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Story by Michaela Domer

Its election time and like a time-honored ritual, the American public can only expect scandal to surface. Whether it’s within the Democratic or Republican parties, it never fails that a government representative should fall suspect to the unflattering spotlight.

This time it is Congressman Mark Foley, a Republican from Florida who has served six terms in the House of Representatives. He has been accused of having inappropriate contact via e-mail and instant messaging with male congressional pages. But it wasn’t until these transcribed communications surfaced that Foley resigned from his position, and dashed off to rehab.

As major newspapers and many 24-hour news networks go into deeper analysis as to what really occurred, it seems as though this scandal is all anyone can really talk about. Thus, causing Republican’s to worry about the backlash against their party, come voting time on Nov. 7.

According to an article on msn.com, FBI case against Foley explores legal 'gray area': Making a federal case out of sexually charged e-mail could prove difficult, retired FBI agent Ken Lanning whom served as an expert on child exploitation for the agency has his own take on this case.

“There are going to be some issues here in the gray area,” Lanning said referring to the extent of the charges that Foley could face. “You may find this behavior repulsive, offensive or immoral. Whether it’s a violation of law will be based on a precise reading of the law.”

Furthermore, the article details how Foley is currently undergoing treatment for alcohol abuse while the FBI investigates the extent of Foley’s relationship with former congressional pages. It is this substance abuse that he is being treated for which is being linked to his inappropriate conversations.

So worry not America, Foley’s seeking help, therefore he will be ‘healed’ once he is done with his rehab treatment.

While rehabilitations have proven successful in the past, it doesn’t always guarantee that people won’t revert back to their old bad habits.

But isn’t it interesting how when something of this caliber comes up in the media, whether it is a congressperson or celebrity, they seek treatment to ‘cure’ them of their wrong doings?

Then suddenly society is supposed to accept their wrong doings because they weren’t in the right state of mind, thus passing on the message that if they or any other member of society is intoxicated their behavior is excusable.

So as the media and FBI continue their conquest for the truth. Foley will be seeking help -- as the rest of America watches the saga play out until after the elections when this story fades away into the pages of history.