Rangel disputes motivation behind tax plan

WASHINGTON, Feb. 9 (UPI) -- Rep. Charles Rangel, D-N.Y., said Saturday he questions the true motivation behind the proposed U.S. economic stimulus plan.

The House Ways and Means Committee chairman took time during the weekly Democratic radio address to challenge President George Bush's motivation for wanting the economic package, a transcript of Rangel's comments provided by The Democratic National Committee showed.

Rangel said that while the plan would alleviate the financial stresses of U.S. citizens during tax season, the true motivation behind it was likely to benefit businesses nationwide.

"This is not a compassionate act. It's really done in order to spur businesses," the representative said. "They want businesses to be able to serve their goods and their services to people who right now, even though many of them work every day, just can't afford to buy it."

Rangel called on his fellow politicians to work together to create new methods to help bolster the struggling economy.

"Now it is time for all us to band together, Republicans and Democrats, to work with this president and ask him to help us to rekindle the dream that has faded for so many of our brothers and sisters," he said.