Congress: Healthy, Expensive Appetites
By Wyatt Earp | July 25, 2010
So get this: the expense reports for Congress have just been released, and it seems that they are living high on the hog. Actually, it seems they are spending like drunken sailors, living like hogs – and eating like pigs.
You know those polls that show Congress’ popularity lower than Paris Hilton’s standards? Maybe stories like these are to blame:
Crave ribs? Bagels and coffee or doughnuts? Seafood, subs or Chinese? So does Congress!
House members spent part of their Members Representational Allowances on these items — and more — during the nine-month period between late 2009 and early 2010 covered by the Sunlight Foundation’s House Expenditure Reports Database. The info is highly enlightening, revealing, for instance, the popularity of Chantilly Donut’s sinkers; what it costs to feed hungry congressional pages; and how lucrative it can be to own a part of the cottage industry of keeping our duly elected representatives fed and well hydrated.
According to the documents, Democrat Gregorio Sablan, the first-ever House delegate for the Northern Mariana Islands, spent more on food than any other legislator, racking up a tab of $23,457. The second-place legislator, Texas Republican Michael Burgess, spent $17,515.
For those of you who are not regular readers here, I have been calling for voters to vote them out – all of them, regardless of party – for a few years now. Despicable people like Sablan and Burgess should be the first to go.
Topics: Politics | 9 Comments »
July 25th, 2010 at 9:28 am
I’m making mental notes of the names on campaign signs that appear with the words “re-elect” or “keep”. I know jack about the politicians in my state, but to heck with it- they can all go.
July 25th, 2010 at 11:47 am
Vote em out is right! Remember in November!
July 25th, 2010 at 11:58 am
In the old days, Politicians like them would be tarred, feathered, and run out of town on a rail.
IMO, we’ve become too damn civilized.
July 25th, 2010 at 11:58 am
Gluttony is trans-party. I agree, Wyatt. Vote them all out. They;ve had their time at the trough.
July 25th, 2010 at 12:48 pm
They have the power to declare war, but they can’t pack their own lunch?
July 25th, 2010 at 12:56 pm
Sally Anne – Probably a good idea.
Old NFO – All of them. Every single one. That’s what I’m doing, anyway.
Raptor – Agreed. Put them in the unemployment lines. That can be their only wake up call.
Robert B – And they need a diet.
Mrs. Crankipants – Packing a lunch is for peons, dontcha know?
July 25th, 2010 at 6:10 pm
At least a Drunken Sailor quits when he runs out of money! Personal experience talking here. Just ask the Old NFO!
July 25th, 2010 at 11:19 pm
A great argument for term limits
July 26th, 2010 at 4:17 pm
It is past time for a good old fashioned “house” cleaning. Senate, too.