Standing athwart our descent into Idiocracy, HotAir correspondent Jason Mattera decided to help us descend even further by asking Charlie Rangel about his tax problems on the attached video. While the question he asked was not as bad and as personal as something that the sleazy Mike Stark has asked, it was still just a worthless question about Rangel himself rather than about things that are important.

Jason Matera's introduction made me hopeful that he was going to ask something important, as he talked about people suffering due to the downturn. Then, like a worthless imp mugging for the camera, he asked Rangel about his taxpayer-funded car and his homes. Rangel replied "why don't you mind your own (goshdarned) business."

So, you caught a Congressman swearing on tape, big whoop.

Let me be frank: if Hot Air wants to actually do something effective, find someone who's as daring as Mattera but who's also intelligent enough to press politicians on important matters rather than engaging in juvenile activity. Way back on February 8, I sent Matterra an email suggesting that he ask a real question about the stimulus. Instead, all he can come up with is things like this.

If anyone would like to do a better job, go ask this question.

3/13/09 UPDATE: Glenn Reynolds links (pajamasmedia.com/instapundit/73126) to a Mattera interview by Joe Hicks of Pajamas Media; all of them pretend he's actually doing something worthwhile:
pjtv.com/video/PJTV_Daily/
Exposing_Corrupt_Members_of_Congress_with_Jason_Mattera/1508