Representative Maxine Waters Unfairly Playing the Race Card

Rep Maxine Waters (center) attending the June 2010 signing of the Wall Street Reform Bill

After reading CNN's article titled “Waters: I will not be a sacrificial lamb for anyone” and viewing the video I believe that Representative Waters is doing this entire nation a disservice with her implications that this charge against her is racial based. One of the reasons that real racism victims are subject to the charge of playing the race card is because of abuse of someone like Waters labeling their experience as racial when it is not.

This issue is not about being “a sacrificial lamb for anyone." It is about accepting responsibility for making a bad political decision. Its about the millions of Americans who voted for President Obama and want him to achieve his agenda. Its about millions of African-Americans believing in the political process. Its about what happens to this nation after the mid-term elections.

Representative Waters should make a plea deal and accept responsibility for her action(s) or lack of action(s). I don’t believe that Waters, a senior member of the House Financial Services Committee, who felt strongly enough about helping out black owned banks to make two high powered contacts “forgot” to tell her chief of staff to stop working on the project.

Lastly, President Obama ran on a platform of accountability for everyone. Based on a 15 year old tape played on Fox News today Waters agreed that elected officials should be held accountable for their actions. It is time for Representative Waters to be accountable.

Vera Richardson