Dems Junkets on the taxpayer dime?

[TheMercenary]

It is not about who did what, it is about the double standards and duplicity. Need I post some grand Nancy Pelosi quotes and Obama quotes about change and how the are going to do things differently in Washington?

[richlevy]

Some conservatives have alleged that Pelosi's flight to Italy cost $200,000. Rumors have been circulating for quite some time that Pelosi uses a 200-seat Air Force jet for her flights, and that she is the first Speaker to regularly fly on military planes. However, nonpartisan Web site FactCheck.org explains that, in fact, Speaker Dennis Hastert was the first to make regular use of Air Force planes, and that Pelosi uses the same type that he did, a 12-seater.

I remember talking to someone I knew who worked for a major computer company. He was complaining about being sent to Paris again. It wasn't until I went on my first business trip late in my career to San Francisco and LA (multiple times) that I understood how draining it can be. Working long days and returning to your hotel too exhausted to do anything but sleep makes the location irrelevant.

I have less sympathy for people who have retreats at fancy resorts where the invitees can duck out of any or all programs.

If Pelosi or any member of Congress worked a full schedule and didn't spend most of their time touring the wine country, that's fine. I wonder if their itineraries are public by law or by choice.

At the very least, she didn't pull a Palin and have the government fly her children along at taxpayer expense as special ambassadors or something.

Originally Posted by richlevy

If Pelosi or any member of Congress worked a full schedule and didn't spend most of their time touring the wine country, that's fine. I wonder if their itineraries are public by law or by choice.

I think the intineraries are not made public in advance for security reasons.

Originally Posted by TheMercenary

I guess you have not heard much about the latest Pelosi trip.

I dont have a problem with Pelosi meeting the Pope, then traveling on to the meet with the US military leaders at NATO, then on to Afghanistan to meet with Pres. Karzai. I wouldnt have a problem if the Republican leader did the same thing.

Sounds like a busy week of state business. Why would you want to change that?

Particularly with stricter and more transparent travel reporting requirements in place.

[richlevy]

Originally Posted by Redux

I think the intineraries are not made public in advance for security reasons.

I meant after the fact. As long as members know that they will be scrutinized by the public, that should cut down on abuse.

Palin did not seem to realize that her baggage (pardon the pun) would become public when she sought a national seat.

http://a.abcnews.com/Politics/wireStory?id=6084575

Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin is allowed to charge taxpayers for her children's commercial airline tickets because they represent the state wherever they go with her, the governor's aides said Wednesday.
"There's an expectation that the First Family participates in community activities," said Sharon Leighow, the governor's spokeswoman. "They are representing the First Family and the state of Alaska."


Leighow and other Palin supporters defended the GOP vice presidential candidate's use of $21,012 in state money to pay for her three daughters' flights, after The Associated Press reported the practice on Tuesday. The AP reported that often the children were not invited to the events the governor attended, but she brought them anyway and charged the government.

Maybe first families do get an exemption. I guess it depends if the family is involved in events or not. I wouldn't think that Obama would bring his wife and kids to tour NATO.

[TheMercenary]

Originally Posted by richlevy

I wouldn't think that Obama would bring his wife and kids to tour NATO.

You're kidding right? I would be disappointed if he didn't.

[sugarpop]

Originally Posted by TheMercenary

You're kidding right? I would be disappointed if he didn't.

Yea? So you couldn't bitch about it maybe and point out how wasteful he's being.