What We Learn from Charlie Rangel

The censuring of veteran New York Congressman Charles Rangel (D-NY) is a sad, distrubing story that reflects the our current political climate.

Let's face it: The congressman admitted to doing several things that clearly did not pass the ethical smell test.  He's now paying the price for transactions that in the halls of Congress are probably pretty benign. No American truly believes any congressman is "holier than thou". Rangel got caught at time when Americans want to make sure their elected officals pay the price for their wrongdoings.   He is a victim of his own shortsightedness and the conservative movement of American taking it shots at "liberals" who they are positioning as people who don't have Americans interest in hand. 

Should this censure overshadow a long career where he fought for services and projects in his district? No, it shouldn't, but forever will Congressman Rangel have a dark cloud over his legacy.  So, you've got to ask the question why would such a politically savvy politician get caught? Better yet, why did he run for another term when his legacy could have been preserved without the taint of censure? 

Unfortunately, Rangel got sucked into a political climate where arrogance is the driving philosophy.  This "arrogance" permeates all the political parties. It places individual values over those of the public good. It insults every hardworking American voter who believe their elected representatives should take care of the interests of the district - not to line their pockets with gifts, trips or other niceties. 

Here are some lessons we should learn, particularly as we prepare for a very divisive presential campaign season:

* Every African-American and Hispanic politician is under a microscope more than ever.   The cynical, ugly reality is that the "take back America" movement is all about removing a president who happens to be black.  The same folks who are calling for this "return to values" are the same folks who chastized those who criticized President Bush for anything he did.  The message is very clear: Any black or Hispanic politician's wrongdoing is a reflection of our president's moral authority - whether you like it or not - that's the way the rhetoric is going.

* As voters, we need to encourage ourselves to get involved.  We need to engage our friends and family in thoughtful and informed discussions about what the facts are - beyond the sound bites, political rhetoric and hatemongering.

* Question authority.  Yes, let's not forget this legendary term.  Voters need to hold all their elected officials accountable - regardless of the political affiliation. At the same time, we need to question and challenge media to get it right, to be fair, through and ask the tough questions.  Too many journalists are simply accepting information without questioning its veracity or putting it into proper context.  Every reader and viewer deserves this. It's absolutely critical to our democracy.