Congressman Charlie Rangel (D-NY) remains in trouble. But will anything come of it?
Mr. Rangel is Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, and is a powerful force among Democrats in Washington. However, his tax abuses are legion and, according to the New York Post, getting longer. Sure, there’s a House Ethics Committee investigation, but neither the Post nor I think anything will come of it (except a slap on the wrist).
Democrats campaigned quite successfully in 2006 and 2008 on charges of Republican corruption. It’s almost certain that the shoe will be on the other foot in 2010 (and probably 2012) unless something is done. In this case, having a tax cheat in charge of the committee that writes tax legislation will give the GOP plenty of self-written advertisements next year. Democrats would be wise to have Mr. Rangel step down as Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee. It doesn’t appear likely to happen.