Posted on 10/07/2009 3:43:14 PM PDT by Libloather
GOP Thwarted; Rangel Escapes With His Job
But Damage Is Done To Congressman As Dems Powerless To Stop Laundry List Of Allegations Made For 30 Minutes
Rep. Carter Lays Into Democrats Over Double Standard On Tax Charges
Reporting Marcia Kramer
Oct 7, 2009 5:19 pm US/Eastern
WASHINGTON (CBS) - It was a showdown in Congress.
Business came to a standstill on Wednesday as House Democrats and Republicans battled it out over whether to remove embattled Congressman Charles Rangel from his post of a powerful tax committee.
Rangel is the fourth most senior member of the House, so it must have been acutely embarrassing to have all his dirty laundry aired before Congress. Allegation after allegation took a full 17 minutes to read, and that was just the first time.
"The man who is in charge of writing the nation's tax laws doesn't pay his federal income or property taxes," said Rep. John Carter, R-Texas.
Rangel wasn't on the floor of the House on Wednesday afternoon for the resolution to dump him while his multiple ethics problems are probed. He was hiding out in the Ways and Means committee room, but his ears had to be ringing.
"He has such a poor grasp of his own finances that he neglects to list all of his assets in a disclosure form intended to keep members of Congress accountable and honest. We can hear the defense of the next tax deadbeat called into court. If Charlie Rangel doesn't have to pay his taxes, why should I?" Carter said.
Democrats brushed back the third attempt to have Rangel step down while the long running -- 16 months and counting -- House ethics probe continues. But it had to be an acid indigestion moment for Rangel to have the list of his ethics problems read twice.
It's as much a problem for House Democratic leaders as for Rangel himself.
Once by Congressman Carter, once by the clerk … for 30 minutes Democrats were helpless to stop it.
"Can any member of this body claim the privilege of the House for an hour based on something they read in the newspaper at any time they want?" Rep. Gary Ackerman, D-Queens, told CBS 2 HD.
The answer? Yes.
Later Congressman Rangel issued a statement through a spokesman claiming the resolution was an attempt to circumvent House rules.
"Let's look at the resolution for what it really is," said the spokesman "a highly partisan effort designed to undermine the important work in Congress on health care reform."
New York Gov. David Paterson agreed.
"It's a headline based on someone who is having problems," Paterson said.
The popularity-challenged governor was asked if he'd be interested in Rangel's seat if the congressman resigns or chooses not to run.
"You must be kidding," was his response.
Afterwards Congressman Carter charged that Democrats had employed a double standard, saying its okay for Rangel to avoid paying taxes while regular Americans face massive penalties and interest charges for the same infractions.
Tax-cheat Charlie disagrees with that?
The Party of MegaCorruption wins another BIG one!!! You lose America!
Culture of corruption.
I guess he was saying that the rest of us don’t have to pay our taxes?????????????
I like it when ethics is a partisan consideration. We can look at the party of the accused and tell what will happen. Simple.
I remember how Jack F. Kemp was always trying to get Charlie to say something nice about Kemp, but Charles is strictly Democrat.
Let’s face it folks, the GOP didn’t want him actually removed.
1] He’s a great target of embarassment, right there, where he sits.
2] If he were to be removed, Fortney “Pete” Stark of California would assume his chairmanship. As bad as things are now, do you understand how awful it would be to have Stark in that chair?
But they are the American people’s choices. People believe in such charlatans.
Pelosi is really in a box on this one. The CBC has already informed her, in no uncertain terms, that none of its members will be subject to the law. Questioning any action of Rangel is racism. End of discussion. Politically, the longer this festers the better.
If the Dem party was a rational political entity, rather than a coalition of various grievance based factions, it would dump Rangel immediately.
Ah. So this is how you drain the swamp
True dat....The campaign ads next year will be most excellent.
Forget the thirty minute list against Rangel, can you just imagine the Santa sized list Rangel has on the Democrats that had to vote for him?
Let’s face it folks, the GOP didn’t want him actually removed.
1] He’s a great target of embarassment, right there, where he sits.
2] If he were to be removed, Fortney “Pete” Stark of California would assume his chairmanship. As bad as things are now, do you understand how awful it would be to have Stark in that chair?
At this rate, Charlie is like the guy teaching the pig to sing; 1) The committee absolves him, 2) the case gets carried on to the next Congress with more committee changes or 3) Charlie at age 79 could decide to retire before the next election.
Either one of these ways, Charlie knows that he has Obama and Pelosi at his back, so "What, him worry - Nah!"
This guy Rangel should be in the White House along with the rest of the mostly Chicago crooks presently there.
Hah! ... Well if you put it that way - I guess I'd go with the tax cheat over 'Raving' Stark from across the Bay...
Sad thing when your rulers break laws with immunity, that would get the common man fired and jailed...
“”I guess he was saying that the rest of us don’t have to pay our taxes?????????????””
Congressman Carter has suggested that everyone follow and write “RANGEL RULE” on their income tax return and withhold payment of additional taxes.
“”Congressman Carter has suggested that everyone follow and write “RANGEL RULE” on their income tax return and withhold payment of additional taxes.””
I seem to remember that Rangel didn’t pay any interest or penalties on taxes that he owed and supposedly paid and perhaps Carter’s stance is - why should anyone pay interest and penalties on past due income tax liability?
They really ARE corrupt, aren’t they?
Vote the whole lot (D & R) out. Get rid of all of ‘em.
Impossible yet stupid.
It might be impossible but it’s not stupid. The whole lot need to go.
So you’re saying it’s alright to stab your friends in the back.
These same friends who voted for the Bush bailout, and who’ve sat on their hands while everything goes to hell? Yep, that would be a big fat, “yes.”
NO! The ones who didn’t.
Well, if they didn’t, that’s fine. I think the list of those who didn’t would be mighty short, if I remember correctly.
Not only blind but stupid.
When there are important party line votes, both sides can't be given the same blame.
How about when the House GOP members stayed behind to debate domestic drilling and Pelosi turned off the lights and locked them out?
Go here:
http://www.acuratings.org/2008house.htm
... and take a look at the conservative ratings of all House members. You can certainly tell your enemies from your friends by their actions. There are plenty of organizations that rate Congressional voting records.
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