Listen to Congressman Rangel

[groovedaddy]

Representative Charles Rangel may have given ethics reform an unintended boost when he took the House floor on Tuesday to attack the ethics committee and ended up underlining the pervasive power of money in politics. “I am not going away,” declared the once-powerful New York lawmaker as fellow Democrats winced.

In a passionate defense of his reputation, Mr. Rangel dared colleagues to expel him — when all ethics committee members initially wanted was for him to accept a reprimand for a series of obviously grave missteps deemed embarrassing to the House.

Instead, a public trial of sorts looms. And Mr. Rangel is now on the attack against the ethics committee, a panel with a history of secrecy and lethargy in policing members’ misbehavior. It can do taxpayers a favor by coming out of its shell and matching Mr. Rangel’s fervor in making the case against him.

The committee should detail the sense of entitlement that underlies the charges against Mr. Rangel. The trial could provide a warning that the congressman is hardly alone in treating public office as an avenue for the harvesting of privilege.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/12/opinion/12thu3.html?th&emc=th

[Jackpine Radical]

1. I don't know sufficient detail about the Rangel case

to pontificate in lay judgment of him, and there should be no rush to hang anyone (Sherrod, anyone?), but I will say in general that we do ourselves and the nation no good by trying to defend the indefensible. If the case against any politician reaches that point of clear guilt, then it is time to exact appropriate penalties.

All that said, my impression from a considerable distance is that the case against Rangel may be strong, but the one against Waters is not.

[groovedaddy]

2. Ethics lies at the heart of it and it's sad that Congress doesn't seem very interested in policing

itself. The whole money as free speech notion has corrupted the system to the extent that the lines are blurred and Sens & Reps cross them, often unknowingly and far too often, with impugnity.
Rangel could have taken the slap on the wrist but has chosen the route that will either vindicate him or shine the light on corruption as the modus operendi of Congress.

[classysassy]

3. A group of congressional crooks

will go to Rangel and say listen Charlie, how much will it take for you to resign.Two million,ok boys take two mill out of petty cash for Charlie,phew thought he was going to blow our cover.