Lawmakers, failing to realize home is where the crisis is, are spending taxpayer dollars on travel around the world, and are taking their families with them. It’s always easier to spend Other People’s Money, especially when you are a politician, historically more so when you’re a Democrat.
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.
…and yet:
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.
I think Lawmakers should learn more about the world before they become lawmakers. I think Presidents especially should have relevant experience before running for office (crickets chirping)…but I digress.
Maybe then they will discern beforehand, that spending 800 billion borrowed dollars isn’t going to cap unemployment at 8% (now 9.5%) or stimulate anything for that matter.
Lawmakers say that the trips are a good use of government funds because they allow members of Congress and their staff members to learn more about the world, inspect U.S. assets abroad and forge better working relationships with each other. The travel, for example, includes official visits to American troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.
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.
Learning about Jamaica? Next time I travel to a vacation spot, I’m going to write off the whole trip on my taxes. I will have been “learning” about the world for my business. It’s research I’ll say.
In February, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi led a delegation of Democratic lawmakers to visit U.S. troops in Afghanistan for a day. Before landing in Kabul, the eight lawmakers and their entourage of spouses and aides spent eight days in Italy, spending $57,697 on hotels and meals.
Scores of lawmakers are spending this week abroad on taxpayer-funded trips. Congressional offices say they won’t release details of the trips for security reasons.
Sure.
This is not the Change® I voted against.
Yeah but just imagine the incredible boost in morale among the soldiers and Marines in Afghanistan when Speaker Pelosi visited them. I’m sure they took great comfort from seeing how tanned, well rested and well fed she was in Italy.
Next time I travel to a vacation spot, I’m going to write off the whole trip on my taxes.
Always try to schedule an interview when you go on vacation, or at least a visit to a company in the industry not too far from your vacation. Makes the whole thing deductible.
Of course, in Jamaica that may mean just visiting a business that’s for sale, but still…