On U.S. Rep. Charles Rangel, The New York Times reported today that “The [House Ethic Committee] report said Mr. Rangel had shown “a pattern of indifference or disregard for the laws, rules and regulations of the United States and the House of Representatives.” It also documented the major charges,” which included “his improper use of his office to solicit donations for a City University of New York center to be named in his honor; his failure to report rental income from his villa in the Dominican Republic and to pay taxes on it; his omission of some $600,000 in assets on his House financial disclosure forms; and his acceptance from a Manhattan developer of four rent-stabilized apartments, one of which he used as a campaign office.”
And for this, the Ethics Committee Chairman has recommended a “reprimand,” which the Times describes as being “considered a moderate punishment, more serious than the minor sanction of admonishment but not especially severe.”
And yet Congress continues to be perplexed as to why it’s approval rating is general less than 20 percent and disapproval rating more than 70 percent by “likely voters.”
Change won’t be effected by Washington, only by you and me, the voters. It is a pity we seem to be so apathetic.
And Charlie Rangel, of course, will keep his job.
