How big of a margin would this pass by if put to a national vote:
Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.), the ranking member on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, said, “If lawmakers are found guilty of or admit to violations of House ethics rules, having their pension revoked should be a consequence that the ethics committee should be allowed to impose.”
Rep. Issa is, of course, talking specifically about Rep. Charles Rangel, who is about to face a trial for 13 various ethical violations.
Rangel has used his power and influence over the last 40 years to grow his own personal wealth (all the while, dodging the tax man at every turn to prevent from having to pay taxes on those ill-gotten gains). Hell yeah he should forgo his ridiculously large pension (about $150,000 per year) if he’s found guilty.
He used his position in Congress to get rich. If it turns out he did so illegally, then he should lose any and all benefits. Same goes for all members of the Federal government.
Of course, if we’re counting on Congress to actually change the rules to punish themselves for illegal and corrupt behavior, we’re going to be waiting a long, long time.
Currently only lawmakers convicted of felonies for crimes committed after September 2007 will lose their congressional pension.
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Won’t ever happen to Chuck. It will be deemed racist and just another ploy of the white man trying to keep a brotha down.
Have fun in Puerto Rico, Jax. Don’t let Linda get too crazy at the Bacardi factory…
Not too much worry about getting crazy at the Bacardi factory. The tour will put you to sleep and the 2 tiny thimbles of Bacardi you get to sample don’t cause much of a buzz.
Haha. Dude, I am writing on the plane as we exchange comments. Linda is kinda mad because we got seated apart from each other.
I’ll keep her out of trouble. We are going to have a great time.