We need more unemployed politicians

[clarencebunsen]

Congress's Travel Tab Swells
Spending on Taxpayer-Funded Trips Rises Tenfold; From Italy to the Galápagos

online.wsj.com/article/SB124650399438184235.html

Hundreds of lawmakers traveled overseas in 2008 at a cost of about $13 million. That's a 50% jump since Democrats took control of Congress two years ago.

The cost of so-called congressional delegations, known among lawmakers as "codels," has risen nearly 70% since 2005, when an influence-peddling scandal led to a ban on travel funded by lobbyists, according to the data.

The Journal analysis, based on information published in the Congressional Record, also shows that taxpayer-funded travel is a big and growing perk for lawmakers and their families. Some members of Congress have complained in recent months about chief executives of bailed-out banks, insurance companies and car makers who sponsored corporate trips to resorts or used corporate jets for their own travel.

Although complete travel records aren't yet available for 2009, it appears that such costs continue to rise. The Journal analysis shows that the government has picked up the tab for travel to destinations such as Jamaica, the Virgin Islands and Australia's Great Barrier Reef.

Lawmakers frequently bring along spouses on congressional trips. If they take commercial flights, they have to buy tickets for spouses. If they fly on government planes -- as they usually do -- their spouses can fly free.

I suppose it's possible they feel additional stimulus is needed for the travel industry.

[chris]

............................And the most obvious trip was the recent in your face Mr & Mrs. O. in NYC .

[Clipper]

While I originally did not approve of the Obama's going to NYC on our dollar either, I stopped and thought about how many times GW enjoyed weekends at his Texas ranch on our dollar, or how many times his father vacationed in Maine on taxpayer money.

Make no mistake about it, I am NOT an Obama fan, but the Obama's life has to go on. We can't expect them to hole up in the Whitehouse for his entire term, and NYC was a cheaper alternative than Chicago. The sad fact is that no matter where he goes, even if it is down the street to the favorite hamburger joint, he incurrs a major expense in secret service protection, motorcade planning, etc. I would imagine, although I don't know for sure, that there is at least a couple of suburbans loaded with his protective personnel that has to precede him and accompany him, even on the short local hamburger trips.

I think there is most likely more abuse related to congressional travel expense than with the Obama's date nights.

[dgriffin]

Recent news reports revealed that the average British citizen pays 69 pence toward the Royal family's expenses as titular heads of state. Here's the view of one Brit on the subject:

www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/columnists/frank_skinner/article6626288.ece

" ... I learnt this week, is how much she cost each of us last year. Speaking as someone who doesn’t have a swimming pool, children, or any interest in making a very low-budget Tarzan movie, Her Majesty would seem to be the better buy.

Admittedly, a breakdown of her spending is slightly alarming. For example, she spent £14,000 on a train journey from London to Liverpool. Still, that’s what happens when an old-age pensioner tries to operate the self-service ticket machine. Personally, I take a more liberal attitude to the Queen’s expenses than I do to those racked up by our MPs."