Posted on 02/05/2009 7:33:29 PM PST by Libloather
Congress retreats, luxuriously
By LAURIE KELLMAN, Associated Press Writer AP - 2 hours 40 minutes ago
WASHINGTON - Members of Congress were quick to shame corporate executives for over-the-top extravagance during the economic crisis, flying private jets and taking luxury junkets. But some lawmakers are strolling fancy resorts spending tens of thousands of taxpayer dollars and mingling with lobbyists.
"We're very mindful" of perceptions, House Democratic Caucus Chairman John Larson told reporters Thursday camped outside of the sprawling Kingsmill Resort & Spa in Williamsburg, Va., where House Democrats spent about $100,000 on their three-day annual retreat. "It's serious and it's from morning till night. We've been dwelling, rightfully, on the economy," said Larson, D-Conn.
Republicans and Democrats in the House have passed new rules governing such trips even as lawmakers say the events are useful for negotiating public policy. But with a nation tightening its belt and already fatigued by stories of corporate excess, perceptions matter these days in Washington. Congress risks shattering its glass house throwing stones.
"If it's a luxurious setting or if there's particularly high level entertainment, then they are running into the same problem," said Meredith McGehee of the Campaign Legal Center, a government ethics watchdog group. "They don't get that these are tough economic times, that Americans are struggling and they need to do their part."
Wells Fargo took that point when The Associated Press reported this week that the bank was rewarding its top performers with a lavish conference in Las Vegas, just after the company received a $25 billion bailout from taxpayers. After criticism from Congress, Wells Fargo canceled the getaway.
(Excerpt) Read more at ph.news.yahoo.com ...
Two-faced whores. All of them.
I've heard reports of $500,000. BUT, what's a few hundred thou amongst friends?
We need serious wage caps on Congress for their inept lawmaking that caused the fvcking bailout in the first place.
Obama and them are b1tching about private company compensation of top guys? These assholes gave themselves about a 5000 raise this year when nobody was looking. They ought to have to cut their salaries in half for the Fannie/Freddy debacle. They ought to have to fire Frank and Dodd. Preferably from the biggest cannon the military has.
Unfortunately Larson is my Congressman.
From the resort and spa ...
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0209/18482.html
At retreat, Obama goes on the offensive
Oh Geez. They just don’t care. I say send no more money to Washington DC.
If family planning is stimulus, why not expensive retreats?
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