Because it's pimp vs. hookers, that's why.

A friend asked me at work today why the story about Eliot Spitzer was such a big deal. Besides the obvious sexual deviance storyline, who cares?

There's a lot to say about it. How about the fact that the guy who partially built his reputation on busting prostitution rings now finds himself in them? Or that the guy is the married governor of New York, and having been its attorney general should be held to a slightly higher standard when it comes to enforcement of the law?

For me, though, the sad thing is this: It reminds us that people in government often get everything they have by shaking down someone weaker, smaller, and less powerful than they.

In that respect, the line between pimp and politician gets blurred.