The Perils of Black Power

[jaysunb]

Right now, black politicians are all over the news for misdeeds. Is it a conspiracy or evidence of real power?
By: Joel Dreyfuss | Posted: March 3, 2010 at 4:39 PM


Meanwhile, there is a long list of white politicians who have gotten into trouble for their behavior and received media scrutiny for it. In addition to Spitzer, there was Gov. Mark Sanford of South Carolina who sneaked off to see an Argentinean amor, and Jim McGreevey of New Jersey who admitted to having a homosexual extramarital affair. On Tuesday, New York’s Rep. Eric Massa announced he will retire for health reasons, amid accusations that he sexually harassing a male staffer.

No one should defend the behavior of Rangel, Barry or Paterson on the grounds that white politicians have done the same or worse. African Americans should hold their leaders to the highest standards at all times. The end doesn’t justify the means.

Rangel’s exit from his chairmanship is a huge loss of power for him—and by extension, for African Americans. After 40 years in Congress, he finally reached the top spot of the House Ways and Means Committee, a powerful body that controls legislation on taxes, international trade and entitlements like Social Security, Medicare and welfare. The committee has played a key role in President Barack Obama’s health care reform legislation.

http://www.theroot.com/views/perils-black-power?page=0,1

[Go2Peace]

1. I LOVE Rangel, but he did some really stupid shit

I think it is something about Washington that one get's careless and believes they are infallible. Is the recent spate of these race based? I am not sure. I *do* know that if they are liberal and/or black they get twice as much heat layed on when they do fall.

[jaysunb]

2. Rangel is a good man ....

but I don't think anyone has ever been able to take advantage of goodies placed in front of us, and I'm not so sure we should. :shrug: But, hey, the rules are the rules.

[Captain Hilts]

3. Same here. It's incumbency. Rangel was just there too long. All the best, Charlie. nt

[Hekate]

4. Me too. I've listened to his interviews and loved the sly old fox....

... but after 40 years, he may have outfoxed himself, and it's sad.

Hekate

[classysassy]

5. Black Power

is a myth,we have been granted limited power to rule among ourselves,national and international power is still in the hands of the whites.Case in point most blacks were elated to see Obama elected to the highest office in the land.As a realist,Obama realized someone else would be pulling the strings,he can't do anything of substance for the so called black community because that would seem as if he giving something to blacks that the majority of citizens have a problem with.Most of the black citizens are very disappointed with Obama' s give away to the greedy bankers and arms dealers,while we continue to suffer in silence.There are plenty of white crooks out there,too many,the black crooks are in the minority because there are fewer of us and we haven't been in the game as long as our white brothers.

[billyclem]

6. Rangel and the other blacks in power have not had enough time to master the Corn Theory.

The Corn Theory applies to any type of scrutiny or external watchdogs, such as the media or the opposition party. If they are after you it is like they are out to pick corn and will not stop until their bag is full. A Master of the Corn Theory will leave sufficient small ears around that don't do much damage so the picker will fill the bag before finding the big, juicy ears. They are on the politician learning curve.