A Letter of Gratitude to Anthony Weiner

Dear Mr. Weiner, I know you're very busy trying to keep your NYC mayoral bid from ending up in the toilet, but I wanted to take a moment of your time to thank you for being a shining example of what NOT to do in your personal and professional life.
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NEW YORK, NY - JULY 26: Anthony Weiner, a leading candidate for New York City mayor, speaks with residents in Staten Island on a visit to homes damaged by Hurricane Sandy on July 26, 2013 in New York City. It was recently revealed that Weiner engaged in lewd online conversations with a woman after he resigned from Congress for similar previous incidents. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - JULY 26: Anthony Weiner, a leading candidate for New York City mayor, speaks with residents in Staten Island on a visit to homes damaged by Hurricane Sandy on July 26, 2013 in New York City. It was recently revealed that Weiner engaged in lewd online conversations with a woman after he resigned from Congress for similar previous incidents. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

Dear Mr. Weiner,

I know you're very busy trying to keep your NYC mayoral bid from ending up in the toilet, but I wanted to take a moment of your time to thank you for being a shining example of what NOT to do in your personal and professional life. You have reinforced just about every lesson I taught my children about how to behave publicly and privately, how to build trust in your relationships, and generally how to succeed in life. Kudos to you!

For example, we taught our kids not to put anything online or on their cellphones that they wouldn't want the whole world to see or hear, because once it's out there, you can't take it back and it will be there forever. You proved how true this is not once, but twice! Awesome!

We told our kids that cheating and lying would undoubtedly cause people to lose faith in you, to distrust you, and no longer want to stand behind you or support you. With the exception of your wife, just about everyone else who supported you has cut and run. Good job!

We told our kids it's OK to make a mistake. It's what you learn from that mistake and what you do to make amends for it that counts. After screwing up, you went out and did the same thing all over again. Well done!

We told our kids that trust is the most important thing in a marriage. I would be astounded if your wife still trusts you after your pervasive online trysts, but the vote's still out on that one.

Additionally, we taught our kids that,
... how you behave in your personal life will affect what people think of you professionally.
... irresponsible and socially undesirable behavior can destroy your career.
... no one likes a narcissist.

You illustrated each and every one of these principles perfectly. Way to go!

Anthony, I know a lot of people are fervently calling for you to withdraw from the mayoral race and clean up your act, but I'd like to encourage you to keep doing exactly what you're doing. As your numbers plummet dramatically in the polls, your supporters desert you, and your staff makes news for tell-all disclosures and foul mouthed rants, I look like a wise parent for all the advice I've given my kids over the years about how to live an upstanding life and not be a morally reprehensible human being: qualities that you continue to demonstrate against so effectively.

Negative behavior often goes unrewarded in our society but I, for one, am so appreciative of your stubborn resolve to continue your egomaniacal pursuit of a position in office that no one wants you to have. They say actions speak louder than words. Your public behavior is so much more effective in helping my kids make smart choices as they enter adulthood than any advice I could ever give them. Bravo!

Yours most gratefully,
Tracy Beckerman

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Note: Tracy's new book, "Lost in Suburbia: A Momoir. How I Got Pregnant. Lost Myself, and Got My Cool Back in the New Jersey Suburbs" is now available. To get a copy for you or a cool mom you love, CLICK HERE

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