U.S. Rep. William Jefferson Appeals Court Clears Way for Rep. Jefferson Trial

Hispanic News Calls for Jefferson to Resign
(Original article written two years ago)

PHOENIX (By Jon Garrido, Hispanic News) June 12, 2006 - With so much at stake in winning the 2006 Elections, Jefferson has the moral and ethical responsibility to do the right thing. With dilution of due process and fundamental fairness as a result of Republican amendments to Senate Bill 2611, the majority of applicants will not qualify making the proposed legislation destined to fail.

No bill then becomes better than a bad bill.

The Hispanic News position is for the proposed immigration legislation to fail in House Senate reconciliation with a new bill emerging after the November elections. The highest priority for Hispanics now becomes institutional change in Washington congressional leadership by working with Democrats to replace Republicans in the 2006 elections with the House as priority.

Planning is now underway for involvement of Hispanic News by establishing the Hispanic News Political Action Committee where the Hispanic News PAC will focus on 2006 elections in the southwest as it gears up for 2008.

The Democratic national strategy of exposing the Culture of Corruption as evidenced by Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham (R-Calif.) pleading guilty to receiving $2.4 million in bribes is crucial to winning the 2006 elections.

Winning in November is an uphill battle judging from the GOP win in California's 50th House District this past week without being hindered by Congressional Democrats fighting for "presumption of innocence" as a red herring in protecting one of their own from being associated with the Culture of Corruption.

While Rep. William Jefferson of Louisiana has not been indicted, two men tied to Jefferson have been found guilty in the probe. Additionally, the FBI claims that it videotaped the Louisianan last summer taking $100,000 in bribe money and that agents later found $90,000 of the money stashed in a freezer in his home. With 90,000 dollars found in his freezer, it is difficult to justify a presumption of innocence.

What then has greater value: The "presumption of innocence" or winning in November?

The Congressional Black Caucus stated Jefferson deserves a "presumption of innocence" as it played the race card. Race was a further complication in the episode. Jefferson is black, and some Democrats say black voters could be alienated if he is forced aside.

Jefferson and the Congressional Black Caucus that support him are using the Separation of Powers and the "presumption of innocence" to evade prosecution. No one is above the law. For someone to know the truth and yet to hide behind constitutional safeguards does not only a disservice to himself but jeopardizes the outcome of the 2006 elections.

Jefferson is already tagged as a member of the Culture of Corruption and this in itself should suffice to have him resign. For the Congressional Black Caucus to defend Jefferson for what ever reason places Jefferson above the need to win the 2006 elections. This in itself derails the Democratic strategy to use the elimination of the Culture of Corruption to win votes in November.

This is the second time in recent memory where the Congressional Black Caucus finds itself on the wrong side of justice. Most recently it was Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney, (D-Ga.) stating the Capitol Police had violated her rights as a member of congress.

If the Congressional Black Caucus prevails in safeguarding Jefferson's right of the "presumption of innocence," the double edge sword could alienate Hispanic voters.

What does Jefferson have to do with Hispanics?

For Hispanics, the most important task is to change Washington leadership. Favorable comprehensive immigration reform can only be achieved by changing House leadership thereby removing committee chairmen such as James Sensenbrenner. The welfare of millions of undocumented immigrants from achieving citizenship and providing for their own welfare and of their families is at stake. To have this dream disappear like a puff of smoke would be unforgivable and places America in a moral dilemma.

It is time for the Democrats to get their House in order.

To continue to support Jefferson, at the risk of loosing the vote of those that want change to eliminate the culture of corruption but more importantly, to change House leadership, is a formula for disaster.

Using quid pro quo for votes in order to make change in Washington, if Hispanic voters recruited to vote for Democrats realize Democrats condone membership in the Culture of Corruption, Hispanic voters will have no reason to vote in 2006.

We all understand the GOP wants to make us all felons and deport us. Our only hope is with Democrats but not if they cut their own throats.

When Jefferson is found guilty and there is no "if" here, particularly if this were to occurred in October, the 2006 election opportunity will go down in flames and not even a freezer full of money will be enough to extinguish the flames.

We as American Hispanics want to do our part. The Democratic Congressional leadership must do it's part to achieve victory.

What then has greater value: The "presumption of innocence" or winning in November?

There is no infringement on the "presumption of innocence" for this falls into the realm of the court. The court will decide Mr. Jefferson's innocence or guilt; however, there is already membership in the Culture of Corruption as attested to in court proceedings for the Jefferson aide and for the other Jefferson business partner.

The handwriting is on the wall. Let's hope Jefferson does not take down with him the 2006 election and in doing so, place Hispanics at peril.

The stakes are too high in November and Jefferson's continued presence in Washington presumably would allow Republicans to blur the issue in the midterm elections. The truth about Jefferson will eventually be determined in a courtroom and for the sake of winning the 2006 elections, he should now resign or be forced out of office.