A prostitution scandal has robbed the Secret Service of the dignity and respect that normally is associated with the men and women who protect the president of the United States of America.

Eleven Secret Service agents and at least 10 military service members allegedly brought as many as 21 prostitutes to a hotel in Colombia ahead of a visit by President Barack Obama.

Three Secret Service employees have been forced out so far, including two supervisors. More agents likely will be fired or will resign before this is over.

There is more to this than just the poor image projected abroad by American law enforcement officers allegedly hiring prostitutes. Secret Service agents have high security clearances, giving them access to a large number of U.S. secrets. Anything that leaves a Secret Service agent vulnerable to blackmail or intimidation endangers the security of the country and the safety of the president, vice president and their families.

These same agents also protect the well-being of prospective presidential candidates. Republicans Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich enjoy Secret Service protection to make sure no one tries to use violence to subvert the democratic process here in the United States. The Secret Service also deals with counterfeiting of U.S. currency.

All of these duties are important to the continued health of our republic. The agents who carry out these duties should be above reproach.

This investigation should continue until every single person responsible has been removed from a position of authority.