Change we can believe in

[Eastoff]

I guess reforming the reformer that doesn't reform won't reform either.

http://thinkprogress.org/election/2012/07/16/511807/tea-party-car-leases/

their title is a little misleading though.

 

[magnifier661]

Reminds me of when Clinton left office and tried taking White House Furniture. Those silly politicians!

 

[maxiep]

Get rid of all auto leases and vote against anyone who takes one out. It's a bullshit use of their office funds.

By the way, here's the full list: http://blogs.ajc.com/jamie-dupree-washington-insider/2012/06/08/congressional-auto-leases/

 

[magnifier661]

Get rid of all auto leases and vote against anyone who takes one out. It's a bullshit use of their office funds.

By the way, here's the full list: http://blogs.ajc.com/jamie-dupree-washington-insider/2012/06/08/congressional-auto-leases/

Odd that the Democrats weren't listed. In fact, I think there are more Democrats (42) than Republicans (34) on that list.

 

[BlazerCaravan]

Odd that the Democrats weren't listed. In fact, I think there are more Democrats (42) than Republicans (34) on that list.

But Democrats aren't holding themselves to a higher standard of government management... hell, it's expected that they'd spend gub'ment money on cars and perks, given how corrupt they are.

But the tea party? They hold themselves to a higher standard.

 

[maxiep]

I'd like a rule that any unspent money allocated to a Congressman or Senator goes directly to their District or State coffers. Add a little incentive to saving money.

 

[Denny Crane]

I wish spending taxpayer money on company vehicles (auto leases) was all they did.

FWIW,

http://paul.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1841&Itemid=28

Washington, DC: Congressman Ron Paul has returned $141,580 of unspent office funds to the US Treasury. This represents just over 9% of the total office funds, and an increase over the $100,000 returned last year.

"Since my first year in Congress I have managed my office in a frugal manner, instructing staff to provide the greatest possible service to the people of the 14th district at the least possible cost to taxpayers," said Paul.

The surplus funds are intended to go towards paying down the national debt

---

In perspective, $25K (the highest these guys are accused of) over 1.5 years out of $2.5M worth of office budgets (per member) doesn't seem like a big deal to me. They have to get around somehow, and their office budgets are theirs to spend as they see fit. It'd be interesting to see if they spent the whole budgeted amounts.