Government

Hannity and Charlie Rangel Argue Over Taxes and Show Invites in Fox Interview

Charlie Rangel Talks Taxes and the Obama Economy with Sean Hannity on Fox News

Congressman Charlie Rangel of New York is one of the longest-serving members of the House of Representatives, having been in office since 1971.  After years of confronting his own personal scandals– which, ironically, included tax evasion– Rangel took to Sean Hannity’s show this week to discuss national controversies, like the debt and taxes.

But before the two got to the meat of the issue, they bickered at length over who had been avoiding whom.

“You have been dodging me because you were afraid I was going to beat you up on all the scandals you have been involved in. Why have you not been on the show?” Hannity asked.

“The record is clear, I haven’t been invited….One of the first questions I was about to ask to you thinking I was going to throw you off guard is, why haven’t you invited me, because I thought that there were a lot of things going on and changes here,” Rangel responded.

“You are absolutely false. You were invited…”

Eventually, however, the pair got to the heart of the issues.

“All right. Here’s the question,” Hannity began, “do you really in your heart of hearts believe we are better off as a country with $5 trillion in new debt, 15 million more Americans on food stamps, more Americans depending on the government than ever before and this article that I pulled up earlier, which is that 40 percent of people’s wealth, the American families’ wealth has evaporated in the last three years? Are we better off?”

Rangel conceded: “…It is bad. It is not what we used to. We shouldn’t be there.  And the solution to all of this is just like in the family or a company. If you are spending too much, you cut back in spending and you raise your revenues. And that’s it.”

As the politically-savvy know, “raising revenues” often means “raising taxes” to those on the left, and Hannity endeavored at length to get a straight answer.

Watch the interaction, below (start around 1:22 to skip the introduction, where the two tussle over who had been avoiding whom):

“I live in the great state of New York. And when I add my state taxes, my local taxes, my federal taxes, my county taxes, my property taxes and all the other hidden taxes, I pay 55 percent of what I make goes to the government. Am I over-taxed?” Hannity asked.  “And then the President hits me and other people over the head and says, we are not paying our fair share. I think keeping 45 cents of every dollar, I think I am giving away too much to the government. Do you want more? How much do you want?”

When Rangel fell back on the party line of “inheriting” a crisis, managing an uncooperative Congress, and tax loopholes, Hannity fired: “Wait a minute…President Obama got everything he wanted. He had Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, majority in the House and Senate, he got his budget, his stimulus, his health care bill, everything he wanted in place. Here’s what he said he would do, he said he would cut the deficit in half by the end of its four years in office. He has given us by far — $5 trillion in debt. He called Bush unpatriotic for $4 trillion in eight years. He never got rid of earmarks, never read line by line, never got rid of lobbyists.”

“Has he failed the American people by not keeping those promises?”

Comments (52)

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  • Blazebanned
    Posted on June 13, 2012 at 4:57pm

    Im wondering, is ole charlie there a black hispanic? Seeing how rangel is pronounced ran gel down here, a mexican name……

    Report Post »  
    • ghostsouls
      Posted on June 13, 2012 at 5:34pm

      @BLAZEBANNED You asked about Rangel’s ethnicity: “Rangel was born in Harlem in New York City. His father, Ralph Rangel, was from Puerto Rico and came to New York in 1914, while his African American mother, Blanche Mary Wharton Rangel, was from Virginia”

      Report Post » ghostsouls  
  • Hawker
    Posted on June 13, 2012 at 4:25pm

    Rangel represents a bunch of tree monkeys and he gives them free bannans and cell phones and housing ,food stamps, unearned income tax refunds plus what ever amount they may have paid in. Some upwards of thousands of dollars due to their claiming 20 dependents and no one is going to go to the housing projects and try and count them. Like trying to count a tree full of monkeys jumping and screaming . With the fatherless kids being counted as their own by twenty different hoes. The absent a holes that fathered them hanging out selling drugs . I am sick of it ,sick and tired of it and a lot of others I know are also. If something is not done there will come a time when the — will hit the fan and I don’t plan on being on the losing side and many of my friends feel the same way.

    Report Post » Hawker  
    • jhaydeng
      Posted on June 13, 2012 at 6:13pm

      You don’t need the stupid name calling! This is how the Libs and Dems taught the lower class! They don’t know any different! Rangel just kept telling them he’ll take care of it! Wake up! The adults are lost, but the kids can be taught!

      Report Post »  
    • disobedient
      Posted on June 14, 2012 at 12:12am

      You must work for a group funded by either George Soros or SEIU. You sound like someone who overstates your idea of what you think is in someone else’s mind. Liberals are quick to tell others what they think, as if they can read minds. Inadvertently, libs admit the hate in their own hearts.

      Report Post »  
  • Collateral Damage
    Posted on June 13, 2012 at 3:44pm

    The people in Charlie J@ck@ss’s district must be either crooked as hell (like Charlie J@ck@ss), or perhaps some of the really, REALLY STUPID people I keep mentioning.

    Report Post »  
    • turkey13
      Posted on June 13, 2012 at 4:18pm

      Hey folks lay off, the economy is working fine. Everytime you buy a new Apple I-Phone, I-Pad a worker in China gets paid. When you buy a new Porsch a person in Germany gets paid. When you buy a new pair of Niki shoes a 10 or 11 year old kid in Malisaia, gets $.18 for that pair and some kids in a 12 hr. shift turn out 13 pairs. Everyone knows Charlie is an old man and he just forgot about those condos in Porta-rico and all those taxes for the last 7 years.

      Report Post »  
    • chrisst41
      Posted on June 13, 2012 at 4:22pm

      I don’t know if this is a true story, or just a joke….but I heard it was Rangel who got people to say “Dial 9-1-1″ instead of 9-11 because his constituents told him “There is no ‘11’ on the phone pad.”

      Report Post » chrisst41  
  • Budrow
    Posted on June 13, 2012 at 3:24pm

    “Increasing revenues” doesn’t necessarily mean “raising taxes”.
    Lowering taxes and thereby increasing participation in capitalism thereby reducing unemployment will in fact increase revenues. It’s been said time and time again and it has been proven repeatedly historically. Stop stifling business (large and small) and revenues will improve. Stop spending needlessly and revenues will improve. The 15 or 16 trillion dollar deficit could be rendered almost meaningless if the country was allowed to once again prosper. Re-electing Obama (our mama) certainly isn’t the answer, that too has been proven.

    Rangel is simply a dirt-bag, trouble is…he isn’t the only one. All he will be remembered for is the way he wrangled his way out of jail.

    Report Post »  
  • Max80919
    Posted on June 13, 2012 at 3:20pm

    Rangel – the ultimate corrupt career politician only in it for himself. His district is just of bunch of useful village idiots.

    Report Post » Max80919  
  • buyundbuy
    Posted on June 13, 2012 at 3:04pm

    I like to watch Sean Hannity when he has the conservative guests on but whenever he has the liberal democrats on for the sake of being called “fair and balanced” in coverage I seem to have trouble understanding their English as it takes me a long time to understand what they’re talking about.

    I now understand that the democrats have a “talking point” they wish to deliver and that is what they will say no matter what the question is and if pressed for a more relevant reply, they will simply filibuster with the same talking points and wear the clock down.

    Rangel~? Barney~? Pelosi~? Obama~? Reid~? Sharpton~? Holder~? Jones~? All the same.

    Report Post » buyundbuy  
  • dst1964
    Posted on June 13, 2012 at 2:47pm

    Charlie Rangel makes my stomach ache too. He’s such a weasel and never answers questions, especially any from Hannity or any other conservative. Does anyone know if he ever gave up any of his 4 rent controlled apartments that he was getting illegally in The Bronx and does he continue to park his car(s) in the House Parking Garage indefinitely? The guys does whatever the heck he wants, rules, costs, hypocrisy be damned! The ONLY good thing that happened as a result of him being Censured was that he’s not been on TV with his loud mouth nearly as much as he used to be on TV. I’m glad for that, but if you do a Google Search, you don’t even get that as a headline whatsoever. Google is so left leaning that they play political favoritism for Dems all the time. We need more people to complain to all about these issues in order for the public in general to start seeing the way the LSM controls the narrative every day. I‘m over seeing the likes of NBC not printing even ONE story until last night about The Fast and The Furious scam that Obama’s Administration has been mired in for more than 2 years now and they only dedicated 30 seconds to it plus they distorted the story to boot! The rest of the networks haven‘t covered it either and none would do so if there weren’t a threat of Contempt of Congress Charges pending against Holder. Don‘t tell me that Obama isn’t getting good press even in his rough times recently. There is such as thing as No News is Better than Ba

    Report Post »  
  • Sambo928
    Posted on June 13, 2012 at 2:46pm

    I love how the liberals‘ idea of saving the taxpayers’ money is to spend almost all of and then forcibly take whats left away through taxes. Tax hikes only work for funding a war with popular support and never for fixing a problem that your not willing to actually fix.

    Report Post »  
  • huey6367
    Posted on June 13, 2012 at 1:56pm

    This was misposted before so here I go again.
    ———————————-
    For those who think Rangel (or any other member of Congress) should be in jail, read Article 1, Section 6 of the US Constitution. It says:

    “They shall in all Cases, except Treason, Felony and Breach of the Peace, be privileged from Arrest during their Attendance at the Session of their respective Houses…”

    What is “Breach of the Peace” exactly?

    Now do you understand why they get away with what they get away with?

    Report Post »  
  • BloodSweatandTears
    Posted on June 13, 2012 at 1:54pm

    With 55 % ordinary taxes, close the tax holes? The left gives the brave business owner no reason to be in business anymore. ——– Here’s my fiscal solution. Give every man, women and child- 2 billion dollars of the $700 billion dollar bail out, and they can take care of themselves, including all services provided by the goverment, even to a small army.

    Report Post »  
    • Point65
      Posted on June 15, 2012 at 11:47am

      The math doesn’t appear to work out here, unless there’s only 1400 men, women and children. Or do you mean every man, woman and child gets to SHARE only 2 of the 700 billion bucks? If that’s the case, how much do you think each would get? I sure hope it’s enough, but it doesn’t appear to be the case. I’m thinking way less than $500 each. How are they supposed to make that work beyond a day, a week?

      Report Post »  
  • jackact
    Posted on June 13, 2012 at 1:27pm

    If Rangel gets re-elected in NY you might as well leave the state.
    This will be the sign that it‘s all over and NY is now ’for the birds’.

    Report Post »  
    • AngryJim
      Posted on June 13, 2012 at 3:32pm

      Given the demographics of his district; better start leaving now cuz he’s in…

      Report Post »  
  • BeingThere
    Posted on June 13, 2012 at 1:00pm

    Why would Hannity have this criminal POS on his show? And why doesn’t Hannity ever mention Glenn Beck??? Why didn’t Hannity support “Restoring Courage” and “Restoring Honor?” What’s your problem Hannity???

    Report Post » BeingThere  
    • Hawker
      Posted on June 13, 2012 at 4:29pm

      I feel the same way about Hannity very little to like about Him.

      Report Post » Hawker  
    • BeingThere
      Posted on June 13, 2012 at 9:00pm

      I didn‘t say I don’t like him, I do, and I appreciate what he does. I just have a few questions :-)

      Report Post » BeingThere  
  • shammo
    Posted on June 13, 2012 at 12:58pm

    Charlie Rangel should be in jail for tax evasion and corruption. However as a black democrat he is protected. The thing that really should bother people is his feeling of entitlement to confiscate our money. Once you pay 50% in taxes you are a slave.

    Report Post »  
    • Jim in Houston
      Posted on June 13, 2012 at 1:26pm

      Oh, but it‘s racist to say old Cheatin’ Charlie is protected because he is BLACK. That old race card is completely worn out. Put the b@stard in jail where he belongs instead of continuing to corrupt congress.

      Report Post »  
    • drbage
      Posted on June 13, 2012 at 1:29pm

      Not only confiscate the money, but use it and abuse it. At least he has faced the “jury” of his peers, unlike many of his cohorts in crime in Congress.

      Report Post »  
    • huey6367
      Posted on June 13, 2012 at 1:45pm

      For those who think Rangel (or any other memeber of Congress) should be in jail, read Article 1, Section 6 of the US Constitution. It says:

      “They shall in all Cases, except Treason, Felony and Breach of the Peace, be privileged from Arrest during their Attendance at the Session of their respective Houses…”

      What is “Breach of the Peace” exactly?

      Now do you understand why they get away with what they get away with?

      Report Post »  
  • RightThinking1
    Posted on June 13, 2012 at 12:53pm

    I would have had to caption this as:
    “Hannity and Charlie Rangel wrangle….”

    Report Post »  
  • Scott Archer
    Posted on June 13, 2012 at 12:52pm

    For once I would like to see anyone (media, politician, economist, etc.) frame the debate of “cut spending and raise revenue’, as it should be. The two terms are mutually exclusive and should not be boxed together as a set.
    In my household, when money and resouses are tight, my only option is to cut spending. I don’t have the luxury of passing a bill to raise revenue or to hold my employer hostage for a raise. Neither should the government. Just cut the damn spending and the additional revenue to pay debt is there!
    I know this is an elementary subject but the majority of the people running this country haven’t made it past the kindergarten stage.

    Report Post »  
    • ReaganBaby
      Posted on June 13, 2012 at 1:09pm

      Well said Scott- I cant take this any longer and i think finally more people are starting to see it as it is. The only way to to reduce debt is STOP SPENDING!! I don’t know why the damn politicians do not understand this simple concept.

      Report Post » ReaganBaby  
    • Scott Archer
      Posted on June 13, 2012 at 1:35pm

      They know it but haven’t gotten past the ego part of it. You know, the kindergarten stage,”Me, me , me! Hey, look at me! That’s mine! Look at what I did! They’re a bunch of ego driven, self seeking, attention hungry fools who can’t control their addiction … their own self.

      Report Post »  
    • fuzzy20841
      Posted on June 13, 2012 at 1:37pm

      I agree. In business, if expenses are higher than income you must to cut expenses or go bankrupt.
      In a free market driven economy you can’t simply raise prices, This Government has been bloated, over paid and ineptly staffed. It produces no profit, in fact it can’t even break even. Government work force needs to be cut based on productivity numbers not seniority or union rules. Take away most of the Federal credit cards. Get rid of the bureaucrats that administer the welfare state. Here in Maryland lots of folks have free “Obama” phones with 200 – 300 minutes of minutes per month (for emergencies)? The TV goes off when Rangle shows up!

      Report Post »  
  • Fitzzz
    Posted on June 13, 2012 at 12:43pm

    Charlie is a weasel, a crook and should be serving time in prison, but instead, he is in Congress
    This can only happen when the voters put him there, and the voters are black, they don’t care one iota about honesty, about justice,only about being black
    This is a DISGRACE

    Report Post »  
  • Arc
    Posted on June 13, 2012 at 12:41pm

    Rangel has no excuse for the plight of the President and his predicament. The only excuse( read reason ) for being behind the 8-ball is the HANDLERS who attempt to guide the President, failed to guage the public’s sentiment regarding what has happened in 31/2 years. If we are to believe that Obama has so much power that he can by-pass congress and the American people for his PERSONAL ideology, we have allowed our government, of the people, by the people and for the people to reach TYRANNICAL proportions.

    “If the CITIZENS fear the Government, there is tyranny
    If the GOVERNMENT fears the citizens, there is liberty”
    Jefferson.

    Report Post » Arc  
  • NOBALONEY
    Posted on June 13, 2012 at 12:35pm

    Don’t mess with the Protected Elite Protected Class. Hannity’s invites next week will be Jon Corzine, Chris Dodd.

    Report Post » NOBALONEY  
  • toledofan
    Posted on June 13, 2012 at 12:33pm

    At the end of the day, no matter how much he squirmed, didn’t respond, or stuck his foot in his mouth, it doesn’t matter, because, he has made a fortune on the publics dime and he could care less about America. We’re the dumb ones because we keep electing the guys like Rangel, Sharpton, Reid, and the list goes on.

    Report Post »  
    • AngryJim
      Posted on June 13, 2012 at 3:40pm

      They get in because most of their voters are part of the 47% who don’t pay any taxes… Just another POS liberal hack!

      Report Post »  
  • Popp40
    Posted on June 13, 2012 at 12:33pm

    Typical Progressive/Liberal….they never answer the questions and instead talk all around the question thinking that we cannot see what they are doing. This is why we are in the position we are in…people like Rangel, yet he continues to be voted into office.

    Report Post »  
  • willbedone
    Posted on June 13, 2012 at 12:22pm

    The latest from the soap opera “As your stomach turns”. The advertisers and Fox made the most. Not one word makes a bit of difference. SSDD

    Report Post » willbedone  
  • Micmac
    Posted on June 13, 2012 at 12:18pm

    Term limits, or in this case maybe euthanasia is the ticket. Earmarks is his meal ticket.

    NoBama 2012

    Report Post »  
  • Watermain
    Posted on June 13, 2012 at 12:16pm

    Not a Hannity fan, but anybody that takes Rangel to task is doing a good thing. He might be the most crooked politician that ever lived who wasn’t a president.

    Report Post » Watermain  
  • piper60
    Posted on June 13, 2012 at 12:14pm

    Nothing like watching a democrat squirm on national television.

    Report Post » piper60  
  • Wildblue3
    Posted on June 13, 2012 at 12:09pm

    I watched this live last night and Sean was having so much fun.

    Report Post »  
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