Does it Depress You to Know How Alone You Really Are?

Such are the words spoken by the Joker to Commissioner Gordon in the movie "The Dark Knight." These words were all I could think of as I heard the recent news concerning Mark Sanford and reflected on Congressman Ron Paul, perhaps the only decent, honest elected official in our nation. In the film, the movie's villain the Joker chides Commissioner Gordon upon being questioned about the whereabouts of Harvey Dent, the District Attorney who is seen as one of the only hardworking, honest and decent public servants in the city. Unbeknownst to the people, Dent is actually an individual with deep emotional problems who later goes on a killing spree of those he holds responsible for the death of his female love interest.

As Commissioner Gordon, an honest upstanding police officer, fights to hold the city together, he seems corruption, bribery, and filth swarm through the ranks of the police department. Those who are honest and stand up for justice are killed or removed from their positions of leadership. Those who are corrupt and dirty are allowed to infiltrate the police department and the justice system and are bribed by the mob to allow crime to continue. The Joker condescendingly toys with Gordon and asks him what it is like to perhaps be the only decent and honest official in an entire city filled with corruption. He asks him what it feels like to know that you are completely alone, and that there is no one else out there who will fight to protect the things you value?

I immediately thought of this scene as I heard about Mark Sanford and watched the news break last night. Many had pegged Sanford as the one to pick up the torch from 73 year old Congressman Ron Paul and continue to spread the message of true conservative/libertarian values. The story will probably get more convoluted before it gets any better, as emails have now surfaced that show the conversation between Mark Sanford and the woman involved in the affair. The emails are somewhat embarrassing to say the least. Further reports question whether or not Sanford's trips to Argentina were paid for by taxpayers. This is obviously something to be investigated and is a possible offense that should be looked into more deeply.

I feel a sense of sadness not for Mark Sanford's political career, but for Congressman Ron Paul. A man who has literally spent his life promoting the principles of liberty and for virtually all of his years as an elected official has had no one to join him in his endeavor. The scene in the Dark Knight plays over and over in my mind. "Does it Depress You to Know How Alone You Really Are?"

I question what Ron Paul goes through on a daily basis. What does it feel like, knowing that you may just be the only hope and ray of light in a nation increasingly becoming a totalitarian state? What does it feel like to know that in many ways you truly are alone among corruption and decay as you stand for what is moral and what is just. I think of this, and it makes me respect Ron Paul all the more.

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