Maybe we should really be chanting thank you to Miss Monica Lewinsky.

For the first time in years, constituents of every age group are finally paying attention to the agenda of the most powerful man in our country.

No matter how many times the average citizen claims this issue is overdone, unnecessary and flushing away taxpayers’ money, the simple truth is that everyone is finally taking the time to notice the political arena in their own country.

News of sex in the White House has even overshadowed the sports that usually overtake most evening broadcasts.

Everyone recognizes the — infamous names — Kenneth Starr, Monica Lewinsky and Linda Tripp as if they were comparable in news value to Michael Jordan, Dennis Rodman and Tiger Woods.

Opinions vary, but many vocal citizens have made it clear that they do not care whom the president is sleeping with as long as he is satisfying the requirements of the job given to him. Many concurring opinions claim Bill’s sex life is Hillary’s problem.

But the media plaguing story is not “Did he have sex with a young intern?”

Who cares is right!

Stop and look at what is really happening.

Through all the hype and jokes, the president of the United States, the most influential man in the world, is under federal investigation for committing perjury. The man allegedly stood on a jury stand and lied.

Let’s face it, people, if Michael Eisner (the CEO of the Walt Disney Company) had sexual relations with one of his young interns and repeatedly denied it, he would be gone before the morning papers hit the newsstands.

Are we willing to admit that we hold our president, our liaison to the world, under less moral character than the guy who owns Mickey Mouse?

These are the kinds of questions that are going to bring out the voters in the next election.

It’s historically obvious that scandal is one surefire way to lessen voter apathy.

After Nixon’s little scandalous run in 1974, the 1976 election between Ford and Carter brought almost 5 million more people to the polls than the previous presidential election in 1972.

Remember that good-looking and well-spoken president John F. Kennedy who is still worshiped by young and old adorning fans?

His sexy appeal and questionable reputation drove nearly 6 million more voters to the polls in 1960 when he ran against a young Richard Nixon.

And who could forget the hype brought to the medium when California actor, Ronald Regan, ran against Walter Mondale who chose a woman as his vice-presidential candidate.

That feminist and anti-feminist surge in voter turnout encouraged more than 6 million more people to come out of the woodwork.

Just imagine the next election. After the recent White House scandal, no candidate is going to get by without being thoroughly scrutinized about his or her past and present private life.

Historically, Americans are more interested in the story line behind politics.

Watch and see how words like deception, sex and betrayal will bring out the voters in the next election.

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Ellyn Peterson is a senior in journalism and mass communication from Algona.