Thoughts on former NY Congressman Massa and his troubles

Perhaps the most intriguing Democratic political scandal since the late 90’s has to be that of now former Congressman Eric Massa of New York. From his initial claim that he was stepping down due to cancer, to allegations of an uncomfortable confrontation in a health club shower over his health care vote with White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel, and finally, his admission to inappropriate comments to a staffer at a wedding, there is utter confusion as to what happened in the weeks leading up to his resignation.

This story has also taken on yet another puzzling dimension with the odd embrace of Massa by conservative talk radio show hosts like Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity. Despite Massa’s adamant support for the Public Health Care Option, a position most conservatives oppose, they are calling him a conservative hero in the fight against a government takeover of health care.

Add to this, Massa is now claiming that his resignation was the result of pressure from the White House and his fellow congressmen, proclaiming himself as the decisive vote on healthcare. The House Ethics Committee then stated that Rep. Massa was being forced out due to the wedding incident, and were contacted by a friend of the staffer, contradicting Massa’s claim that he was never contacted by Ethics Chairman Steny Hoyer or his staff. Nonetheless, he is insistent upon blaming his resignation on his own party’s pressure over a yes vote on the senate bill.

It is my opinion, that while he may have been under enormous pressure from all sides with regards to his vote on health care reform, his acknowledgement to the inappropriate actions he took should end the conversation. In a political environment where restoring public trust is of the utmost importance, there is no room for people like Massa who take their elected responsibilities for granted. Even if it was a joke, you have to know that as an elected official, your every action will be scrutinized, and the opposing party will always use your mistakes against you. In the end Mr. Massa, you have no one to blame but yourself.