Congress has lost its mind...

[TheMercenary]

Just for Reflex, another "gottcha moment" or just another double standard for the Demoncrats on the Hill?

Democrats defeat GOP attempt to remove Rangel
By LARRY MARGASAK (AP) – 2 hours ago

WASHINGTON — House Republicans failed Wednesday for a third time to oust Rep. Charles Rangel as chairman of the tax-writing Ways and Means Committee, but they kept the political spotlight on his ethical problems.

The House voted 246-153 along mostly partisan lines to refer a GOP resolution to remove Rangel to the House ethics committee. The Democratic maneuver rendered the Republican effort meaningless, since Democratic leaders have said they have no intention of removing Rangel while the ethics committee is conducting a long-term investigation of his conduct.

The ethics committee's investigation of Rangel's financial and fundraising activities has been under way for about a year, and that has provided Democrats political cover to avoid taking action.

"We ought to allow that work to continue and to be completed and receive their recommendation, and we will do that," Majority Leader Steny Hoyer said Tuesday, when asked how Democrats would respond to the Republican effort.

It is unclear how long the ethics investigation will continue, but the closer it gets to the 2010 elections the bigger problem for Democrats. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has promised to drain the swamp of unethical conduct that plagued Republicans several years ago — and helped cost the GOP control of the House in the 2006 elections.

Rangel, a New York Democrat, faces allegations of financial improprieties, including failure to pay taxes on investment income and neglecting to report assets and income on his congressional financial disclosure forms.

House GOP leadership spokesman Michael Steel said the attempt to remove Rangel "highlights the Democrats' broken promises" for an open and ethical Congress.

"Obviously, given that House Democratic leaders haven't chosen to do the right thing, an important part of our strategy is to make sure the American people know they're trying to sweep these matters under the rug," Steel said. "The American people will certainly remember the Democrats' broken promises on these issues."

The ethics committee is conducting investigations of six Democrats besides Rangel and one Republican. The committee also is reviewing the practice of lawmakers steering money and contracts to favored companies, and then receiving campaign contributions in return for the "earmarks."

Rep. John Murtha, D-Pa., chairman of a subcommittee that dispenses defense dollars, is the most prominent figure in that review, although members of both parties used the same fundraising practices.

A review determines whether an investigation will be initiated.

Conservative Republican talk radio hosts have been using Rangel's case to attack the conduct of Democrats and ridicule Pelosi's promises to clean house.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/...AKF2wD9B6FKQ80

Originally Posted by TheMercenary

Just for Reflex, another "gottcha moment" or just another double standard for the Demoncrats on the Hill?

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/...AKF2wD9B6FKQ80

As far as I know, in 200+ years, there is no precedent for the House to formally remove a committee chair unless he/she has been charged with a crime.

The ethics rules provide a process for dealing with any potential ethical violations by any member of the House.

The attempt to remove Rangel from the chairmanship is purely political theater on the part of the Republicans.

Should he step down voluntarily? I would recommend it, but that is for him to decide.

Where is the double standard?

Dont let the facts get in the way of your "gotcha!"

[Urbane Guerrilla]

Originally Posted by Redux

Where is the double standard?

They are your team, Redux, and you love and root for them beyond all reason. You believe that because they are Democrats they inherently can do no wrong. This is magical thinking beyond all magical thinking. You can't see the double standard in play even when it is as plain as the dong in your crotch, to say nothing of the nose on your face and the zits on your nose.

And I call BS. You ought to be ashamed of yourself. You haven't the standing to ask where the double standard is. Your party of choice does not accord with your actual intellectual powers, and you repeatedly, habitually, utter the silliest things in Team Rocket's, uh, Team Democrat's support. Your allegiance to the Dems keeps you from using your native intelligence, Redux -- and that's a shame.

Not being enmeshed with the Democrats allows me to think much more clearly.

Your team, sir, is an institutionalized monster of unfairness, as evinced by Rep. Grayson's (D-FL) recent remarks. Let one example stand for one thousand -- and none apologized for nor repented from, like good people would do and your boys don't. YOUR damfool boys have launched a frontal assault on one fifth of the world's economy and are bent on its destruction by socialist redistributionism, economic illiteracy, and buying one helluva cycle of inflation with their inventing budget dollars out of thin air.

The Democratic Party's actions shall prevent me from voting for any Democratic candidate for any office for the rest of my days -- on the grounds of institutional incompetence.

The facts, dear boy, are why there's a "gotcha." Charlie Rangel's "explanation" of the matter -- well, he's stupid enough to think Americans are going to buy it, or shouldn't see any problem with it. Arrogance meets thickheadedness, and thickheadedness is a disqualification for office. Team Democrat, "blasting off agaiiiiiinnnnn...."