Charles Rangel: “Perhaps, Mr. Chairman, the best way is to recite a poem, maybe to lower the temper in here. 'Twas the night before…”

“Perhaps, Mr. Chairman, the best way is to recite a poem, maybe to lower the temper in here. 'Twas the night before Christmas, When all through the House, Every tax lawyer was stirring, Even the hedge fund's spouse. The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, In hopes that AMT relief soon would be there. The children were nestled all snug in their beds While visions of health care and surplus danced in their heads. The Speaker with gavel and Bush with his pen, And Republican Visa cards on the mend, Blue Dogs, debt and dollar in decline, Our fiscal sanity all on the line, 'Away with PAYGO' the Republicans cheer, Sack the children with debt, year after year. Our majority too slim to beat a veto, The luster of debt is all the minority know. When what to my dismayed eyes should appear, The upcoming election year.…”