I have trouble even writing about this with a straight face.
One of the priorities of the Democrat's lame duck supermajority in the House is dealing with the ethics violations trials of two members of the Congressional Black Caucus, Charlie Rangel and Maxine Waters.
Charlie Rangel, a founding member of the Congressional Black Caucus was 'convicted' today of 11 out of 13 counts of ethics violations and the case know goes to the full House Ethics panel for sentencing.
What did he actually do?
Blatant Federal and State tax fraud, fraudulent use of four rent-controlled apartments in New York City, using his Congressional letterhead to illegally solicit funds for his private foundation from lobbyists for companies he was writing tax regs on, blatant conflict of interest, failure to declare over $600,000 in income, the sort of stuff that would get you or I locked up for a long time.
Charlie Rangel? Faggedabboudit.
The House ethics investigatory subcommittee recommended last July that Rangel be reprimanded, which is the least severe of the punishments he could receive. It's an official slap on the wrist. There are also heavier penalties, including a formal reprimand and a censure that would require a simple majority vote on the House floor by the Democrat Lame Duck Congress, which, like Water's trial, they would rush to get done before the Holiday recess and the seating of the new GOP Congress. There are also a few fines they could levy.
Since Rangel was just overwhelmingly re-elected by his Harlem constituents, the House could vote expel him.That would take a two thirds majority. Since Rangel is a member of the Congressional Black Caucus and they're behind him 110%, I'd figure the odds on him being expelled on a par with Mahmoud Ahmadinejad suddenly announcing what a fan he is of Israel and the 'Zionists'.
Besides, with a mild reprimand of sorts and maybe a symbolic fine, Rangel keeps his Democrat House seat and vote, his congressional immunity and likely his mouth shut about a few other sleazy deals involving other members of the House he undoubtedly has knowledge of.
Most ethical Congress evah!
Ri-ight.
(hat tip memeorandum)
3 comments:
You or I would be in prison for the rest of ours lives. Rangel is going to get us to pay his pension instead. This is why people are sick of the government.
one of the details mentioned by ff in his essay may be overlooked. charlie was re-elected by an overwhelming majority.
apparently some folks like government just the was it is.
we get to support them as well.
charlie will see to it.
Voooooorp! Excuse me, I just vomited in my mouth. Yes, Charlie will get a slap on the wrist. It was really considerate of them not to do this before the election, so as not to hurt his chances of being re-elected.
Let me tell by way of story why a POS like Charlie keeps getting re-elected. My cousin, whom I do love, is a hopeless, helpless person, most likely addicted to drugs. Since she really can't hold a job, she repeatedly applied for SSDI, and was dinged. After contacting Rangel's office, she was approved (she lived in his district at the time). She now lives in a Brooklyn apartment with some kind of housing assistance (Sec. 8?) and a monthly check from the govt., courtesy of you, me & the great citizens of the nearly bankrupt state of NY. Would not have happened without Charlie's assistance. You think she'll vote Republican ever? When pork flies!
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