recently sat down with Vogue for an interview, and it’s telling of her inner strength during this storm.

Overheated vs. clear thinking

Vogue describes Jenny Sanford as “petite, clear-eyed, strong-willed, pious without being smug, smart without being caustic.” She wasn’t caught up in the emotional frothing at the mouth that her husband succumbed to when he spoke of soul mates and poetry. Perhaps that’s because their marriage, by her admission, was always one of friendship and comfort rather than passion. But Jenny Sanford has focused on the most important thing throughout – her legacy, the Sanford children. No secured loans or unsecured loans can buy something so valuable and irreplaceable.

Mark Sanford is the prototypical person who chomps at the bit to cast the first stone. That’s exactly what he did when he condemned President Bill Clinton’s philandering as “reprehensible.” He cut the image of wholesome, which for his wife and children was accurate. However, Mark Sanford clearly never grew up; he made the commitment to marry for friendship, believing he could find the fire elsewhere

Enter Maria Belen Chapur.

Hardly the home wrecker, Chapur lit Sanford’s fire. It also appears that she didn’t know quite what to do with such a powerful man pursuing her like a lovesick teenager. Mark Sanford decided to hike the Appalachian Trail in his pursuit of her. Perhaps it was the excitement, or the flame of passion that Mark Sanford wanted. Perhaps if Maria Belen Chapur hadn’t been there, it would have been someone else. Yet as Jenny Sanford sees it, Mark is suffering from an addiction.

“Over the course of both pastoral and marriage counseling, it became clear to me that he was just obsessed with going to see this woman. I have learned that these affairs are almost like an addiction to alcohol or pornography. They just can’t break away from them,” she told Vogue.

I see that as a weak defense of his irresponsibility

Mark Sanford has children with Jenny Sanford. You do not introduce poison into a relationship based on the upbringing of children. You act responsibly because you owe it to your children. You do not disappear “on the Appalachian Trail” (or in the case of my ex, to California). You take responsibility as a parent, because that is the most important job a human being can have.

And where’s Jenny Sanford’s comments on the C Street Band’s involvement in Mark Sanford’s passionate affair? She conveniently neglects to mention them during the Vogue interview, which indicates to me that she’s being influenced not to talk about certain things. Thus, I take Jenny Sanford’s entire interview with a grain of salt. It’s image-making, it’s theater of a sort. There’s some truth, but perhaps the heart of the matter remains obscured. And in this case, it should not be obscured. The Family (C Street Band, C Street House, etc) is involved in this crime against the Sanford children and Jenny Sanford. And while these crimes may not in themselves be punishable by law, they should be. Such harmful secrecy masquerading as religious freedom should be squashed in the interests of children. It is their right not be deceived by an important caregiver.

Midlife crisis and all that

My response to C Street House and those who "leave it in the Lord's hands." (Photo: flickr.com)

“My husband has got some issues that he needs to work on, about happiness and what happiness means. You wish it wouldn’t come to a crisis like this, but I think when a lot of men get to this midpoint in life, they start asking questions that they probably should have asked a long time ago,” says Mrs. Sanford. Maria Belen Chapur has been drawn into Mark Sanford’s crisis of maturity, and unfortunately for her, life may never be the same again. Now, is Jenny Sanford perfect? Hardly. By her own admission, “I don’t have a wild past, but I don’t have a perfect past. I worked hard, and I played hard. There are things I probably shouldn’t have done, but I was human. The question is what you learn from them.” That was her experience as a former Wall Street type, a real numbers runner.

In a nutshell, Jenny Sanford says of her marriage to Mark Sanford that “We weren’t madly in love, but we were compatible and good friends. I like to think we balance each other out. I am a conservative at heart, but I’m not passionate about ideas like he is. I am better at making the trains run on time.” Mark Sanford, as a powerful white male, mistook his station in life with the right to stomp on loved ones in pursuit of passion. Incidentally, he’s stomped on Maria Belen Chapur, too, which is something he likely didn’t intend. But his hot and heavy behavior has burned her. Not as much as it has Jenny Sanford and her children, but it has charred the earth.

She is willing to forgive

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But I wish she would have taken a harder line against him. Mark Sanford is getting off much too easily, even if it is hard for politicians to remain grounded and not stoke the fires of ego. Political enemies, commentators and comedians are taking their share of pot shots, however. Politicians need to take the lead here, because Mark Sanford’s use of taxpayer dollars to chase after Maria Belen Chapur (some of it not even itemized) is in violation of the public trust. He must be impeached, and elected officials are the only ones who can truly get that ball rolling. If money is needed to start a grassroots movement to get him out, unsecured loans and secured loans are available. Apply here by clicking the button.

Jenny Sanford says that “Mark is not a bad person,” he’s just struggling. I can see that as well as anyone else. However you may choose to forgive him (likely as C Street has directed) is up to you. However, as a politician, Mark Sanford’s career should be over immediately. Yes, Jenny Sanford may be right when she tells Vogue that “If you don’t forgive, you become angry and bitter.” For the children, however, it’s best that she moves on from this hot mess of a “friend” and do what is best for the youngsters. Invoking the Lord means that you give up responsibility for your own actions. Take action, Mrs. Sanford – don’t join those with blinders on. Make a difference for your children.

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Huh! I'm gonna be a disciple. Huh! (Photo: earthhopenetwork.net)

(Aka, we should have listened to Jefferson. CLICK HERE if you missed part one of this article)

Morality? No time. The Family says I’m going to Argentina on taxpayer bucks. Ta ta!

Yes, they reject the kind of morality that is the basis of a citizen’s trust in their elected officials. Instead of my attempt to explain it, enjoy this priceless stuff, courtesy of Sharlet’s observations. He went undercover inside The Family…

In the core of The Family, they actually reject the idea of morality for their members. They believe that morality is a secular construct, that morality is something made by man for little people like us, and that if you are part of God’s chosen, as we’ve been talking about – what The Family believes that they are the sort of New Chosen by God – morality, ethics, these things don’t apply to you. That doesn’t mean that they endorse adultery, it just means that they’re not paying attention as much to it. And then you combine that to a, frankly, fairly misogynist viewpoint. They subscribe to an idea of male headship. In some of their documents, Doug Coe, the leader of the group, was actually advising another member on what to do with his wife, who the member felt was demonically possessed, and Doug Coe said that’s quite possible. The symptoms, were, and there’s just no way to make this sound respectable, the symptoms were that the woman was complaining that she wasn’t sexually satisfied by her husband. That was, to them, a symptom of demonic possession. I mean, it sounds crazy and it would be silly, if it weren’t happening right in the middle of Washington with these men who are so powerful – who are congressmen and then lobbyists in this revolving door that seems to be facilitated by The Family.

Was Jenny Sanford demonically possessed? Was Maria Chapur Mark’s chance to avoid possession?

Oh, this is deliciously disgusting. Disgusting because these people were voted into office by thinking, mouth-breathing folks. Delicious because the folly of mixing church and state is being exposed on a larger scale than ever before in this country. If one of the greatest forefathers of America (Thomas Jefferson) understood that there needed to be a “wall of separation” between church and state, perhaps more people who bomb abortion clinics in the name of a nation they claim was “founded” by Christianity will do their research.

Tiahrt: “Abort Obama, too many Moslem children, Hitler’s a nice guy”

Speaking of abortions… Sharlet says The Family is grooming Todd Tiahrt as “a disciple?” Wow.

Following up on the their previous interview, Rachel Maddow talked to Sharlet again, this time in greater detail about Tiahrt. See the interview below. Pay particular attention to the discussion of “Christ Plus None” and the idea of “the totalitarianism of Christ.” Then see how you feel about the following, in Sharlet’s words:

(Doug Coe) said to Tiahrt what you need to do is form a covenant with your brothers in Christ, like Ensign and Coburn and Sanford. He says when you do this, when you commit total loyalty to each other, and you vow to keep up each others secrets, you can accomplish much more. And he gave to Congressman Tiahrt examples of guys who had done this very well, he thought. Hitler, Pol Pot, Osama bin Laden, and Lenin, and it just makes your jaw drop that Congressman Tiahrt thought this was very wise advice.

Take back your country from religious fundamentalism before it’s too late.

If you need money to make signs, I hear personal loans and cheap loans are available. They aren’t something The Family can “moralize” away.

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Wait, Coburn's really a deacon, not a senator! C Street confessions are protected, you sorry chumps (Photo: crooksandliars.com)

Do you feel comfortable with your elected officials belonging to a secret society that “rejects morality as a secular construct of man?” Do you find it troubling that the same officials then take it upon themselves to “moralize” on the topic of why cheap loans and personal loans are bad for their constituents, all the while seeing no problem with abandoning their publicly appointed duties and committing marital infidelity? It should bother you, because your elected officials are openly stating that they serve a power that is more important than citizens like yourself that they have pledged to serve.

Very worried

Governor Mark Sanford of South Carolina. Senator John Ensign of Nevada. Congressman Chip Pickering (See: http://blog.au.org/2009/07/21/family-values-secretive-c-street-band-is-wild-and-not-so-innocent/) of Mississippi. Congressman Todd Tiahrt of Kansas. Senator Tom Coburn of Oklahoma. These politicians and others are a part of a fellowship at C Street House, where they follow the teachings of “The Family.” Their secret society apparently supersedes their obligation to the public. If they were told to aid the family in a way that would violate their commitment to The Family, these men would do it. And they are completely unapologetic of that fact. How can voters make sure a mistake about such an overall lack of character and substance? Ah, I know. They don’t pay attention when they vote, or they vote the way religious figures advise them to and give it no further thought. Baaaaaaa! Baaaaaaa! Trade your brains in for shovels, because you should bury yourselves during important times like elections. Or at least turn in your citizenship for magic Moses beans. Then the beanstalk will trip you on the way to the polls… or the mailbox… or whatever. What I’m saying is, please don’t vote without a brain… again.

They do not answer to you

Democratic Underground draws our attention to a July 16 interview on “The Rachel Maddow Show.” Jeff Sharlet, journalist and author of the book “The Family: Secret Fundamentalism at the Heart of American Power,” speaks of how the extramarital affairs committed recently by high-profile politicians were known about for months before the knowledge became public. The fellowship and The Family as a whole supposedly knew, and in some cases, a lot of money began to change hands in order to keep things quiet. And that appears to be just the tip of the iceberg at C Street House. As Sharlet puts it, “There’s a level when you are at the C Street house, It’s almost like a fundamentalist frat house. The Family sees their oath to one another as more important than their accountability to the public.”

CLICK HERE and see how Todd Tiahrt of Kansas steers this into even more dangerous waters…

Lil' George and his posse

Human beings admire those with dignity and grace. No matter how far the public taste strays into an ocean of trash, social graces are a braided rope thrown from the shores of home.

Do as George did

In saying this, I don’t mean that we should all go to finishing school to prepare for our high society coming-out parties before Lindsay Lohan pulls us beneath the waves like the Creature from the Black Lagoon. No, I’m talking about how we conduct ourselves. If we want to be treated with respect, it wouldn’t hurt to do as George Washington did. He studied “Rules of Civility and Decent Behavior in Company and Conversation.” He transcribed these 110 rules to live by when he was a boy.

And you’re… how old? Get with the program and live better. Use payday loans and unsecured loans responsibly, too. It’s all part of being dignified.

He was the Father of Our Country

David Brooks writes in the New York Times op-ed piece “In Search of Dignity” that Washington’s rules of civility were difficult to follow, but he worked hard to cultivate them throughout his life. Historian Gordon Wood recognizes the efforts of America’s first president when he writes that “Washington became a great man and was acclaimed as a classical hero because of the way he conducted himself during times of temptation. It was his moral character that set him off from other men.”

About human beings

This code Washington strove to follow was based on the same underlying idea that informs the United States Constitution: that human beings are flawed and must work to govern their passions. The belief is that artificial systems of government must be in place to help regulate unchecked desires or chaos will reign. Do not give in to personal interests over those of the greater good, do not carry on in public and treat rashness with healthy skepticism. Rely on yourself first. Be polite to others. It’s all part of the code.

America lacks manners

So what’s the point that Brooks is trying to make here, aside from the fact that too many people like to play with Lindsay in the muck? The “Rules of Civility and Decent Behavior in Company and Conversation” and any dignity code they spawned are all but gone. Brooks blames shameless self-promotion; flinging our feelings around like Jackson Pollock’s paint; confessing everything to everyone (no matter how inane); and “radical egalitarianism,” with its negative view of high manners.

Violators of the code

We see violators of the code every day. Arrests, scandals, embarrassing drunks in bars and co-workers who must tell you about their random and sundry rashes. But the ones that stumble into the media spotlight make for an interesting study. Mark Sanford offers no apology to his wife or South Carolina constituency during his press conference. He rambles on and hopes the gloss of a book – a book – will blind others to his titanic failing and complete lack of personal dignity. Michael Jackson lives in perpetual childhood and pain unto death, then the world feeds on the carcass. Then Sarah Palin comes forward to resign from the Alaska governorship. She expects us to be inspired by her authority and trust, but she actively works to stir attention in the tabloids. Learn how to behave with dignity and you will be treated with dignity. Homespun charm isn’t enough.

Governing your passions

Do you fly through your life in pursuit of one passion after the next, without any real steering mechanism? Try some of the “Rules of Civility and Decent Behavior in Company and Conversation” on for size. The roots of dignity and ethics are there, but you have to plant them in order to make them work in your own life. How you do that is up to you. One financial piece of advice I’d offer is that instead of running up a credit card bill you pay off over time (hence paying a lot more money than you needed in the first place), try payday loans and unsecured loans instead. One-time fee of $15 to $30 per $100 loaned is typical and inexpensive.

Then there is Barack

Brooks likes to point out that not all celebrities lack dignity. Whatever disagreements you may have over some of his policies, President Obama “exemplifies reticence, dispassion and the other traits associated with dignity,” writes Brooks. Will Barack Obama bring dignity back to a country that badly needs it?

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