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What Would You Drive, if the Taxpayers Paid?
NY Times ^ | May 1, 2008 | RAYMOND HERNANDEZ

Posted on 04/30/2008 11:06:48 PM PDT by neverdem

Representative Anthony D. Weiner, Democrat of Brooklyn and Queens, drives a 2008 Chevrolet Impala, leased for $219 a month. Representative Michael R. McNulty, a Democrat from the Albany area, gets around in a 2007 Mercury Mariner hybrid, a sport utility vehicle, for $816 a month.

“It gets a little better than 25 miles a gallon,” Mr. McNulty said.

Charles B. Rangel, the chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, is not so caught up in the question of gas mileage. He leases a 2004 Cadillac DeVille for $777.54 a month. The car is 17 feet long with a 300-horsepower engine and seats five comfortably.

“It’s one of the bigger Cadillacs,” Mr. Rangel, of Harlem, said cheerfully this week. “I’ve got a desk in it. It’s like an airplane.”

Modest or more luxurious, the cars are all paid for by taxpayers. The use of a car — gas included — is one of the benefits of being a member of the House of Representatives.

There are few restrictions on what kind of car the members can choose, and there is no limit on how much they can spend. But the benefit can be politically sensitive, given the growing concerns about automobile emissions and an economy that has left many people struggling to pay for the rapidly rising cost of gas, which was...

--snip--

Members have found themselves under fire in their districts for what their constituents may regard as extravagant tastes or for leasing foreign cars. Before the 2006 election, one Ithaca resident denounced Representative Maurice D. Hinchey’s lease of a BMW 530i to The Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin, saying that Mr. Hinchey, a Democrat, “sticks it to” the taxpayers and American workers. (Mr. Hinchey also leases a 2007 Nissan Altima for $200 a month for his chief of staff.)...

(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; Front Page News; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: representative; representatives
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Michelle V. Agins/The New York Times
Representative Charles B. Rangel says his leased Cadillac DeVille projects an image of success.
1 posted on 04/30/2008 11:06:48 PM PDT by neverdem
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To: neverdem

I grew up in NYC -— I drive a 1997 Ford Escort. I get between 32 and 37 mpg. My husband drives a 2000 Ford Ranger. When we go up to NYC for my 30th HS reunion in October, we will be taking my Escort. When I have to drive in Brooklyn I want to be driving a vehicle I am REAL familiar with!

Growing up the first car I remember my parents having was a Ford Falcon, then my dad switched to Plymouth Fury, after 3 of them he went witha Delta 88. My grandfather was mostly a Chevy man.

This entire article repulses me, on SO many levels.

I think it is time for me to go back to bed —— good night! :)


2 posted on 04/30/2008 11:19:25 PM PDT by Gabz (Don't tell my mom I'm a lobbyist, she thinks I'm a piano player in a whorehouse)
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To: neverdem

If I had the choice, it would be Air Force One, Marine One and a red 1956 Cadillac convertible.


3 posted on 04/30/2008 11:19:46 PM PDT by FFranco
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To: neverdem

Businessmen need to look successful. Government officials don’t.


4 posted on 04/30/2008 11:20:03 PM PDT by skr (I serve a risen Savior!)
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To: neverdem

They should all be given used Yugos and “Le Cars.”


5 posted on 04/30/2008 11:32:42 PM PDT by fieldmarshaldj (~"This is what happens when you find a stranger in the Alps !"~~)
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To: neverdem

I would probably drive or ride in a SUV. Something like a Tahoe or Expedition. Something that four or more people can roll in and carry files and other stuff. Minivan would be an option as well, but I think both are about the same price today.


6 posted on 04/30/2008 11:35:34 PM PDT by neb52
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To: skr

“Businessmen need to look successful. Government officials don’t.”

Especially Congressman and Senators. President is one thing, but I think the Government should just buy a fleet of Tahoes one year and then after three years buy a fleet of Expeditions. Nothing fancy just mid range models. Should get a decent discount on quantity orders.


7 posted on 04/30/2008 11:38:31 PM PDT by neb52
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To: fieldmarshaldj

Give them and their staff bodacious Tatas..


8 posted on 04/30/2008 11:40:45 PM PDT by sheik yerbouty ( Make America and the world a jihad free zone!)
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To: neverdem
Mr. Rangel said he frequently offers rides to constituents so they can discuss their concerns in the luxurious confines of his DeVille. “I want them to feel that they are somebody and their congressman is somebody,” Mr. Rangel explained. “And when they say, ‘This is nice,’ it feels good.”

He should tell the constituents that the car is being paid for by their social security money.

9 posted on 04/30/2008 11:43:34 PM PDT by Loud Mime (Obama and Hillary: Not one bit of constitutional reference in their debates; it's all gimmie gimmie)
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To: neverdem

Actually, I *do* like the idea of a hybrid, but not one of the hampster wheel type..more like a compact SUV, but more than just gas milage, I want an SUV that is designed, and set up, to be used as an emergency back up generator, during power outages and camping trips. I not only want a a weather proteced outlet, accessable from the outside of the car, I want electroninic monitoring, so that the car will shut off if the gass level gets below an 1/8 ogf a tank, and a security remote, so that the car can be turned on and off from inside the house, while denying the ability for someone to enter and drive away when it’s running to power the outlet.


10 posted on 04/30/2008 11:44:45 PM PDT by DGHoodini ("I never did believe you much, anyway...")
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To: neverdem
What Would You Drive, if the Taxpayers Paid?


11 posted on 04/30/2008 11:54:03 PM PDT by KentTrappedInLiberalSeattle (If McCain really CAN "win without conservatives," then why do you care if I vote for him or not?)
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To: neverdem
Representative Charles B. Rangel says his leased Cadillac DeVille projects an image of success.

Looking at the photo, I'd say it projects an image of not really caring about the "NO PARKING TODAY" sign covering the parking meter at the spot his Caddy is occupying. But really, that's an old rig, and to me at least, it isn't an image of success, it just looks like another old guy's car. Now if the guy was cruzin' in an Escalade with 26" gold plated spinners and huge LCD screens in it, with a 1000 watt stereo system, yeah, that would be an image of success, New York style. He'd be ridin' dirty...

12 posted on 04/30/2008 11:55:54 PM PDT by kittycatonline.com
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To: neverdem

If the taxpayers were footing the bill, I’d wouldn’t drive I’d fly.

A nice Gulfstream G-550. And a steal at only $40 million give or take a few hundred thousand for customization.

http://www.gulfstream.com/g550/


13 posted on 05/01/2008 12:02:56 AM PDT by Dr.Zoidberg ("Shut the hell up, New York Times, you sanctimonious whining jerks!" - Craig Ferguson)
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To: neverdem
You've got to be kidding! WE are paying for automobiles, Lincolns, BMW's and Cadillacs for these, under NORMAL circumstances, ne’er do wells!! I think they all deserve roller skates.

It would have been a nice touch if the list had mentioned to which party each of these guys belonged.

Yes, Charlie needs his Cadillac in order to “appear successful”. Nothing else about him conveys that message!

14 posted on 05/01/2008 12:03:04 AM PDT by singfreedom
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To: neverdem
I would drive this!


15 posted on 05/01/2008 12:09:39 AM PDT by Schnucki
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To: Dr.Zoidberg
If the taxpayers were footing the bill, I’d wouldn’t drive I’d fly.

From the story which didn't say so explicitly, I got the impression that the vehicles were used by he Representatives just to tool around their districts.

16 posted on 05/01/2008 12:16:07 AM PDT by neverdem (I'm praying for a Divine Intervention.)
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To: Schnucki
I'd prefer something like this...
17 posted on 05/01/2008 12:19:22 AM PDT by Lusis ("Underlying most arguments against the free market is a lack of belief in freedom itself.")
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To: neverdem

Nothing. I can’t drive :-(


18 posted on 05/01/2008 12:23:35 AM PDT by Pylon (Remember boys, flies spread disease, so keep yours closed.)
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To: neverdem

Egads, more and more I feel like I’m in Russia and these people are in the Kremlin.


19 posted on 05/01/2008 12:26:45 AM PDT by Lijahsbubbe
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To: neverdem

Rangel = shitheel dirtbag bum. loudmouthed moron. Need I add, I’m not one of his supporters?


20 posted on 05/01/2008 12:27:36 AM PDT by Octar
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