It seems like our fair state is getting more than its fair share of stories about people in office having problems with drugs and/or alcohol. But it’s the news – and if it keeps happening, then we keep reading about it.
In this case, the person involved has brought up a new angle.
Is it possible that one could serve one’s “debt to society” by being a legislator?
State Rep. Daniel Gordon, who is a Republican from Portsmouth, believes that doing his legislative service is his community service. For years after his tour as a Marine he suffered post-traumatic stress and he abused alcohol and committed some crimes. He spent four months in prison for assault back in 1999 and defeated an attempted murder charge back in 2004 (which, if it was dropped, perhaps shouldn’t even be listed?) He missed court dates and had way too many traffic infractions. He messed up.
This all came to light recently when police locked him up for the weekend because of a police chase in Massachusetts back in 2008. Gordon said, "It's no secret now that I have quite a lengthy criminal background in the commonwealth of Massachusetts. It is embarrassing. I did do wrong. I paid my debts. ... I'm not a quitter." He sees no reason why he should step down from his seat in the House (just obtained in January 2011) and he does not think he should resign unless his constituents demand it.
It will be interesting to see how that goes. 6 of one, half-dozen of another.
On the one hand, Gordon says that friends and neighbors are offering words of support and telling him to stay the course. No doubt many people will say, hey, he was only human, and we all make mistakes. If he has truly learned from them and has changed his ways, then let’s let him do the job at hand.
On the other hand, being a legislator means being a leader, and being a representative of the people. Having a criminal record ousts people from many other opportunities – why should a man get a coveted paid government position when he has acted in non-exemplary ways? Does this send the wrong message to the younger populace?
But there may be more to the story. Not long ago Gordon was expelled from the House Republican caucus after being accused by party leaders of making derogatory comments online about other GOP representatives. Minority Leader Brian Newberry said that Gordon was “constantly disruptive, constantly disparaging and frankly obnoxious." Newberry said that some of the members felt threatened.
That’s a different story. Or, is it?
