Jenci Spradlin

If we were to look up the word "tolerance" in the dictionary, we would no doubt see Rep. Charles Rangel's (D-NY) toothy grin smiling back from its pages. 

It is no surprise then that just yesterday Rangel sponsored H.R. 246, Expressing Support for a National Week of Reflection and Tolerance. 

Indeed, let us "reflect" up some of the many reasons the Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) named Rangel among its list of "The 20 Most Corrupt Members of Congress." 

• Improper leasing of rent controlled apartments in NYC;
• Improperly using Congressional stationary; and,
• Failing to disclose rental income on financial disclosure forms.

Never mind that as Chairman of the powerful House Ways and Means Committee Rangel should  have known better. 

In an article written by Aaron Kiersh in the Columbia University Spectator on February 23, 2009, Kiersh writes:

Still, Rangel remains unfazed by the controversy. Asked if he was worried about losing his committee chairmanship, Rangel responded with a smile as he walked out of the synagogue, saying, “That is a question that will be decided in 2010,” he said. “That’s an election year.”

Congressional blog correspondent Jason Matera with the DC Examiner got an even more telling response when he confronted Rangel for a piece that appeared on March 11, 2009.  Matera was questioning Rangel's use of taxpayer money ($777 per month to be exact) to lease a luxury automobile for his personal transportation.  Writes Matera:

Is it too much to ask that he lease this lavish car with his own money and not ours? He is worth between $566,000 and $1.2 million, after all, according to his official financial disclosure reports.

Rep. Rangel, what say you? Why should you drive a Cadillac paid for by tax dollars? He gave us his answer during our recent encounter: “Why don’t you mind your g-------d business?”

It seems clear that "tolerance" takes on a whole new meaning when viewed through the lens of Rangel's past.  What we're being asked to "tolerate" is ongoing arrogance, corrupt actions, and a flagrant disregard for the very people whose votes elected them all into office in the first place. 

Sure Charlie, we'll take a week and "reflect" on "tolerance" and "diversity" if that be your will, but there is a growing unrest among WE THE PEOPLE who do not like the image that is being reflected back to us in the mirror by you and your Congressional colleagues on both sides of the aisle.  Let this be fair warning that we will NOT tolerate this any longer.  Yes, we continued to re-elect corrupt Senators and Representatives, but NO MORE! If it is "diversity" you desire, then "diversity" you shall receive as we vote you and your corrupt and ineffective kind out and usher in fresh faces who will represent us and not their own self-interest. 

What was that Charlie? You are going to put in a new water line and walking trail in my neighborhood?  Oh, and fund a community center up near the old ball park? (The same ball park that is also going to get a new face-lift?)  Hmmmm.  Yeah, I did visit that jobs training center you funded two years ago when I lost my job.  It was really nice.  You mean you also gave money to my alma mater ten years ago when they were needing to add that new research and technology park, the one that I studied under when I was getting my degree?

OK Chuck, just PROMISE me that you won't do this again, alright?  (And keep those earmarks coming!)

(The above conversation is fictional; however, it represents the real challenge that voters can have when trying to unseat an incumbent due to the practice of budgetary earmarks.  It's all fine and well and good when it helps YOUR community, but when it's helping someone else's community, it suddenly seems rediculous.  Just who is tolerating whom?)