Following the money: Rangel's no Nader

Amidst the current brouhaha surrounding Charlie Rangel’s cheap rent, it’s worth noting that the  veteran congressman (since 1971) has a relatively piddling net worth of “$566,000 to $1.2 million, according to Congressional disclosure records.” That’s not much on Capitol Hill where Speaker of the House Pelosi is worth well in excess of 25 mill and a whole passel of senators (Kerry, Kohl, Kennedy, Clinton, etc.) are even richer.  Hell, Rangel’s not even worth half of Ralph Nader. Now I don’t mean to justify rent cheating, if that’s what he’s doing, but the guy’s 78-years old with 37 years in Congress and if all he’s got to show for it is a million bucks, there’s reason to think that, compared to his colleagues, he’s a saint.