Politics is often a business prone to corruption. Politicians, presented with power and glory, often find themselves in politically undesirable situations. Many politicians, both Republican and Democratic, have proven to have had extramarital affairs with other women, men and even children. In recent years, politician’s moral corruption has caused many Americans to resent or ignore politics.

John Edwards is a prime example of this corruption. Edwards, who came in third in the race for the 2008 Democratic Presidential nomination, said last Thursday that he did indeed father the two-year-old child of Rielle Hunter, one of his campaign videographers. The news that Edwards had, in fact, cheated on his wife who suffered from breast cancer, was expected by nearly everyone involved after more than a year of media speculation, but still came as a huge disappointment to the American public.

"I think the repair of his public image is going to be a long, hard road, if that is possible at all," said John Moylan, a friend and campaign advisor of Edwards in a New York Times article, "Edwards Admits He Fathered Girl With Mistress."

The Republican governor of South Carolina, Mark Sanford, has also indicted himself in an extramarital affair. Last summer, he told his staff he was hiking in the Appalachian Mountains, and instead went to visit his long-term mistress in Argentina. He lost a great deal of public respect and support, but remains in office.

"It bothers me that people in power do so many things that are wrong," said Senior Ayesha Khwaja. "We’re supposed to respect people like [Edwards and Sanford], but how can we?"

The American public is understandably angry, confused and taken aback by the recent political scandals. Those who are aware of or involved in American politics have dealt with an unusual amount of corruption and scandal. Unfortunately, they continue to do so in a political era where sex, money and favors rule.