Charlie Rangel Should Resign

[FR7 Baptist]

Congressman Rangel needs to step down because his ethical violations undermine the public trust in government. One of them is that he accepted gifts, favors, and benefits that influenced official duties. In other words- bribes. I'm a Federal employee, for a few more weeks anyway, and If I were to do that I'd be fired in a heartbeat. I believe that all public employees should be held to high ethical standards, and elected officials in particular. If someone has a position with the Government, one's goal must be to serve the public, not to abuse that position for personal gain.

One of the other charges against Mr. Rangel is that he failed to report hundreds of thousands of dollars in income. I have a hard time believing that was an oversight. Even if it was, it shows gross negligence unbecoming of an elected official.

If Mr. Rangel does not resign, he should be expelled from Congress. However, I hope he will do the right thing and take responsibility for his unethical behavior and leave of his own volition.

 

[exscentric]

He needs to be held accountable by trial, whether he steps down or is given the boot, the latter preferable. The fact that they even discussed a deal tells us what we already knew about them protecting their own.

Two years they have been at this and finally they are doing something. Probably all show as to how great they are for cleaning up the pit pen called Washington -- DC that is, do not want to offend billwald and others from my neighboring state :tongue3:

 

[billwald]

Did Charlie read his income tax return? Been 30 years since I read mine. Didn't sign it for 28 years.

 

[targus]

Did Charlie read his income tax return? Been 30 years since I read mine. Didn't sign it for 28 years.

It doesn't matter - not looking at his tax return is not an excuse.

He is still responsible for compliance with the tax regulations.

 

[billwald]

The few times I heard Charlie on the TV I agreed with him 100%

Long, long time ago I heard an old timer in the House talking about government procurement contracts. He said it didn't matter how much the contracts cost as long as there was no fraud or theft involved. If we could elect someone who could cut military costs by 20% and he stole 1% of the net savings . . . he could make himself rich and it would still be a good deal for the rest of us.

 

[targus]

The few times I heard Charlie on the TV I agreed with him 100%

Long, long time ago I heard an old timer in the House talking about government procurement contracts. He said it didn't matter how much the contracts cost as long as there was no fraud or theft involved. If we could elect someone who could cut military costs by 20% and he stole 1% of the net savings . . . he could make himself rich and it would still be a good deal for the rest of us.

So this is what Rangel did ?

Saved us millions in tax dollars by cutting costs and only cheating a little ?

Of course not - so what is your point ?

 

[rbell]

So this is what Rangel did ?

Saved us millions in tax dollars by cutting costs and only cheating a little ?

Of course not - so what is your point ?

Since when did billwald ever have a point?

 

[Martin]

Congressman Rangel needs to step down because his ethical violations undermine the public trust in government. One of them is that he accepted gifts, favors, and benefits that influenced official duties. In other words- bribes.

This is a matter for the ethics committee to determine. However may I suggest that congress having any form of an ethics committee is a joke. If Rangel should resign for taking bribes, probably about 98% of the politicians in D.C. should resign as well. The only real difference between Rangel and the others is that he got caught. There are some good, honest people in Congress. But they are far out weighed by the less than honest. The only way to reform D.C. is required term limits for every elected office, no health or retirement benefits for elected officials (except the President and Vice President), and strict salary caps that can only be adjusted via popular vote. Until we get serious about stopping corruption, people like Rangel will continue to sit in elected office.

If Mr. Rangel does not resign, he should be expelled from Congress. However, I hope he will do the right thing and take responsibility for his unethical behavior and leave of his own volition.

The Democrats are unlikely to expell one of their own this close to an election and Mr. Rangel is unlikely to resign.

 

[Revmitchell]

Rangle should resign and he should be prosecuted to the fullest. And it matters not how many others do it. When we actually start holding all of them accountable they will stop. Ignoring one because of the many others is absurd.

 

[Mexdeaf]

He should be tarred and feathered. But since that won't happen then resignation with forfeiture of all retirement benefits should be appropriate.

 

[billwald]

My point is that unless it can be demonstrated that Charlie changed his vote because of a bribe the he wasn't bribed.

 

[rbell]

My point is that unless it can be demonstrated that Charlie changed his vote because of a bribe the he wasn't bribed.

That's what the trial is for...and the evidence looks overwhelming.

 

[Robert Snow]

He should be tarred and feathered. But since that won't happen then resignation with forfeiture of all retirement benefits should be appropriate.

That might be a little harsh. I have always kind of liked Rangel, but if he's broken the law, he needs to face the consequences.

 

[just-want-peace]

Wasn't Adam Clayton Powell from this same district?? He is so far in the past I've forgotten, but IIRC he (ACP) was kicked out of the house for a bunch of shenanigans a'la Rangel.

Anybody remember for sure??

 

[FR7 Baptist]

Wasn't Adam Clayton Powell from this same district?? He is so far in the past I've forgotten, but IIRC he (ACP) was kicked out of the house for a bunch of shenanigans a'la Rangel.

Anybody remember for sure??

Same district per Wikipedia.

 

[billwald]

>That's what the trial is for...and the evidence looks overwhelming.

That he had decided to vote one way and then changed his mind?

Of course, people on this list equate changing one's mind with lying. Resolve this with the problem of Charlie.

Obama says/thinks one thing and then later says/thinks another thing. This list concluded that the the first statement was a lie and the 2nd statement always was the truth.

Charlie says/thinks one thing and then later says/thinks the opposite. Does the bribe bring out the truth? What always was the truth according to Charlie?

 

[targus]

>That's what the trial is for...and the evidence looks overwhelming.

That he had decided to vote one way and then changed his mind?

Of course, people on this list equate changing one's mind with lying. Resolve this with the problem of Charlie.

Obama says/thinks one thing and then later says/thinks another thing. This list concluded that the the first statement was a lie and the 2nd statement always was the truth.

Charlie says/thinks one thing and then later says/thinks the opposite. Does the bribe bring out the truth? What always was the truth according to Charlie?

He should be booted, fined and jailed just on the tax evasion.

If someone votes to raise my taxes he sure as heck better be paying his!

 

[Bob Alkire]

Wasn't Adam Clayton Powell from this same district?? He is so far in the past I've forgotten, but IIRC he (ACP) was kicked out of the house for a bunch of shenanigans a'la Rangel.

Anybody remember for sure??

I believe you are correct. Keep in mind Powell claimed to be a Baptist minister, I forget the church he was pastor of.
That is the problem I have with so many of these guys, but the voters keep putting them back in office if they bring a little pork home, no matter how much they take.

 

[rbell]

>That's what the trial is for...and the evidence looks overwhelming.

That he had decided to vote one way and then changed his mind?

Of course, people on this list equate changing one's mind with lying. Resolve this with the problem of Charlie.

Obama says/thinks one thing and then later says/thinks another thing. This list concluded that the the first statement was a lie and the 2nd statement always was the truth.

Charlie says/thinks one thing and then later says/thinks the opposite. Does the bribe bring out the truth? What always was the truth according to Charlie?

Good grief...you must have no idea of the facts.

Rangel didn't report thousands and thousands of income.

Rangel used taxpayer dollars for his own private fundraising efforts.

And finally..."the truth according to Charlie" is irrelevant. "The truth" isn't.

 

[targus]

Good grief...you must have no idea of the facts.

Rangel didn't report thousands and thousands of income.

Rangel used taxpayer dollars for his own private fundraising efforts.

And finally..."the truth according to Charlie" is irrelevant. "The truth" isn't.

I think that you need to change that "thousands and thousands" to HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS.

I find it funny that billwald keeps complaining about his "owners" but jumps to their defense if they are liberal enough for his liking.