Now, it appears that evading responsibility and professing ignorance when confronted with embarrassing scandals is Pelosi’s new modus operandi. In fact, she employed a similar approach earlier this year when it was revealed that former Rep. Eric Massa – another New York Democrat – resigned his office due to allegations of sexual harassment made by male staff members.
In addition to the Massa and Rangel scandals, Pelosi must also address allegations that Rep. Maxine Waters (D-California) – a career politician who has held office for more than three decades – helped steer bailout funds to a bank in which her husband owns stock. Like Rangel, Waters is facing an ethics trial in the House.
Will Waters’ scandal be swept under the rug as well so that Democrats can avoid additional bad press prior to the election?
That would certainly appear to be the emerging pattern.
Clearly neither party has proven capable of reforming – or restraining – the destructive forces that dominate decision-making Washington, D.C., but the promises of Pelosi ring especially hollow. And absent draconian new ethics laws (that are actually enforced) and real reforms – like term limits – the swamp that has infested our nation’s capital will never be drained.