Whoops! $780,000

Jillian Bandes | August 28, 2009 3:40 PM

Rep. Charlie Rangel, (D-N.Y.), "forgot" about an entire apartment, one of his checking accounts worth between $250,000 and $500,000, stocks worth between $16,000 and $51,000, a rental property he owned worth $75,000, and a handful of other investments. The House Committee on Ethics hasn't yet determined the extent of the "forgetfulness," though it's currently estimated at as much as $780,000.

If one is supposed to take the "I forgot" excuse at face value, I have one question. Rangel is the chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee -- you know, the committee that determines the proper allocation of taxpayer money towards government causes. How is Rangel supposed to have a clear understanding of the national budget when he can't even wrap his head around his own personal finances?

If one doesn't buy his "I forgot" excuse, then what possible excuse is there to do anything less than kick him out of Congress, stat, in light of this massive, massive fraud?