Posted on 03/18/2006 5:27:36 AM PST by Liz
Members of the House of Representatives can lease automobiles courtesy of the Treasury, at a total cost to the taxpayers of more than $1 million a year.
Several congressmen exploit the perk by opting for high-end luxury cars. And the Knight-Ridder newspaper chain reports found several members of the New York delegation are high up on the lease list.
* Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-Queens) tools around in a Lexus - monthly payment, $1,062.85. Total yearly cost to the taxpayer: $12,754.20.
* Rep. Charles Rangel (D-Harlem) opts for the more classic look - a Cadillac DeVille. The $998.48 monthly payment costs taxpayers $11,981.76 a year.
* Rep. Maurice Hinchey (D-Binghamton) apparently needs two taxpayer-paid vehicles - a plebeian Nissan Altima for about $256 a month, plus a rather more upscale BMW 530i at $499.93 a month. Total cost to the taxpayer: $9,080 a year.
Now, we understand that congressmen need to get around sprawling districts......But a Cadillac? A Lexus? A BMW 530i?
They are congressmen in contempt of their constituents.
(Excerpt) Read more at nypost.com ...
These latter day robber barons are constantly hailed and honored as "outstanding individuals."
The shame is they are engaged in some form of campaign finace hijinks, illegal conversions, money gouging, nepotism and/or double-dipping.
Here's how they operate: Rail advocacy put Sen Robert Menendez on gravy train by helping make it a reality......the light rail line also helped make him, news reports said.
As a mayor, a state legislator and then member of Congress from Hudson County, Menendez fought to win state and federal funding for the $2.2 billion project, which takes 25,000 travelers a day off constantly congested roads and fueled a real estate boom.
It also was a major source of money for Menendez's campaign accounts, an analysis of fund-raising records from 2001 through 2005 shows. At least 28 different contractors and developers benefiting from the project made more than 500 contributions totaling more than $825,000.
Those contributions bolstered a campaign war chest that totaled more than $4.2 million in December -- a war chest that helped propel Menendez into a leadership post in the House and was a key factor in his appointment by Governor Corzine to the U.S. Senate.
Menendez declined to respond to reporters questions about his fund raising, but his spokesman said Menendez is proud of his work for his home county and sees no problem with receiving support from those connected to the light rail line.
Do these people have no self-control in any area of their lives? Do the people of Queens (or Harlem) know about this waste of THEIR money? Is this what they think it should go for?
Thanks for the ping, Mo. Disgusting, but not surprising.
I don't agree with this either. Let them patronize a car dealership in their own district.
They might if THEY had to pay for it
But since they have Mom & Dad's credit card ... the skies the limit for them
I love those commercials. We quote them all day at work, although I am in the automotive business. My favorite is when they guy says "what does this do, suck in air?" and the woman says, "It's definately SUCKING!"
Neither Meeks nor Rangel have "sprawling districts."
Could be worse......in Iran the Parliament members get a car and a villa on the Caspian.
She's learned more at 19 than these guys have at 60.
There has to be a solution to this spending thing, but we know Congress won't discipline itself, and the people from these districts keep reelecting fools like Rangle.
We even send conservatives there to reform things, and they end up getting sucked into the machine. What's the answer?
It's the same rate Congress gets, 44.5 cents per mile.
A GREAT "wish I said that" moment!
What's the one that looks like those bugs that live under sinks? A Silverfish, I think the bug is called. There is one parked where I work.
But,but, McLame told us he was getting the money out of politics.
Did the straight shooter lie?
This is just another sign of the culture of corruption in DC. When you seem dramatic overpayments on an auto lease like these, it usually means the lease is front end loaded. This will have the effect of paying down the car so that the pay off at the end of the lease is below the market price of the vehicle. Once the lease is over, the congress thief, buys the car at below market and flips it back to the dealer at a substantial profit.
How come "we" can only take either the mileage or the actual costs of running the car (on the tax returns) and they get a paid lease and gas etc? I think I know why. Should be only mileage or lease paid.
....in politics.
When did Wilie Brown "run California"? He's a San Francisco local politician.
Government funded chocolate wrappers on wheels
This is chicken feed. Look into the government owned, corporate jets. They have a fleet of GIIIs and GIVs. Check out what it costs to fill one of those babies up. Hint: Think north of 35 large.
Politicians don't care. It is not their money they are spending.
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