Sexual Dynamics of Power

Re “Power Is an Aphrodisiac That Can Carry an Extreme Price,” Opinion, June 27: Steven Rhoads writes: “Advanced societies are monogamous because monogamy helps keep men in line. Whatever adventures may be tolerated among singles, we still expect married partners to be faithful.” What planet is he living on?

Apparently he has never been to “advanced societies” in Europe, where married men (especially the powerful ones) frequently have mistresses and it is accepted as normal. Nor, apparently, has Rhoads been to “advanced societies” in Asia, where geishas and prostitutes do a thriving business -- not with single men but mostly married ones. Again, extramarital sex is culturally acceptable.

America is the exception, not the rule. Men are not built for monogamy, and every country on the planet knows and accepts that except for us.

The president can have all the sex he wants in the Oval Office if he takes good care of the economy, reduces the deficit, maintains good international relations and all the other things we elected him to do.

Barbara Jo

Gallagher Hateley

Los Angeles

Rhoads’ commentary had to be satirical; he could not possibly claim that President Clinton’s dishonesty about his infidelity was contributing to the downfall of civilization. His claim that this is indicative of a president unconcerned about the public interest is contradicted by the facts.

Clinton tried to enact universal health care, tried to broker peace between Israel and Palestine and arrested and struck at terrorists before they struck. Imagine what he could have done had he not been forced to spend an inordinate amount of his time answering to a special prosecutor who spent $70 million looking for wrongdoing.

Joel C. Koury

Santa Monica

Yes, indeed, power is seductive and Steven Rhoads’ commentary is interesting reading. Bill Clinton wants to explain away his demons in the arena of the White House Oval Office, and the “body politic” suffered by having to be disillusioned by its leader’s personal immorality.

George W. Bush has likewise been seduced by his position of power into making wrong decisions (no matter how “righteous”), and those decisions have had disastrous ramifications in the global arena.

I’m no fan of Clinton, but let’s not label him the greater threat to my, and societal, well-being; Bush wins that hands down.

Marty Wilson

Whittier