There's a lot going on in our campaign - just yesterday we were joined by representatives from the UFT and several elected Dems at a press conference on
improving education - but I wanted to comment today on the terrible scandal currently taking place in DC. As a Congressional candidate, I can't let this go by without expressing how gravely upset I am by Mark Foley's acts and by the Republicans' cover-up. It's clear that Dennis Hastert should resign. As speaker of the House - not just of the Republicans but of the entire House - his irresponsibility besmirches all members of Congress. Yet my opponent - the very one who claims to be "an independent fighter for us" and makes no mention of his being a Republican anywhere on his site - is showing just how loyal a Republican he is, sticking by his cronies even when they refused to protect -indeed helped to harm - children.
Here is
Vito Fossella's statement on Foley:
"Mr. Foley's behavior was inappropriate, offensive and repugnant. If the allegations are true, Mr. Foley should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. There are currently federal and state investigations that are going on as well as an investigation by the House Ethics Committee. We do not yet have all the facts on whom in Congress knew the full extent of what was occurring or when those individuals knew it. I will wait for all the facts to be presented before passing judgment on their actions. I will continue to monitor this closely. I also donated $2000 in contributions from Mr. Foley to organizations in Staten Island and Brooklyn."
Now just look at the first two sentences. First, a statement condemning what happened. Then a sentence that begins with an "If:" "If the allegations are true...." The statements contradict one another. Fossella's position just doesn't make sense.
But okay. Let's get beyond the first two lines. Let's assume my opponent does indeed believe, as I and almost everyone else do, that Mr. Foley's behavior was horrendous. Then how does he explain the lack of action on the part of the Republican leadership? Why does he say that the matter should be referred to others? Of course, Congressman Fossella's declaration that he "will continue to monitor this closely" is in keeping with his character: he "monitors" issues but never does anything about them. That's not what we need in our representatives.
Our children should look to the House of Representatives as a place to aspire to; they should want to become members themselves. But the behavior of Foley and of the Republicans makes the House a place the next generation will not want to join, but run away from. Protocol has it that we add "Honorable" before a Congressperson's name, but that title is more than questionable now. It's unfortunate that the House Ethics Committee has so much to investigate. I look forward to the day when it doesn't. I look forward to the day when "Honorable" has true meaning.