What I Learned from the Fall of Rep. Aaron Schock

If you’re going to break laws and bend rules as a congressman, there are certain things you can do to avoid attention – don’t post pictures of your glamorous tax-paid vacations on Instagram and Facebook, avoid showing off $40,000 office décor to inquiring journalists, and maybe you shouldn’t use taxpayer money for a private plane ride and a Bears game. Rep. Aaron Schock’s fall from glory tells a cautionary tale for social media users everywhere.

Here’s what I learn from this trending Twitter topic and political scandal:

The Republican from Illinois said yesterday he would resign from Congress

We could use Schock’s story as a warning against incriminating social media use, or as a platform for sermons against greed and the unvarying corruption of mankind. I am taught a far simpler additional lesson by this up-and-coming poster child of Congress: Don’t do bad things. Regardless of your attempts at secrecy and deception, regardless of your views on humanity and the world, you cannot ignore this particular overarching theme in history: Your sins will find you out. Now in an era of social media transparency, mass, and speed, this rings true more than ever.

Considering your reputation, whether in appearances, social media, or personality, is not disingenuous or shallow. It’s good sense. As seen a few years back with Justine Sacco’s tweet heard ‘round the world, and just yesterday by the resignation of Scott Walker’s digital strategist, single mistakes in social media can quickly ruin a life. Based on Schock’s public plethora of Instagram and Facebook pictures and the discrepancy between them and his expense accounts, perhaps this investigation into financial misuse came later than it could – and should – have.

Actions have consequences, especially when faithfully recorded by social media (Schock actually hired a personal photographer during some of his trips overseas). Schock’s Instagram account, infamous for portrayals of “the good life,” has been the center of a lot of media attention in the past few weeks. Perhaps initially Schock thought by making his Instagram private, by reimbursing the government for concert tickets and private jets, by glossing over and brushing up, he could rectify his past mistakes. What he realized too late was that there would still be natural consequences to his wrongdoing, even if he managed to find clemency in this day of the unforgiving public eye.

Six weeks ago Illinois Republican Aaron Schock was a promising, young, good looking 33-year-old congressman at the top of his game. Today his discredited name is a byword and a Twitter pun.