A measure of the Panic in Washington..

We have written about Charlie Rangel before here and here. For those who may not know, Charlie is a Democratic CongressCritter from New York. He is Chairman of the House Ways and Means committee. This is the committee that writes our tax laws. So, he is a pretty big deal.

Well, we actually should say he 'was' the chairman. He recently was found by the House Ethics committee to have committed various violations of House rules. Now, for a Republican, this would have meant instant pressure from all quarters to step aside. But, when you are a Democrat, it is different. Speaker Pelosi decided to leave Rangel in place - unless the ethics committee found something 'else'. So much for her promise to 'drain the swamp' and have the 'most ethical congress ever'.

But, that was yesterday. Today it seems the heat is so bad in Washington for the Democrats that Rangel was, in fact, forced to step down. Now, he said it was voluntary. Wait...let me find it.. there... I know you can't see it, but I just threw the bullshit flag for that assertion.

Rangel would NEVER voluntarily step aside. His post, next to the Speaker of the House, was the most powerful in the House. He had free hand to write tax law (which, of course, he freely ignored as it applied to him). This power made him a very popular guy with lobbyists trying to persuade him. That was the root of his ethics problem - gifts from evil corporations. (I thought only Republicans did that?)

No, gentle reader, you are seeing the result of abject panic amongst the Democrats. Even they realize they are in HUGE trouble in the fall. Clearly, Princess Pelosi got the message when even other members of the Congressional Black Caucus (Charlie is a founding member) started telling her Rangel had to go. They apparently cared more about staying in office than protecting a fellow traveler.

My sentiment - good riddance. And don't let the door of the cloak room hit you in the ass on the way out.