This week's Asshat goes to Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi.I'm not writing this as a political statement, because I'd be awarding it to anyone who was this arrogant in the blatant spending of my money.
Last year, Judicial Watch uncovered Ms. Pelosi's use of our Air Force as her own personal air taxi service for herself, her staff, her family and guests---sticking us with her bill of over 2 million dollars. This week, Judicial watch has obtained the documents under the FOIA from the Air Force detailing these expenditures and published them online.
Now I can understand the use of the Air Force on international flights where safety is an issue. As long as family members and non-essential to the mission guests pay their own market-value fare.
But on domestic flights? Bullpucky. Over 28k per flight to travel back and forth to her district? 31 trips that included her family?
Our domestic airline industry is facing troubles much like many businesses in these times. With the hundreds of flights that criss-cross our country daily, I don't see why Ms. Speaker can't book a flight on one of our own commercial airlines since they're going that way anyway.
Even if she rode first class, with say---a couple of her security personnel (does she get Secret Service protection?) and an assistant, with her staff riding coach like the rest of the great unwashed, it couldn't cost what amounts to a year's salary for many per flight. Her family can ride coach or first class, whatever they choose, because hey---it should be on their dime, not ours.
In addition, Amtrak and Greyhound need the business too. Don't think it would cost 28k to book an entire train car or charter a bus for her entourage either.
And over 100K for food and booze? WTF is up with that? If she's going to glom up military flights, let them eat MREs (Meals Ready to Eat) and bring their own bottles. My ex says those beef stew MREs are pretty tasty. He thinks there is a warehouse somewhere with a gazillion leftovers from the last war. Those things are like spam---they last forever. If they're good enough for our servicepeople, well...in my opinion, Ms. Pelosi and her staff are employed in OUR service. Pack your own lunch or take what we got.
Our country is in an economic crisis, Ms. Pelosi, and I'm not pointing fingers on who helped get us there (koff::bailouts::koff). Everyone has to pull in their belts a little, and as the Speaker of the House, you should be leading by example and not living the life of a rock star on our nickel.
As an end note, speaking of leading by example, I want to give some props to the First Lady.
In the last year I've seen media critics chide Mrs. Obama for not wearing couture all the time and for daring to wear the same outfit twice in public. I congratulate her for being what many of us aspire to be----fit, healthy and great-looking but unpretentious in her dress. She wears realistic clothes for every occasion, just like the rest of us. As a working mom, I want a First Lady I can relate to, and she fits the bill for me. Kudos, Mrs. O!
Thanks to The Right Side News, where I first caught sight of this article.
16 comments:
I am with you on Ms. Pelosi's extravagent travel costs. It is not a political opinion, but an opinion about an amazing level of arrogance and self-aggrandizing. Not attractive in anyone, but especially reprehensible in someone with their hand in our pockets.
I can agree with you about reducing the food spending, but I am wondering if the travel spending is related to the fact that she's 3rd in line for the Presidency. (The President has Air Force 1, the VP has Air Force 2, the Speaker is required to use some sort of Air Force travel?) If that isn't the case, however, commercial air travel it should be.
Pelosi has always considered herself to be "special," and this is a gross example of it. In truth, she talks a LOT but produces very little.
thats a hell of a lot of money for the princess and her court to fly the world
That is an obscene amount of money! It's outrageous!
You are so right about Nancy Pelosi-- She annoys me beyond words. It's sad that she's the best the Democrats can up with for a leader.
She was distracting sitting behind the President for the State of the Union address. What was up with all the faces she was making-- And jumping up every 5 seconds-- I thought she was going to give Biden a heart attack.
And, yes, Mrs. Obama rocks.
Have a great week Attila
jj
I think they should make her catch a bus as punishment.... and her family too!!!
That is crazy...insane....and makes me very angry!!! There is no defense for her doing this.
I would rant more....but you have said it all! :)
Yay Michelle Obama. She rocks!
Just the word asshat makes me laugh...
I completely agree with you.
However, I would have sold my sorry soul to have flown first class when I went to England.
(Okay, maybe not my soul…)
THAT is appalling. But let's cut services to the underprivileged to make up for the budget deficit, right?
Amen to your remarks on Mrs. O. I totally agree.
I wouldn't be so quick to hand out kudos to the first lady. During one of her first public appearances as first lady, she visited a soup kitchen wearing $500 sneakers. $500 could have fed quite a number of people.
I'll split the decision...
The woman cannot justify 100k in food and booze, that is patently nuts and needs to be changed, reined in, taken away whatever.
Pretzels, Madame Speaker. Suck it up.
I think, although I am not certain, that like the above commenter, amazonmidwife the decision to use the military aircraft may have to do with her being third in line for the Presidency, so maybe that has to stay in....but even if that's true...economies can be made...and should be made while we are all hanging on by our fingernails in this economy.
Well said! I agree with you 100%!
koff::bailouts::koff instituted by koff::republicans::koff.. During the latter days of the Bush Administration? Althought 100k is a lot to spend on food so I'll grant you that one.
But she probably flies via military aircraft for security reasons.
She may fly for security reasons but her family and staff certainly do not need to. It would be nice to find out all the perks Congress gives to themselves and how much it costs us. And now I will have to research how many other speakers used military aircraft to travel.
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