Rangel and Frank and Massa: Oh My
On September 23, Congressmen Charlie Rangel and Barney Frank held a birthday party for Rep. Eric Massa at the home of a Washington lobbyist. Had you known about it, you could have attended as a “host” for $5,000, a “sponsor” for $2,500 or a “guest” for $1,500. Who are the men who hosted this gala?
Charlie Rangel is head of the powerful House Ways and Means Committee, which writes tax law. Rangel is under investigation by the House Ethics Committee for, among other things, failure to pay taxes. Melanie Sloan of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, a non-partisan watchdog group, lists Rangel as one of the most corrupt members of Congress. Ms. Sloan has said, “There is a pattern of violations that suggest at a minimum carelessness and arrogance that he thinks the rules don’t apply to him.” Remember,Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi promised to end the “culture of corruption” and to “drain the swamp.” In the case of Rangel, she’s done nothing. But wait, there’s more.
Barney Frank heads another powerful committee, the House Banking Committee. He writes laws which affect how lending institutions make loans. Frank was the ranking member of this committee while he was having a long-term relationship with Herb Moses, a Fannie Mae executive (Frank called Moses his “spouse.”) Moses was instrumental in developing many of Fannie’s home loan programs, which were central to the collapse of the sub-prime mortgage market. When President Bush proposed reforming Fannie Mae, Barney Frank strongly objected, stating “These two entities [Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac] are not facing any kind of financial crisis.” That untruth helped create a crisis that has damaged the American economy.
What about Eric Massa? He said he wouldn’t take PAC money. Then he did. He said he couldn’t rely on struggling middle-class families to fund his campaign. It’s clear he has no problem relying on corrupt Congressional leaders who are adept at amassing cash. Eric Massa has said he’s an independent voice, but he’ll take money from the extreme liberal leadership of his party. Speaker Pelosi has given Massa $8,000. Remember, Massa has said he represents a “right-wing Republican district.” He has said of his constituents, “I will adamantly vote against the interests of my district.”
What about Eric Massa? He said he wouldn’t take PAC money. Then he did. He said he couldn’t rely on struggling middle-class families to fund his campaign. It’s clear he has no problem relying on corrupt Congressional leaders who are adept at amassing cash. Eric Massa has said he’s an independent voice, but he’ll take money from the extreme liberal leadership of his party. Speaker Pelosi has given Massa $8,000. Remember, Massa has said he represents a “right-wing Republican district.” He has said of his constituents, “I will adamantly vote against the interests of my district.”
We know people by the company they keep and the veracity of what they say. If Massa stands with Rangel, Frank and Pelosi, he doesn’t stand with us. Values and judgment are revealed when we think no one is looking. Massa’s promises, like his values, are matters of convenience, and blow with the wind.
