In no time flat has Congressman Charles Rangel upset people. Actually, the new head of the House's Ways and Means Committee may have upset a whole state. In Thursday's NY Times story about how New York politicians will head very influential committees in Congress, Rangel said while discussing how New York State gives up a lot in federal taxes but doesn't get much in return (whereas Mississippi gets much more in federal money than what it pays in taxes), "Mississippi gets more than their fair share back in federal money, but who the hell wants to live in Mississippi?"
And that was the shot heard across the Mighty Mississippi. Proud residents are demanding an apology. All Rangel will offer, though, is "I certainly don’t mean to offend anyone. I just love New York so much that I can’t understand why everyone wouldn’t want to live here." Word. And some people in other parts say "New York" like it's a bad word anyway. But Rangel has much more power, and while it might be too late for the 36 year Congressional veteran to develop a filter, we hope he keeps his verbal gaffes to a minimum. As they say, you get more flies with honey than you do vinegar.
New York magazine profiled Rangel in February and asked "Does Charlie Rangel know when to shut up?"
