Despite Charlie Rangel's Tax Problems, He Might Help Republicans Keep Bush's Tax Cuts

Rangel's Korean War Service

I'm glad to see you highlight Congressmen Range's Korean War service - he was in the thick of it and he deserves respect for that. But he really went off the reservation with his support for a renewed draft - that's not a solution to the problem. His tax problems are really a terrible example to set. Congress is out of touch with the American people and he personifies that. I guess only the little people have to keep their taxes in order.

Rangel should resign, and should probably be in jail

Rangel should be treated just like any other taxpayer. He should certainly resign from Congress, should certainly pay all the back taxes due, and should probably be in jail. Public representatives should - if anything - be held to a higher standard.

Chris Dodd should also resign and should probably be in jail for taking bribes (Countrywide sweetheart loan deal). Barney Frank for funneling tens of billions to his boyfriend's company. "Dollar Bill" Jefferson for public corruption. All Democrats, all corrupt.

How about a series of columns on these and other corrupt Democrats.

Small Cheating and Million Dollar bribes

Since he a liberal and his cheating was only for small amounts over a long period and he only took one Million dollar bribe cut him slack? He will make the railroads run or something so his petty thefts must be forgiven.

Rangel Is A Corrupt Democrat Party Leader - Be Gone With Him

Rangel deserves no "slack." He is corrupt to the core and venal to boot. We do not need politicians of the ilk of Rangel, Mutha and Stevens, despite their likability as political hacks. Whether he would help pass preferred tax policies is irrelevant. Corrupt politicians belong in jail, or at least out-of-office and out-of-power.

BTW, for a politician who publicly referred to Palin as "disabled," he deserves no "slack," nor consideration about his corrupt transgressions from his moral and ethical betters -- the citizens.

Rangel has been in DC too long

Rangel has been in congress for about four decades. I've lived in his district and received his franked letters to constituents telling us all the goodies he got form taxpayer coffers. He may be charming in person, but politically he is a cynical opportunist.

It's nice that Mr. Barone recognizes Rangel's service from half a century ago. I wonder if he made the same protestations when decorated veteran Duke Cunningham was in ethical trouble a few years back?

Rangel cut slack

If one really wants to cut Rangle slack for being a freind of Barone and past good deeds we need to make it legal. Lets pass a law that states that Democratic members of Congress are exempt from the law for any reasons that one can dredge up.

Corruption isn't acceptable

So corruption and lawbreaking are acceptable if you agree with a politician's stance on the issues? I would hope that most people would be more principled. At any rate, a system of ferreting out corruption based on such practical/ideological/partisan concerns, is itself corrupt.

Broken window theory event

Disorder spreads when small crimes go unpunished.

Rangel & the Draft

Rangel only advocated a draft to wip up anti-war sentiment with the intent to drive a stake into the Republicans. Typical liberal; power first, country last.

Another One of the Hounds

I might be inclined to give Rangel a pass on the tax fraud charges in light of his past military service. But the corruption charges are harder to dismiss; was he calling for moderation when the Abramoff scandals hit (mostly) Republicans?

Best of all Rangel ADVOCATES A MILITARY DRAFT. This is a bad idea, and anyone in the military as well as most other people know it. Sacking a draft advocate with an actual record of corruption and tax fraud sounds like a good idea to me. What 'bums' can we 'throw out' if not Rangel?