Rangel Continues To Embarass Congress, Himself

Rep. Rangel(D, NY) continued to show why Mr. Obama must ask for his resignation from at least the Chairmanship of the House Ways and Means committee. Fresh after paying the first part of his debt to the IRS, whose rules he writes, he claimed he was simply the victim of a "guerrilla war" by the Republicans. He claimed he did nothing dishonorable and did not violate the public trust, despite not only significant tax irregularities, but using three rent controlled apartments rolled into one as a residence, and a separate one as an office. In addition, there was some questionable fundraising tactics. Mr. Rangel claimed this was all "insinuation and half truths" despite admitting it was all true.

As if this was not enough, he felt it necessary, or perhaps funny, to call Ms. Palin "disabled", and that she should be pitied, rather than taken seriously. There is really no lack of ways that this is offensive, ranging from the fact that Ms. Palin's newborn son has Down's Syndrome, that she is a woman, that she is Mr. McCain's running mate, who is somewhat disabled due to war injuries or just the fact that pity and dismissal is hardly the appropriate way to handle someone who is disabled. In fact, it is hard for there to be an innocent explanation.

Advocates for the disabled of course were upset and noted that FDR was disabled. More to the point, is Mr. Rangel seriously saying that wounded veterans should not serve in political office? That disabilities would disqualify someone from the presidency?

Of course, the Republicans have plenty of unethical members as well, such as ex-Rep. Mark Foley. However, with Mr. Obama running primarily, if not exclusively, on changing Washington, he must not overlook such a blatantly unethical man in such a powerful position. Rep. Rangel simply must resign as at least the Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee.