Do you think her political rep can get her out of hot water?
By Jewell Washington
Congressional ethics charges against Rep. Maxine Waters, D-California, have nearly plundered her to rock bottom in Washington, DC. But away from Captiol Hill, Los Angeles community members say they still have love for the 10-term Democratic congresswoman.
Waters is facing three allegations, most notably that she helped Massachusetts-based bank, One United, receive nearly $12 million in federal taxpayer bailout funds last year. Her husband is a former One United stockholder and a former board member. Now, Waters is on trial facing ethics charges for intervening at a bank where she and her husband had substantial investment. She says she’s always been focused on assisting minority banks like this one, the bank met funding criteria and that she and her team did nothing wrong. Her political counterparts are worried that all the swirling charges could hurt Democrats in the approaching November election.
But voters who have been helped by Waters say politicians are just trying to make her look bad. She has served in her community for decades, and now the history of what she’s done is being brought to light just as much as what she’s been accused of. Her high-esteemed rep includes:
- Increasing home ownership by persuading banks to boost lending and offering counseling for troubled borrowers.
- Serving as a housing and community subcommittee board chairman.
- Advocating immigration overhaul and helping to fight blight.
- Giving community members employment coaching, feedback and extensive assistance with the job process.
- Supporting African-Americans in housing communities who were unfairly being evicted.
Supporters of Waters say she’s a naturally helpful person and that her actions with One United were honest intentions. Even if Waters is proven guilty of moral and political wrongdoing, her past dealings as a positive community leader should outweigh any negative transgressions.
I truly believe there is nothing like the power of good character and being able to use it as a chief cornerstone in your life when facing hard times. Waters is in deep career troubles, and her reputation has become essential in trying to prove one thing: if she’s a good person that does good things. At the same time, I hope that her community achievements won’t mask the fact that she should be held accountable for any proven ethical and illegal bad behavior.
What do you think? Should Representative Maxine Waters be forgiven for any mistakes since she’s known for havng a helpful heart? Or should she pay for her moral mishaps despite a good reputation?
Photo Credit: Essence.com
Great write-up J! For starters, yes Ms Waters have done a lot to be applauded for Washington and especially for California however politicians MUST be held accountable for their actions. She can’t feel entitled to break the law despite her good reputation. I will actually argue that her reputation is now tainted. When ethics issues are raised, it can tarnish your career and Maxine is now in risk of having that happen to her. While I admire her as a woman, I can’t help but see how coincidental it is that her husband’s company is apart of this controversy which says to me that she had a hand in it and used her position as a means of power. But I digress. We are innocent until proven guilty. Like the determination she’s shown in her work, I’m sure she will be just as determined to vindicate herself and clear her name.
^^^Wow, disregard my typos and grammatical mishaps; I’m on my blackberry.
Ty you make excellent points! Politicians (even though it may not seem sometimes lol) are as human as u & I…and they by all means must be held accountable for their actions. And the fact that she has potentially tarnished her image even more after this is definitely food for thought….& the fact that it’s a bank where she & her husband invested may be the exact shoe that makes this scandal fit. tsk tsk. lol. But like you said innocent until proven guilty….hopefully all things will work out for the best. Thanks so much for ur comment chica & no worries abt the BB it happens to the best of us…I knw ur straight journalism fab! LOL :=)