The House gave Charlie Rangel some speaking time on the floor today.  It went a little something like this:  “You disrespectful young punks! And furthermore, when I was kid I didn’t have shoes! We used to respect our elders, dammit.  Then there was this time in 1963 when I couldn’t get ice cream, and goddamit, when’s my nap time?”

Yeah.  He used to chair the committee that creates our tax code.  I’m sure that’s been good for America.  At least these politicians’ egos make for entertaining exits from public life.

I don’t hate Charlie Rangel.  He served in the Army in a war much tougher than mine, and seems like he’s probably a nice man.  But that’s not going to cut it for America anymore.  We need people of true character, accountability and restraint creating the laws of our land.