Thursday, August 6, 2009

Flying the not so friendly skies!



Now I'm frustrated....I keep waiting for the American government to act responsibly with our tax dollars and be more transparent with how they spend our money.
I guess my wait is still not over.

Just before Congress went on their summer break, the House approved $200 million to buy three Gulf Stream jets to fly top government officials and members of Congress around.

I realize that most of us have flown in private jets before (LOL), but just in case you prefer to fly commercial, below is a picture of a plush G5 Gulf stream jet.


I’m trying to remember, maybe you can help me, wasn't it just last year when Congress publicly chastised the auto industry and their CEO'S for traveling to Washington by private jet to attend hearings about possible bailouts for their companies.
I watched some of these hearings and I privately applauded Congress when this happened! When you're coming for a handout, it's best not to arrive in a Limo. Just tacky in my book!

Apparently Congress is not averse to private air travel, because at the end of July, the House approved nearly $200 million for the Air Force to buy three elite Gulf stream jets for top government officials and Members of Congress to use.
The Air force requested one scaled down G5 to add to it's fleet,
but the House Appropriations Committee added to the 2010 Defense appropriations bill another $132 million for two more airplanes and specified that they be assigned to the D.C.-area that carry Members of Congress, military brass and top government officials.

While searching the Government websites for more information, I found that
Steve Ellis, vice president of Taxpayers for Common Sense, said if Congress wants to buy new jets for the comfort of top government officials, “I think that all needs to be justified on the merits. ... Certainly, lawmakers can fly — and many do fly — coach and business class.” While there may be reasons for flying on top-notch private jets, “it shouldn't’t just be squeezed into the bill.”
Ellis said the airplanes are also part of a larger trend for the Appropriations Committee to simply decide that big-ticket items are program increases, not earmarks, so they require less public disclosure.

Amazing...and here I thought we the people would get more transparency, not business as usual.

24 comments:

  1. Wow, what a post. Isn't it the most disgusting thing to hear about the jets? I think the bigwigs forget WE elected them to their positions...I too had hopes that the tide would turn...

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  2. Cheryl;

    I know I'll be watching and casting my one vote very carefully in 2010. It's just around the corner!

    Lin;

    I guess I expected way to much this time! Tisk!

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  3. Sigh, all politicians are evil.

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  4. Don't know if this will make you feel worse or better Peggy, but in Ireland it's the same: our government voted to cut disabled children's education and elderly pensions FIRST, and were still flying on private jets to go across our tiny little island, which a car can drive across in a few hours. Ludicrous. And yes, evil, when you think of hungry children and homeless people.


    Hmmm... should we all stop complaining and go into politics for ourselves? LOLOL

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  5. Susan;

    I hear you Susan, makes me just shake my head. Don't know why they cancel important programs that help children and the poor first. Maybe it's because they can't or don't vote.
    Hope you're enjoying this side of the pond , I know I like you here!

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  6. I say we give them hot air balloons to travel in. Obviously, they have an excess of hot air!

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  7. Okay, don't get me started...I just can't believe how close to a dictatorship we are heading too.. check out the health care plan that will really scare the chit out of you..!!! I have copies if you want them!

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  8. darsden;

    I am scared chitless about the health care plan. I have very little confidence in the Congress not voting on something and then a year later going OOOPs my bad!!!
    I'm still mad at the Cap and trade bill....and the stimulus....both passed with earmarks and no disclosure!!!!!!Thanks for your comment, got my blood moving this morning!!!

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  9. Hope;

    Well said,,,LOL. I sure like your idea! Thanks for always leaving great commnets!!!!!!!!!

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  10. Well, you sure said a mouth full, can't add a thing to it.

    Thanks for stopping by my place and for taking the time to comment. I enjoyed the visit.

    Have a fabulous weekend!

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  11. It has to be odd to work at a place where you get paid to lie be hypocritical and say you represent the people. Someone recently wrote that the form of government we have is broke now, and there is no way to fix it but to start out with something different. I don't know what that might be.

    I think you should send this information to your congressman. I don't suppose it will do any good but at least he knows people are interested in what is going on.

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  12. Thanks Abe, I so agree that it's broke. the only thing I can think of to do is to clean house on election day. So 2010 will be my first opportunity.
    My son works in the Congress in DC and he tells me that the Reps are affected by constiguents phone calls and letters! So that's my next step!
    Thanks for stopping by , love your blog photos!

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  13. I tried to garner some hope this past election cycle but no such luck. I've learned never to take a politician at their word no matter the party!

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  14. I still have hope but I don't take promises at face value anymore!
    I think this administration can work, but they have a way to go before thy sleep so speak! Thanks so much for stopping by!
    We agree on so much.

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  15. Fiona;

    Yep, I was hoping that it would be different this time!
    Silly me!

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  16. Stacy;

    Thank you for stopping by my blog and leaving your comment!
    Insanity is the perfect discription!

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  17. Brian Williams reported on this tonight and we all shook our heads. Arrrghhhhh! Right after that they reported about that Continental Airlines flight that held it's passengers "hostage" for ....was it 12 hours? Something like that! What a nightmare!

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  18. I did the same hen I read about it on-line. We are living in the land of the weird! Thanks Kay

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