Kudos to a Fellow Classmate

Upon first inspection of More Corruption Swept Under the Rug, which criticizes the behavior of prominent government officials, I was already blown away by its length alone. But after careful analysis, I came to realize that Dann’s post achieved not only quantity but also, more importantly, quality. He brings to our attention an issue that I concordantly lament that many Americans overlook—the lack of response to political corruption. The scorn and contempt he displays is evident through his primary example of the House Ethics Committee’s reaction to Congressman Charlie Rangel’s tax violations. He expresses his disdain of the committee’s decision to punish Rangel with a reprimand by providing a series of useful comparisons. Dann enhances the credibility of his argument by revealing the absurdity of simply reprimanding Rangel. He does so by listing the instances in which the House has chosen to use reprimands. He further insults the House by pointing out other cases when it failed to pursue effective punishments. This provides a segway into Dann’s second point: that Congressmen use of the technique of bashing their opponents is underhanded and foul. He supports this argument by highlighting the hypocrisy of Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi in promising that she would “drain the swamp” and preside over “the most ethical Congress in history” while subsequently “going easy” on Charlie Rangel.

Dann’s effective use of evidence, his intensely critical tone, and his flawless logic comprise an incredibly convincing post criticizing corruption and hypocrisy. He manages to persuade all readers to agree that not only are such maladies occuring, but they have also become so commonplace that Americans are no longer shocked. He ignites an indignance that will hopefully lead to action and protest.