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AmSpecBlog
Charlie Rangel and Congressional Entitlement
Richard Cohen of the Washington Post argues that Rep. Charles Rangel has morphed into the man he defeated in 1970: the flamboyantly corrupt Adam Clayton Powell.
Rangel is now the chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee and a man of immense importance in Washington. Nonetheless, he has been busy of late revising and amending the record, backing and filling, using buckets of Wite-Out as he discovers or remembers properties he has owned in New York, New Jersey, Florida, the Dominican Republic and God only knows where else -- and has forgotten or neglected to fully report on the required forms, not to mention the income from them. Oops!
Rangel recently even discovered bank accounts that no one in the world, apparently including him, knew he had. One was with the Congressional Federal Credit Union; another was with Merrill Lynch -- each valued between $250,000 and $500,000. He somehow neglected to mention these accounts on his congressional disclosure forms, which means, if you can believe it, that when he signed the forms, he did not notice that maybe $1 million was missing. Someone ought to check the lighting in his office.
The dim bulb could also have accounted for why Rangel did not notice that he was soliciting contributions for the curiously named Charles B. Rangel Center for Public Service on the congressional letterhead of the very same Charles B. Rangel. It may also account for why he failed to report dividend income from various investments in addition to what he made by selling a townhouse in Harlem. The place went for $410,000 in 2004, and had been rented -- or not -- to various people, who paid rent or didn't -- since Rangel reported no income for years at a time. This is what he did, too, with the rent he earned on his Dominican Republic villa. Again, nada.
There is something wrong with Charlie Rangel. Either he did not notice that he was worth about twice as much as he said he was -- which is downright worrisome in a congressional leader -- or he thinks that he's above the law, which is downright worrisome in a congressional leader.
So much for change and openness on Capitol Hill in the new era.
Comments
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WBFRANK| 9.15.09 @ 9:16AM
Charlie Rangel has what I will call Obaminitis. This is where one high powered black man sees that he has an "elected" black man in the White-House. He therefore KNOWS that he can get away with anything. After all when BHO is criticized all his party needs to do is cry RACISM!!!
Chuck will continue to do anything he wants no matter what; why worry no body is going to do anything.
BTW this goes for "people" like Shumer, Reid, Pelosi and Barny-the-Frank and even AlGore.
They can ride the coat-tails of the Barry Obama and as you all can see they can get away with anything as well... and every now and again they can even "act black" like AlGore and even Hitlery Clinton.
Remember the 2010 and 2012 election where thinking people will put all of these creeps out of office.
Remember the Revolution started: 09/12/2009.
WBFRANK| 9.15.09 @ 9:18AM
Now Cohen: don't besmirch the good name of Adam Clayton Powell: Chuck Rangel is much worse!
Conservative Bob | 9.15.09 @ 10:53AM
The question that bothers me almost as much as the way he is and has gotten away with all of this is how does he make so much money?
He has been in congress forever. I know what congressional salaries are and I can’t figure out how someone making what a congressman makes can find $1,000,000.00 he didn’t know he had…..
Which actually begs a larger question how do any of these “public servants” amass the wealth they do while “serving’ the public.
I have worked for a number of years and am fairly well compensated; I would really like to know their investment strategies to say nothing of their tax treatment by the IRS particularly when the discover income they have “overlooked”.
Dixie Pixie| 9.15.09 @ 12:46PM
Does anyone else remembers at time where a long standing public servant caused a public scandal and was forced to resigned for accepting a cheap fur coat A hint, it happened to a republican during th Eisenhower administration.
Oldefarte| 9.15.09 @ 2:21PM
Rangel is New York's BILL JEFFERSON!!!!
MADMARV!| 9.15.09 @ 3:29PM
TO REP OF (STATE) BOTH HOUSE AND SENATE:
I WISH TO HAVE YOU PRESENT THIS AS A LETTER FROM A CONCERNED CITIZEN, FOR REFORM OF THIS GOVERNMENT TO:
BARNY FRANK AND THE REST OF THIS ADMINISTRATION!
IF, THEY THOUGHT “TEA PARTY” WAS A MOVEMENT?
WELL, THEIR TERM LIMIT, IS UP IN 2010!
SOONER IF, OF THEIR PROSECUTION AND INDICTMENT BRING CONVICTIONS FOR THIS CONGRESS AND ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS.
TIME TO SEND A CLEAR MESSAGE TO WASHINGTON!
"WHERE THEIR COLLUSION AND CONSPIRACY",
WITH THE ACORN AND THE SEIU,
UNION ORGANIZATION’S ARE CONCERNED, WITH TACIT APPROVAL OF THE OBAMA CAMPAIGN AND DEMOCRATIC PARTY? THAT IS WHAT, IS ACTIONABLE IN OVER 14 STATES NOW THAT ARE PROSECUTING THEM.
A VOTER RIGHTS AMENDMENT IS NEEDED NOT “JUST” FOR THE ABSENTEE BALLOTS OF WHICH 1/4 OF WHICH WE ARE NOW AWARE WERE NOT COUNTED.
AND NOT JUST FOR THE MILITARY! TIME TO END THE FUNDING FOR VOTER FRAUD!
SEND A BILL TO THE CONGRESS AND THE SENATE FOR VOTER REFORM NOW!
HOLD ALL THESE "SERVANTS OF THEMSELVES" ACCOUNTABLE!
MORE STATES ARE COMING TO THEIR SENSES, AND REAFFIRMING THE TENTH AMENDMENT!
REMIND PALOSIE AND OBAMA, THAT "THE AMERICAN PEOPLE", THEY DO NOT WORK FOR THE FEDERAL GOV'T!
IT IS TIME TO CALL FOR THE RESIGNATION AND IMPEACHMENT OF THESE INDIVIDUALS IN OFFICE.
“IF” THEY HAVE ANY WRONGDOING, IE: "MALFEASANCE" IN OFFICE, THEY ARE ACCOUNTABLE!
THE FEDERAL GOV'T WORKS, FOR THE STATES! AND THE PEOPLE!
AND THAT THEY, ARE ACCOUNTABLE TO THE "PEOPLE!" "NOT" THE OTHER WAY AROUND!
"WE THE PEOPLE"
NEED TO TAKE BACK THE AUTHORITY, WE DELEGATE.
THERE WILL BE AN ACCOUNTING,AND THAT DAY WILL BE ELECTIONS, IN 2010, THEN AGAIN IN 2012.
TAKE HEART AND REMEMBER, YOUR VOTE, COUNTS, NO MATER WHAT ACORN, AND SEIU TRY TO DO, THEY WILL "NOT" PREVAIL.
"WE THE PEOPLE" WILL HOLD THEM ACCOUNTABLE.
WRITE AND PROTEST, AND PICKET OUTSIDE THEIR OFFICES, IN YOUR HOME STATE, JUST LIKE THE TEA PARTIES, YOUR VOICE DOES MAKE A DIFFERANCE!
I THINK THEY HEAR U.S. LOUD AND CLEAR! ON APR 15TH, NOW GET OUT THERE AND MAKE "YOU" VOICE LOUD AND PROUD TO BE AN "AMERICAN" WITH "AMERICAN VALUES" AND KEEP YOUR INDIVIDUAL, RIGHTS AND DIGNITY INTACT!
ACT!
NOW!
LIKE YOU KNOW IN YOUR HEART, IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO!
WHAT WOULD YOU HAVE TO TELL YOUR CHILDREN, IF YOU WON'T STAND UP FOR THEM?
YOU ARE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE UN?
"HE11, NO! WE WON'T" GO!
AND WE ARE STAYING THE COURSE!
IMPEACH THEM NOW!
THEN, PROSECUTE THEM TO THE FULLEST EXTENT OF THE LAW, IN ALL FIFTY STATES!
TIME FOR “ALL” OF U.S. - TO TAKE A STAND, CONTACT YOUR CONGRESSMAN, AND STATES REPRESENTATIVE.
THEN, MAKE THE CASE FOR STATES RIGHTS AND VOTER REFORM, FOR THE SAKE OF THIS NATION!
TELL THE WANT TO CONTROL, GOV'T, "WE THE PEOPLE" HAVE CONTROL! AND IMPEACH THOSE;
WHO DO NOT FOLLOW THE LETTER AS WELL AS THE SPIRIT OF THE CONSTITUTION, AND OATH THEY SWORE TO UPHOLD!
THEN IMPEACH THOSE THAT PLAY FAST AND SHADY WITH THE "LETTER" OF THE LAW!
AND ENFORCE THE LAWS WE DO HAVE FOR ANTI-CORRUPTION, MALFEASANCE AND WRONGDOING OF OUR PUBLIC OFFICIALS!
THEN PROSECUTE THEM "ALL" IN "ALL" FIFTY STATE JURISDICTIONS!
AND, LET THEM KNOW,
THAT "WE THE PEOPLE" ARE THE GOV'T THEY SHOULD FEAR!
NOT THE LAWYERS FOR ACLU!
AND BOUNCE OBAMA AND FRANK, PALOSIE, RIED, DODD, RANGLE AND THE REST OUT ON THEIR EAR AND REAR!
2010! NEVER AGAIN!
2012! WITH RESOLVE!
OUR, PROBLEM?
SOLVED!
Dixie Pixie| 9.15.09 @ 3:30PM
Can anyone tell me when corruption by Democratic Party members became routine if not required.
MADMARV!| 9.15.09 @ 3:46PM
TAKE THIS COUNTRY BACK FROM THE POLITICIANS, AND CORRUPT CONGRESS!
WHAT DO THEY KNOW, AND WHEN DID THEY KNOW IT?
THEY HAVE THE AUDACITY TO TELL US, THEY MISREMEMBER OR MISPOKE?
WHAT A JOKE!
VOTE THE WHOLE ROTTEN APPLE BUNCH OF GORE-UPPITY CARPETBAGGERS OUT!
TAKE OUT THE REST OF THE GARBAGE, FRANK, DODD, PALOSIE , RIED, RANGLE AND BURRIS TOO! IT IS PAST THEIR TIME!
TELL THEM AMERICA IS THROUGH WITH THEIR AGENDA, AND THEIR CORRUPTION AND LIES, TO COVER-UP THEIR CULPABILITY!
GO AFTER ALL OF THEM AS VIGOROUSLY AS THE LAW ALLOWS.
THERE ARE CONSEQUENCES FOR THEIR ACTIONS.
THAT IS THE LESSON LEARNED.
REMEMBER BEFORE ALL THIS BAILOUT STARTED, THERE WAS WORLDCOM, GLOBAL CROSSING, THEN ENRON, AND WITH THAT IN MIND:
THE GE FINACIAL MANIPULTION IN THE LATE 70′S AND EARLY 80′S THAT COST GE THE LOSS OF “ALL” GOV’T CONTRACTS FOR FIVE (5) YEARS.
THE ONLY WAY THEY GOT OUT OF THEIR BIND, WAS TO BUY RCA.
THAT WAS WHEN JACK WELSH TOOK OVER FOR GE!
WHAT HAS “GE” DONE FOR YOU LATELY?
OR IS THAT TOO YOU? MSNBC?
OH THAT’S, WRIGHT, MSNBC, KIETH OBERMAN, RADICAL MADDOW, AND CATIE COURIC!
DID I LEAVE OUT MOVEON.ORG AND G. SOROS?
TIME TO WAKE UP!
AND REMEMBER THERE ARE CONSEQUESNCES FOR THEIR ACTION!
JUST LIKE MADDOF, THERE IS A PRICE TO PAY!
AND THEY WILL NOT LIKE IT!
BUT THE TAXPAYER’S ( “we the people” ) will speak loud and clear Nov, 2010! (time t speak softly, with a “BIG STICK!”)
AND STICK IT TO THEM LIKE THEY ARE TRYING TO STICK IT TO U.S. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I SAY AGAIN, 2010 NEVER AGAIN! 2012 WITH RESOLVE!
I DO BELIEVE “ALL” NOT PARTISAN HERE, MEMBERS OF THIS CONGRESS, AND SENATE,THEY DO NOT OWN THEIR SEAT, THERE IS NO ENTITLEMENT FOR THEIR FAMILY!
(UNLESS YOU ARE A KENNEDY OR A CLINTON?)
FOR THE SEAT IS OWNED BY THE POPLE!
CAN YOU DIFFERENCIATE BETWEEN A STATESMAN AND A POLITICIAN?
YOU SHOULD GOOGLE THE “Bilderbergers Club”.§
THEN GET THE NAMES OF THE PARTICIPANTS, AND FIND THEIR CONGRESSIONAL SEAT, OFFICE AND DISTRICT!
PETITION AND PICKET OUTSIDE, WITH THE FACTS, DATES AND AGENDA THEY ARE FOISTING ON THE U.S.
“I DO BELIEVE THAT MEANS YOU TOO!”
FOR THE SUPREAM COURT NOMINATION, THEY ARE ALL READY TO PUT IN THEIR BERKLEY.ESQ PRO LEFT, PRO ABORTION, PRO GAY RIGHTS, AND ANTI CHRISTIAN-HATE SPEECH AGENDA, SO-TOO-MY-OR?.
DON’T BE SURPRISED WHEN, GINSBURG, APTLY NAMED, IF YOU REMEMBER THE GRENICH VILLAGE, PRO GAY AGENDA FROM THE 60’S?
ALSO WILL TENDER HER RESIGNATION SO THE OBAM ADMIN WILL GET A TWO FOR APPOINTMENT!
THERE ARE CONSEQUENCES FOR THEIR ACTIONS.
AND FOR THIS ADMINISTRATION TOO!
NOT JUST THE BUSH ADMINISTRATION!§
WHEN YOU CAN DIFFERNCIATE NO DIFFERENCE: EXCEPT/"ASOCIALIST "AGENDA,
OR A PRO-CONSTITUTION, PRO BILL OF RIGHTS, STATES RIGHTS DIFFERANCE.
THEN YOU MIGHT, I SAY MIGHT WANT TO CHANGE YOUR OPINION OF THIS ADMINISTRATION.
BUT, "IF" YOU STILL HOPE FOR MOVEON.ORG, AND GEORGE SOROS TO COME IN ON HIS PALE HORSE AND SAVE YOUR ASS, YOUR HOUSE AND YOUR WELFARE CHECK?
YOU ARE SOROS, MISTS-TAKEN!
2010! NEVER AGAIN!
TIME TO TAKE OUR COUNTRY BACK, NOT HAND IT OVER TO THE U.N.
WE DO HAVE MORE PROBLEMS TO SOLVE, WITH THIS ADMINISTRATION!
AND WITH THE TALIBAN, AND THEIR AGENDA, VS FREEDOM AND OF THEM, GETTING THEIR HANDS AND AGENDA IN CONTROL OF PAKISTAN!
DO YOU REALLY BELIEVE MR. OBAMA HAS MADE YOU SAFE IN YOUR BED TONIGHT?
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