Declaration of Independence, July 1776—“That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, that whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it.”

New York Democrat Congressman Charles Rangel, March 2009—“Why don’t you mind your [expletive] business?” when Jason Mattera, Young Americans for Freedom, asked Rangel about his tax dodges.

Congressman Rangel got away with this “in your face” arrogant reply to a young American asking a fair question. Can Rangel do this and get away with it? Yes.

Rangel is a tax cheat, but he is also a powerful liberal black Democrat. He will continue to be re-elected from his Harlem, N.Y., district. There has not been and will not be any check on his arrogance and foul mouth or his entrenched power in the Congress.

He is the chairman of a powerful and influential House committee. President Obama needs Rangel heading that committee to support his socialist agenda.

If we lose our freedom to confront and question members of Congress, then we the people lose our Declaration of Independence rights. Congress and government are beholden to all people, not just in their district (who are basically pork voters).

As Americans, we either believe in the consent of the governed or we abandon the Declaration of Independence. This allows entrenched Democrats like Rangel to have no fear that the rest of America can alter his behavior, abolish his power or take his seat in Congress.

Congressman Rangel and dozens like him are a part of the slow poison running through the veins of the culture in the Congress, led by Speaker Pelosi, who has difficulty separating lies from the truth.

Guy Barber