Recently, the American taxpayer got stiffed for a huge junket by Members of Congress and the Administration for their unrequired and unnecessary attendance at the climate change confab. It produced nothing. There is no crisis, there is no manmade climate change that can be substantiated, and the entire premise of the meeting was faulty.
Nevertheless, Nancy Pelosi, several other Members of Congress (from both parties), their staffs, the President, the Secretary of State, some 60 Administration staffers, and employees from the State Department and EPA - some 165 in all - attended this grand affair and apparently were charged the 6-night minimum at the 5-star Marriott hotel regardless of their length of stay. Airfare totaled over $1.1 million.
Hasn't anyone in the government heard of expedia, priceline or cheaptickets.com? A 5-star hotel? Really?
First, no one from this country should have even attended the event for three very simple reasons: (1) global warming climate change at the hand of man is not a fact so staging a UN conference to discuss something that doesn't exist is just silly, (2) no one expected any enforceable treaty would emerge from this event anyway - again making it unnecessary, and (3) we couldn't afford to send anyone - the real biggie.
Second, since these three simple concepts were ignored, anyone on the public payroll, who did not receive prior approval from us, the taxpayers, to attend should be required to repay every dime and not be allowed to take any international trips for at least 12 months.
Third, a citizens' council (we'll figure out the details of how it works later) should be formed to evaluate written travel requests by members of Congress and the Administration - and accept or deny them - based on the following criteria: (1) it must be in the budget of that department, (2) it must have a compelling economic or security benefit to the United States as explained in writing, (3) the lowest airfare and hotel rate will be determined for that city and this is all that will be allowed, (4) only the standard IRS per diem for meals will be allowed, (5) excepting the President acting as the Head of State, the reason for more than one person going as an official representative of our government must be explained and documented in writing, and (6) all spouses, assistants, and staffers will travel at their own expense unless paid for personally by their spouse or immediate supervisor.
As I recall, it was "Join the Navy and see the world" and not "get elected or work in Washington and see the world at our expense."
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Right on with your post! But, there is so much of this going on that I don't know where to begin. If this we're done in the private sector, you'd either be fined, prosecuted or fired. Why is this behavior essentially sanctioned by the public because of the "work" these people do? Evidently, there are just not enough people like you or me out there that care. It's a sad commentary about our society as a whole.
Steve, May I just say "I AGREE TOTALLY WITH YOUR POST"!!
I thought these people knew all there is to know about climate change, don't these people realize their under scrutiny for their expenses!
I hope you had a great Tuesday,
Paul
Carlos,
Thank you for your support and agreement. I think that Congress has been treated like a priveleged class for so long that they actually believe it. Remember 40 weeks from now we'll see new names in Congress. :)
Steev
Marchel,
Thank you. Thank you. Now, to do something about it. :)
Steve
Steve, I have to watch my pennies, I wish our government felt the same...and if I get three pennies, they'll take two. There's something wrong with that. :-(
Steve
This is another example of tax payer money being wasted.
Good luck and success.
Lou Ludwig
Steve, Just another example of the many reasons that we need to get rid of all the incumbents. I'm hoping to see lots of new names in the coming years.
Steve,
What's coming out about that trip should outrage every voting American, regardless of party.
Rich
Steve, Our Politicians have never worried about spending our tax dollars, but those days are long gone. I want someone to put a stop to this nonsense.
It is long past time that we hold them accountable in a big way. They are ripping us off as they live like royalty.
Featured in Tea Party!
Paul,
They don't realize anything except their own importance. :)
Steve
Mary,
You are so right. Instead of government serving us, it's the other way around. :)
Steve
Lou,
More than wasted, it is intentional misuse of the money. :)
Steve
Gary,
I'm with you. I can only think of a handful of people I'd like to see stay on. :)
Steve
Rich,
It should, but the complicit news organizations won't cover theis. Most people don't even know about it. :)
Steve
Bob,
Except for the 17 enumerated powers for the Congress, there should be no spending at all. :)
Steve
Kevin,
They live, act, and think like royalty - most of them. :)
Steve
Kevin,
Thank you for the feature. We need to keep spreading the message about the waste and disconnect. :)
Steve
Have you seen the list of all who attended? Wives, husbands, daughters....what's up with that??? It's shameful that government is no longer working FOR the people.
Sue,
I certainly have. That's why there is #6 is in my review criteria. :)
Steve
I just saw a break down on this folly on the news yesterday. What a crock to be sticking it to the American taxpayer, when we are giving up simple pleasures just to stay afloat.
Do you still have rails in Washington? Polish them off for November and give them all a free ride.
Bonnie,
Works for me. :)
Steve