Tax Tips from Charlie Rangel

Damon W. Root | March 25, 2010

And no, the tips don't include “cheat on ‘em.” The New York Daily News reports that constituents living in the district of Democratic Congressman Charlie Rangel were a little surprised to receive a mailing with tax advice from the notorious tax cheat:

"Hopefully, the information in this guide can help put money back into your pockets," Rangel says in the glossy, full-color mailbox-stuffer.

Or take it from their pockets.

"This mailing was prepared, published and mailed at taxpayer expense," it says....

Residents of his district, which covers Harlem and part of the upper West Side, know chutzpah when they see it.

"Well, I think if anyone is going to tell you how to pay - or not pay - taxes, he's your guy," chuckled retiree Ed Hanft, 85. "It's too much of a reminder to his constituents as to what he did. He shouldn't talk about taxes at all."

Reno Brown, 89, agreed. "I'd never take tax advice from that guy," Brown told the Daily News.
"It's probably not the best time to put something like that out," observed Keisha Jones, 40.

Read the whole story here.

Reason needs your support. Please donate today!

Try Reason's award-winning print edition today! Your first issue is FREE if you are not completely satisfied.

|3.25.10 @ 4:14PM|#

A spokesman said Rangel "has sent his tax newsletter to constituents for many years in order to assist them in filing their tax returns and ensuring that those who are eligible take advantage of important benefits, including the Earned Income Tax Credit."

I'm gonna guess it prominently features pictures of Rangel, plus other tidbits that skate right up to the ethical edge -- in short, it's almost certainly a thinly disguised campaign brochure paid for by the taxpayers.

|3.25.10 @ 4:18PM|#

Which the McCain-Feingold Incumbent Protection Act did not a goddda thing about. Nor did it address your senator gettting his or her name on the front page of the local rag 15 to 50 times a year for six years while the challenger gets a banner headline only the last few weeks before the election.

Sorry for the off-topic rant.

sage|3.25.10 @ 2:08PM|#

Caption Contest!

"Hey! Does this bow tie make me look like a criminal?"

Real Members of Congress|3.25.10 @ 7:45PM|#

Today, we salute you, Mister Tax-Law-Writing Tax-Evader!

Almanian|3.25.10 @ 2:10PM|#

"Hey, you know Mrs. Rangel drowned all the dumb babies."

Marc|3.25.10 @ 2:10PM|#

And yet he'll be re-elected.

Brett L|3.25.10 @ 2:15PM|#

"All the doors in my illegally rent-controlled office have to be at least this wide to get my ego through them."

The Gobbler|3.25.10 @ 2:18PM|#

"See? Even a podium this big can't entirely obscure my balls."

Almanian|3.25.10 @ 2:20PM|#

"Touch me, and I'll sue...."

Announcer|3.25.10 @ 2:27PM|#

Almanian gets out to an early lead.

|3.25.10 @ 3:57PM|#

I was thinking a good Clay Davis; "sheeeeiittt"

Almanian|3.25.10 @ 2:21PM|#

"No alt text? NO ALT TEXT? Is that how it's gonna be? And me a veteran AND a black man. Racists..."

Ska|3.25.10 @ 2:23PM|#

Is this the part where he starts singing Minnie the Moocher?

|3.25.10 @ 2:27PM|#

Rangel IS Minnie the Moocher -- and not in the GOOD way.

NeonCat|3.25.10 @ 2:43PM|#

How dare you slur the good name of Minnie that way!

Xeones|3.25.10 @ 2:44PM|#

In these times, i will take my joys where i can get them. This is one of those joys.

|3.25.10 @ 2:44PM|#

"Hey, don't look at ME...the OTHER black guy is in charge here"

sage|3.25.10 @ 2:55PM|#

LULZ

ChrisO|3.25.10 @ 2:44PM|#

I wonder how many of Good Time Charlie's constituents actually pay federal income tax? Some of the Yupper West Siders, I guess...

ed|3.25.10 @ 3:50PM|#

Jesus, what a clown. Who says minstrel shows are dead?

Jeff P|3.25.10 @ 3:58PM|#

That pictures triggered the Fat Albert theme in my head.

WTF|3.25.10 @ 5:16PM|#

"Na, na, na, gonna have a good time! Hey hey hey!!"

|3.25.10 @ 4:28PM|#

Nah, I think it's pretty on-topic.

Reason.com