Representative Charlie Rangel, chairman of the powerful House Ways and Means Committee, reminds us this week us that there are “no angels in government.”  The New York Post reports that “Rangel filed drastically revised financial-disclosure forms reflecting new, higher amounts of outside income and numerous additional business deals…”  One year ago (September 2008), we learned that Rangel did not pay taxes on 20 years of rental income that he received for his villa in the Dominican Republic.   But the amended forms, submitted this week, show that Rangel failed to pay taxes on a total of at least $3 million in income.

The Ways and Means committee is responsible for writing tax law, and Rangel’s tax revelations prove one of two things.  Either the current tax code–as written by Rangel and his committee–is too complicated for even him to understand, or he simply refuses to pay his taxes.  Either way, he is a criminal.  But this doesn’t stop him from raising taxes on others.  Just last month, Rangel brokered a deal with House democratic leaders that will raise $540 billion by increasing taxes on families who earn $350,000 a year or more.   According to the deal, this revenue would be used to fund Obama’s healthcare reform agenda.  Of course, Rangel may forget to pay his portion of this new tax.  See the following articles.

• Michelle Malkin, “Culture of corruption: Rangel edition,” Michelle Malkin.com (August 28, 2009)
• Charles Hurt, “Oops!  Charlie forgot this $1 million House,” New York Post (August 28, 2009)
• John Bresnahan, “Charlie Rangel spends $1M on legal bills,” Politico (August 4, 2009)
• Michael McAuliff, “Rep. Charlie Rangel wants to tax the rich to fund health bill,” Daily News (July 11, 2009)