Charles Rangel

In the next couple of days I hope Charles Rangel realizes the foolishness of his rant on the floor of the House of Representatives.  According to CBS News the House Ethics Committee have charged Rangel with allegedly inappropriately solicited donations for the Charles B. Rangel Center for Public Service at City College of New York, for errors and omissions on his financial disclosure forms, failing to report and pay taxes on rental income for a beach villa, and inappropriately allowed his campaign committees to use a rent subsided apartment. 

When Democrats took control of the House and Senate back in 2007; they took control of a House that was infested with corruption.  New Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi made a promise to the American people that she would “Drain the Swamp” of corruption.  When you have a culture of corruption it is difficult to change that culture; especially if that culture has been around for 29 years.  Over time the act of bending rules and looking the other way can become 2nd nature and I believe this is the scenario that Mr. Rangel is caught up in.  In all honesty I don’t believe for a second that Rangel is the only congressman acting inappropriately; I just think he was caught with his hand in the proverbial cookie jar.  What Rangel has to understand there is no easy transition from a corrupt culture; if you don’t go after all inappropriate activity you will never “Drain the Swamp”. 

On Tuesday Rangel’s frustration seemed to boil over as he took to the floor of the House and gave a rant defending himself against allegations.  Unfortunately Rangel decided he would use time set aside to discuss the $26.1 Billion State Aid Package that would save the jobs of over 100,000 teachers across the United States; to plead his case.  His rant reeks of desperation as he embarrasses himself; also I have no idea why anyone was clapping during this rant.  Oh yeah this was a 30 minute rant by Rangel 

I have no issue with Charles Rangel wanting to plead his case, but you cannot have an outburst like this during the debate of a bill that will save the jobs of teachers.  There is a time and place for this and on the floor of the House during discussion of legislation is not the time to plead your case for ethics violations.  Pull yourself together sir!! 

As always….
If there is something to be said, “It’s On Broadway” to step up and say it!!!