Americans are becoming more and more fed up with the lack of congressional integrity and outright financial abuse of our hard earned tax dollars.Yet, it seems that the problem isn’t resolving, it’s only growing worse which shows the complete and utter disregard and disrespect from the “ruling class.”
From The Hot Air Greenroom:
“What would you think of an employee who abused his company expense account by pocketing unused travel funds? At the very least you’d agree the employee was dishonest.
Some half dozen employees are currently under congressional investigation for precisely the “little indiscretion” described. You know their employer well: It is the United States government. The employees guilty of the abuse are all members of the U.S. House of Representatives.
According to the Wall Street Journal, Congress members from both parties have been abusing their per diem – funds accorded them to cover travel expenses, including meals. When their expenses are picked up by other people, such as foreign government officials or U.S. ambassadors, they are expected to return the unused funds, which ultimately belong to you, the taxpayer.
In many cases, however, they don’t. Some spend the leftover cash on gifts or use it to cover their spouses’ travel expenses. Others merely put the extra money in their pocket. Not that the cash, which can add up to as much as $1,000, is exactly pocket change by most Americans’ reckoning.
Not all lawmakers are so cavalier with your money. One, Sen. Richard Durbin (D-IL), claims that he mails a personal check to the U.S. Treasury after each trip. Since Congress doesn’t keep records of the amount of per diem returned to the government, it is hard to say whether the senator is being forthright.
Other Congress members are openly abusive. Among the most flagrant offenders are Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC), Rep. Alcee Hastings (D-FL), Rep. Robert Aderholt (R-AL), Rep. Solomon Ortiz (D-TX), former Rep. Mark Souder (R-IN), Rep. Robert Aderholt (R-AL), and Rep. G.K. Butterfield (D-NC). In an ironic twist, Rep. Butterfield is – get ready for it – a member of the House ethics committee.
Among the uses to which the money – your money – was put were marble goblets bought in Kabul (Joe Wilson), drinks and gifts for traveling companions (Alcee Hastings), and a $200 painting of a Turkish estuary (Mark Souder). Perhaps the cake taker among the above-named Congress members is Robert Aderholt, who claims he isn’t sure if he keeps the money because doesn’t retain receipts.
The House ethics committee already has its hands full with cases against Reps. Charlie Rangel and Maxine Waters. Nor is it clear that the per diem abuses will reach that level.”
