What if the nation’s most powerful African American politician had to step down from his high government post simply because of slovenly behavior?

African American political icon, 76-year-old Charles Bernard Rangel is in hot water regarding his Chairmanship of the U.S. House of Representatives’ Committee of Ways and Means. Harlem’s Congressman heads the 110th Congress’ chief tax-writing committee. The U.S. Constitution requires that all bills regarding taxation originate in the House of Representatives, and House procedure is that all bills regarding taxation must go through Rangel’s committee. The 19-term Congressman is accused of slovenliness regarding his person financial and tax filings and real estate deals and under pressure to vacate his high position.

“Charlie” Rangel was born in New York City on June 11, 1930 and has been a Democratic member of Congress representing New York’s 15th Congressional District since 1971. Even though his district is the smallest in the country in geographic size, Harlem’s Congressman is one of Congress’ most senior and legendary Members. He became chairman of the powerful House Ways and Means Committee in January 2007 and is the first African-American to chair the committee.

The emperor has no clothes. Rangel was an original founder of the Congressional Black Caucus, but instead of gaining standing as a paragon of African Americans’ political empowerment, his political chicanery has been more of an embarrassment. The man who heads the nation’s tax policies admits to a string of errors on his federal tax returns and congressional discourse forms that possibly go back 20 years. Rangel is being forced to re-do his state and local returns and has hired forensic accounting experts to “conduct a thorough, independent review” of his statements for the last 20 years.

The author of “And I Haven’t Had a Bad Since: From the Streets of Harlem to the Halls of Congress,” may have to give up his chairmanship due to “bad days” of ineptitude the House Ethics Committee may dredge up examining Rangel’s records. His transgressions include failure to report ownership of a Florida condo, and assessing the value of his Caribbean rental home at $250,000 one year and $40,000 another – and not reporting it at all in a third tax year. More galling is his four rent-stabilized apartments in Harlem and apparent failure to report income from the sale of a home he owned in the District of Columbia. In the face of Harlem residents seeking affordable housing, Rangel rents four apartments in the Lenox Towers, three of which he uses as a residence and the other as a campaign office. Because the units are rent-stabilized, Rangel’s monthly payments are well below market rates.

But, if you thought Rangel was irresponsible regarding his accounting practices, the antic that has Washington bureaucrats hopping mad involves his “vintage” Mercedes Benz. Reminiscent of rube neighbors that leave junk cars on blocks in front yards, Rangel used a House of Representatives parking garage for years as a free storage space for his old Benz – in direct violation of congressional rules. The 1972 silver sedan was parked in a coveted section of an indoor lot near elevators that led to his office. Before it was towed, the car sat covered with a protective tarp and no license plates. Records show Rangel’s registration on the vehicle expired in 2004.

In spite of his missteps, since his chairmanship Rangel has been one of the Democrats’ top fundraisers. Due to his position, Rangel is flooded with contributions from lobbyists and political action committees. Rangel regularly raises millions for the party, but says that corporate entities seeking his attention should “support policies that help mostly African-American and Hispanic constituencies” in inner-cities.

That’s big talk on his part, but the question of the moment is: “Should someone that ethically obtuse continue to sit as chairman of Ways and Means?” Should blacks blindly support Rangel to hold his chairmanship, or hold him to a high standard of performance? Friendly fellow that he is, Rangel’s antics, whether simply through slovenliness, neglect, or both, should be brought to an end.

By William Reed, September 21, 2208

(William Reed – www.BlackPressInternational.com)