Congressman Rangel – It’s Time to Pay Your Taxes

Monday’s Wall Street Journal editorial section did an interesting piece on Charlie Rangel and his purportedly questionable understanding of the tax code. After reading the editorial, it became clear to me that he must be suffering from “taxation myopia.” Myopia is defined as an eyesight abnormality resulting from the eye’s faulty refractive ability; distant objects appear blurred. Clearly all the money the congressman has been making from the rental of his Dominican Republic villa must be hard to see. While I do not believe that “taxation myopia” is an official diagnosis supported by the American Medical Association or covered by insurance, especially a government funded plan, I am hopeful that the congressman will seek treatment for his ailment. I can recommend an excellent ophthalmologist if he is interested.

There are a number of politicians who routinely can be called hypocritical but, after reading this editorial, it is clear that Congressman Rangel is qualified to wear this moniker. His unbelievable chutzpah knows no bounds. The Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, as part of the House of Representatives, health care reform bill has come out and supported imposing a surtax on individuals with adjusted gross income of more than $280,000 a year. When asked about this surtax, Rangel said “it is the moral thing to do.” How are we supposed to take Rangel seriously and accept the pain of higher taxes when he  keeps four rent stabilized apartments in Manhattan for himself and his family (in addition to the one he kept an office in, which is in direct violation of rent control laws)? Does the congressman not realize there is an acute shortage of middle income housing in Manhattan and that he is hogging up apartments that could go to his more worthy constituents?

It has been reported that the House Ethics Committee is currently investigating Rangel on no fewer than six separate issues.  It is time for Chairman Rangel to recuse himself until a thorough investigation into his financial affairs is completed. Chairman Rangel has no standing to tell the American public and small business owners it is the moral thing to pay more taxes when it is alleged he has spent the last thirty years fudging his. It is impossible for any hard working taxpayer to take the congressman seriously when he can’t get his own tax returns in order.  So much for “a new kind of politics.”

Tags: Charles Rangel, david brill, House of Representatives, hypocrite, rent control, taxes