It's Time to Resign, Charlie
By Examiner Editorial
- 12/4/08
Meanwhile, the allegations of improprieties by Rangel continue to mount, with the latest being that the New York congressman helped preserve a tax break for Nabors Industries, an oil company, shortly after Eugene Isenberg, Nabors’ CEO, gave $1 million to the Charles B. Rangel Center for Public Affairs. Rangel said - presumably with a straight face - that the timing of his assistance was “coincidental.” Whether coincidental or not, we agree with Bob Edgar of Common Cause, who said in a letter to the ethics panel that Rangel’s actions “could undermine the credibility of Congress’ efforts to deal with our deep economic problems.” But Rangel’s lapses affect matters that go far beyond Congress’ ability to deal with the current economic crisis.
Rangel has reportedly sent solicitations for contributions to the Rangel Center to multiple parties, some with issues being decided by the Ways and Means committee. Those solicitations were on official committee stationary. He has also been the focus of media reports that he failed to pay taxes or report income on a property in the Dominican Republic, that he took improper tax deductions, and that four apartments he owns in a New York building receive public subsidies. Since the Ways and Means Committee routinely deals with the most critical and sensitive issues on taxes and who does or doesn’t pay them, it is ludicrous to think Rangel can continue credibly as chairman. Any corporation is now suspect whose executives contributed to Rangel’s campaigns or his favored causes and that has received favorable treatment from the committee during Rangel’s chairmanship. Rangel should resign the chairmanship promptly and avoid adding to the public’s record-low approval ratings of Congress.
6 Comments
Reader Comments:
POSTED Dec 5, 2008
Nana: "When Trent Lott made a facetious comment to cheer an old man at his birthday party, The attacks were unrelenting, ending with Lott's resignation. We are now looking at people (Rangle, Jefferson, Frank, Dodd, to name a few) who should be wearing orange jumpsuits. Not only they will not resign their chairmanships, the speaker guarantees they won't have to. The worst of all of this is that the people who elect them see nothing wrong, either. They just keep sending them back, term after term. Until these crooks acknowledge and pay for their crimes, nothing good will ever be accomplished. By the by, someone should inform Ms Pelosi that speaker is not a synonym for queen."POSTED Dec 6, 2008
mike: "As if there are so many examples that the hardworking and honest republican party have put in front of us as great examples of ethical giants. What a joke and a relic of a party."POSTED Dec 6, 2008
Bonemaker: "The second comment by MIKE is interesting to me. It seems to imply that it is ok for Rangel and or Jefferson to engage in unethical or even illegal activities. It os ok because some republican have done it in the past. Even though those people were hounded out of office and rightfully so if they were guilty. But since it is a Democrat it is ok. Makes no sense. Actually it sounds hypocritical and stupid. But MIke most likely will not see this as he has used the typical response that all the good KOOLAID drinkers use. Dont look at members of his own party and find fault oh no...justify it by insulting the other party. NOT with reason and with a cuase to fix the problem just insults, and bile."POSTED Dec 7, 2008
Dorinda: "ISN'T IT TIME A VERY LARGE MARCH ON WASHINGTON IS PLANNED AND EXECUTED????? WHAT THE HELL ARE WE WAITING FOR??? A MARCH TO DEMAND RESIGNATIONS AND PROSECUTIONS. CAN ANYONE GET THIS THING OFF THE GROUND?? I'LL BE OUTSIDE WARMING UP MY CAR AND POLISHING MY SHOVEL."POSTED Dec 7, 2008
Wee Willie: "Rangel is a skunk of the first order. He stinks up our entire country with his immoral behavior, and the Liberal Democrats LOVE him. Birds of a feather feed together....."POSTED Dec 8, 2008
Richard L. Collignon, Jr.: "The democrats, or "progressives," which many of the new-left use to refer to themselves, don't see the world in terms of "good and evil." All is relative, and "who are we to judge?" That is, unless you're a white, middle aged, Christian! If you are, then you are considered one bad and ignorant person! So, they cannot nor have not investigated any of the multitudinous and egregious felonies committed during recent history by many of their own, corrupt members. They are such outright scum-bags, that it makes me physically ill! And don't hold one's breath for any meaningful investigations..."