Taxes Are What Other People Pay
Charles Rangel called a new income tax surcharge of 5.4 percent that he's leading the charge for "the moral thing to do." Regarding his own tax liability, notes the WSJ, he seems, "well, less fervent":
Exhibit A concerns a rental property Mr. Rangel purchased in 1987 at the Punta Cana Yacht Club in the Dominican Republic. The rental income from that property ought to be substantial since it is a luxury beach-front villa and is more often than not rented out. But when the National Legal and Policy Center looked at Mr. Rangel's House financial disclosure forms in August, it noted that his reported income looked suspiciously low. In 2004 and 2005, he reported no more than $5,000, and in 2006 and 2007 no income at all from the property.The Congressman initially denied there was any unreported income. But reporters quickly showed that the villa is among the most desirable at Punta Cana and that it rents for $500 a night in the low season, and as much as $1,100 a night in peak season. Last year it was fully booked between December 15 and April 15.
...Besides not paying those pesky taxes, Mr. Rangel had other reasons for wanting to hide income. As the tenant of four rent-stabilized apartments in Harlem, the Congressman needed to keep his annual reported income below $175,000, lest he be ineligible as a hardship case for rent control. (He also used one of the apartments as an office in violation of rent-control rules, but that's another story.)
Mr. Rangel said last fall that "I never had any idea that I got any income'' from the villa. Try using that one the next time the IRS comes after you. Equally interesting is his claim that he didn't know that the developer of the Dominican Republic villa had converted his $52,000 mortgage to an interest-free loan in 1990. That would seem to violate House rules on gifts, which say Members may only accept loans on "terms that are generally available to the public." Try getting an interest-free loan from your banker.
Piles more evidence at the Journal link that Rangel thinks ethics, like taxes, are for other people.
This is just another example of the greed on both sides of the aisle. The high and mighty congress critters are always finding a way to evade taxes. Do a google for "[party] tax evasion" and you will get lists back.
They are all about equally crooked. Just how they frame the response.
If a regular person does the same thing they are put under the jail by the IRS. There are days I think that they should be arrested, jailed, and impeached. Start over with all new people that have never held political office.
Jim P. at July 27, 2009 6:51 AM
"I never had any idea that I got any income."
That is a pretty ridiculous thing to say. Is he insinuating some sort of conspiracy on behalf of his house staff or property agent? Maybe it was just his accountant keeping secrets?
Jim, I once said, that if I, with a single vote, could replace every politician with a completely random person off the street, I would do it. Sure you might cut out a few good ones, but I imagine the ratio of good person to slimy person would dramatically improve toward the better, if only because the average person on the street doesn’t have the street smarts to be as crooked as your average politician. When I was a kid I wanted to go into politics. When I changed my mind my 6th grade teacher asked me why. “I’m not very good at lying,” I said, being completely serious.
Stacy at July 27, 2009 7:16 AM
Stacy, the explanation is that Rangel, as is true of most everyone in Congress, has so little fear of prosecution that he simply can't be bothered to devise a plausible excuse. He knows good and darn well that the IRS isn't going to touch him no matter what. He also knows that his district is a political machine and that the reports will have no effect on his re-election chances. He is a power unto himself, answerable to no one.
Cousin Dave at July 27, 2009 7:21 AM
Jim, I once said, that if I, with a single vote, could replace every politician with a completely random person off the street, I would do it.
No kidding. How about this -- applying to run for political office is an automatic disqualification. ;-)
They have actually shown about the same thing with juries. There was one several years ago that basically no one showed up for the jury summons. The judge sent the bailiff/deputy down the street to the local Wal-mart and "shanghaied" the next 12 people and seated them. He also had them do several cases. The jury came up with decent results as far as the judge was concerned, compared when the jury pool was strained through voir dire.
Jim P. at July 27, 2009 8:57 AM
"Stacy, the explanation is that Rangel, as is true of most everyone in Congress, has so little fear of prosecution that he simply can't be bothered to devise a plausible excuse. He knows good and darn well that the IRS isn't going to touch him no matter what. He also knows that his district is a political machine and that the reports will have no effect on his re-election chances. He is a power unto himself, answerable to no one."
Well, Cousin Dave, let's take this a step further. You're right in your assessment, but the next question is 'Who cares?' Your average boobus americanus certainly doesn't. At least half of them pay no income taxes themselves, and of those who do, most don't even know who Charlie Rangel is.
Pirate Jo at July 27, 2009 9:07 AM
Jo, I wish I knew the answer to that. I prefer not to think that the majority of the American public is stupid. I think they're dis-motivated or wrongly motivated, but I'll admit that it amounts to the same thing from a practical standpoint: stuff like this doesn't change. I'll admit that I do find it a bit strange that Chris Dodd, who has had his own adventures with unreported income, is now in hot water in his district. But apparently the only thing that would threaten Rangel's status in his district would be if it came out that he killed Michael Jackson. Draw your own conclusions on that.
As for you're last statement: As days go by, I find myself more drawn to the Heinlien principle that only people who pay taxes should receive the right to vote.
Cousin Dave at July 27, 2009 11:39 AM
Don't get me wrong, I think he's horrible.... but isn't this last year's news?
NicoleK at July 27, 2009 11:49 AM
Silly people. He didn't rent out his island villa as profit-maker, but as a community service to poor, homeless vacationers. How dare you question the motives of this selfless public servant.
Conan the Grammarian at July 27, 2009 2:27 PM
"I prefer not to think that the majority of the American public is stupid."
Oy. I know what you mean. It makes me happy when I read statistics showing how much literacy has improved over the last however-many years. Then I find out how few people even read a single book each year. What good does all that literacy do, if no one chooses to read?
First, I try to take solace in the fact that Americans are getting the government they deserve. Second, that depresses me even more.
What do you do? Just stop caring yourself?
Pirate Jo at July 27, 2009 4:46 PM
Jo - I'm beginning to get to that point. I think it's the only way to stay sane.
brian at July 27, 2009 6:08 PM
sanity is a subjective term.
I think everyone should have a complete metal breakdown at some point in their life, It shows you whats realy important
lujlp at July 27, 2009 6:50 PM
"everyone should have a complete metal breakdown"
I like this one!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BNGlrRrjlHw
Gog_Magog_Carpet_Reclaimers at July 27, 2009 8:12 PM
Thanks Gog. Always up for some good Priest.
Rangel is a poster child in support of term limits. Funny how we scream for punishment of thieves, except when they are in congress.
E. Steven Berkimer at July 28, 2009 10:11 AM
Leave a comment