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TAX-PAID BLINGMOBILES (congressmen in contempt of their constituents)
NY POST ^ | March 18, 2006 | EDITORIAL

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 ...


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; Editorial; Government
KEYWORDS: 109th; perks
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1 posted on 03/18/2006 5:27:38 AM PST by Liz
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To: Liz

hmmm, I wonder why I havent read about this in the OLD LIBERAL MEDIA? Hmmmm


2 posted on 03/18/2006 5:32:06 AM PST by Jazzman1
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To: Liz

Wonder where you could get a complete list of all the congressmen's leased cars. Seems like American cars may be down on the list for democrats.


3 posted on 03/18/2006 5:36:06 AM PST by eddie2 (GO CATS)
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To: Liz
What hypocrites...they will harangue us about buying gas guzzlers that are killing the environment, but drive around in a luxury that they would begrudge us peons. I think that some environmental group should get on their case and shame them into all driving those suppository shaped hybrids. Let them see what it's like driving with your knees on your chest or folded up into a ludicrous back seat.
4 posted on 03/18/2006 5:37:57 AM PST by The Great RJ ("Mir wölle bleiwen wat mir sin" or "We want to remain what we are." ..Luxembourg motto)
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To: Liz

When Willie Brown ran California, he drove the really high-end cars...Porsches, etc.


5 posted on 03/18/2006 5:38:21 AM PST by ErnBatavia (Meep Meep)
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To: eddie2

And who negotiated these lease terms?I could get the same cars for less than half of what they{we}pay.


6 posted on 03/18/2006 5:39:36 AM PST by Farmer Dean (Every time a toilet flushes,another liberal gets his brains.)
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To: eddie2

They have a salary that is three times the average and they expect the guy making $7/hr to subsidize their wheels. No wonder they vote for dumb things like more heating oil subsidies. The rest of us make it. They should, too.


7 posted on 03/18/2006 5:40:29 AM PST by ClaireSolt (.)
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To: Liz

I read about this last week and emailed Rep. Mark Kennedy (who will be the 'R' candidate for Lil' Marky Dayton's Senate seat) about this article. Here's a link about the same issue:

http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/news/14087208.htm


8 posted on 03/18/2006 5:45:43 AM PST by WorkingClassFilth (Di'ver'si'ty (adj.): A compound word derived from the root words: division; perversion; adversity.)
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To: ClaireSolt

Indeed, members of Congress could lease less expensive - and less flashy - cars through the General Services Administration, the federal government's purchasing agency, which negotiates bulk lease prices for the federal government. SUVs can be leased through the GSA for as little as $300 a month, according to the GSA Web site. Four-door, midsize sedans cost $258 a month.
The most expensive vehicle leased was a Ford Expedition for Rep. Michael Ross, D-Ark., for $1,248.31 a month. The cheapest: a Chevrolet Tahoe leased by Rep. John Carter, R-Texas, for $210.65 a month.
Many members report only the cost of a lease and not the make or model of the vehicle. The most popular models identified were SUVs: 19 members of Congress reported leasing the Chevrolet Tahoe or its twin, the GMC Yukon. They get about 15 miles per gallon in the city.
House Majority Whip Roy Blunt, R-Mo., whose district covers 5,500 oft-remote miles in southwestern Missouri, leases a Tahoe for $903.80 a month.


http://72.14.203.104/search?q=cache:3oBTnqaIdGEJ:www.car-center.ws/auto-leases.html+congressional+congress+car+automobile+lease+leases&hl=en&gl=us&ct=clnk&cd=6


9 posted on 03/18/2006 5:49:07 AM PST by eddie2 (GO CATS)
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To: Liz; onyx; ohioWfan; Texasforever; BigSkyFreeper; Tamzee; mrs tiggywinkle; Dog; My2Cents; Howlin; ..
* Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-Queens) tools around in a Lexus - monthly payment, $1,062.85. Total yearly cost to the taxpayer: $12,754.20.

monthly payment, $1,062.85 for a car ???

's more then my mortgage payment on my house

10 posted on 03/18/2006 5:51:47 AM PST by Mo1 ("Stupidity is also a gift from God, but it should not be abused." Pope John Paul II)
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To: Liz
Luxury cars and drivers are a small perk compared to the overall money a Congressman costs the taxpayers. I was in a congressman's office once that had just be redecorated. This was a suite of several rooms. The total cost to buy new drapes, furniture etc., was over 2 million dollars.

A congressman's salary becomes his retirement pension that can only go up with each COLA. And that covers his wife and himself until they both die. Medical care is free and costs him nothing even after he leaves office.

World travel for himself, family and friends is free paid for out of ambassadorial funds in whichever country he is visiting.

An allowance is given to each Congressman to pay for staff and other office expenses that exceeds the budget of over 90 percent of the businesses in the U.S.

The average congressman's annual pay is almost 10 times the average pay of his constituents. He is definitely over the poverty level. Pay raises for themselves that exceed most workers weekly salary are passed usually at midnight on a regular basis.

Most of them also are paid huge amounts to speak at various functions. In addition the prestige of being in the Congress brings a fortune in fees to their law firms. Lobbyists shower congressmen with gifts, travel, favors and outright bribes (called contributions). Money flows in from every direction. The biggest problem for most is how to explain how they got the swag.

Many congressmen are already rich. Many became rich in office. The key to great wealth is to win high elective office. That's why people spend many millions of dollars to win elections. Once in, their fortune is made -- and with no heavy lifting.
11 posted on 03/18/2006 5:54:56 AM PST by R.W.Ratikal
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To: Liz
Here's a link to a thread with more names...

List of Congress Members with Cars leased at Taypayers Expense

It could probably be shown by facts and figures that there is no distinctly native criminal class except Congress.

Mark Twain

12 posted on 03/18/2006 5:56:05 AM PST by mewzilla (Property must be secured or liberty cannot exist. John Adams)
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To: Liz

Brings an entirely new meaning to the VW tag line "Time to unpimp ze auto"...doesn't it?


13 posted on 03/18/2006 5:56:07 AM PST by RichInOC ("...Oh, schnapp!")
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To: Mo1

Since these are Critters, only two year leases, which is what makes them so exorbitant.


14 posted on 03/18/2006 5:56:55 AM PST by mewzilla (Property must be secured or liberty cannot exist. John Adams)
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To: Liz
Rep. Maurice Hinchey (D-Binghamton)

I met that guy once. Wanted a shower afterwards. He could sleep comfortably on a corkscrew.

15 posted on 03/18/2006 5:58:11 AM PST by mewzilla (Property must be secured or liberty cannot exist. John Adams)
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To: Mo1

The Highs and Lows
Most Expensive CarsCost Per Month
Rep. Mike Ross (D., Ark.): Ford Expedition$1,248.31
Rep. Howard P. McKeon (R., Calif.): Acura $1,231.51
Rep. Dennis A. Cardoza (D., Calif.): Chevrolet truck$1,227.17
Rep. John Sullivan (R., Okla.): Chevrolet$1,180.99
Rep. Bob W. Ney (R., Ohio): Lincoln$1,078.21
Rep. Gregory W. Meeks (D., N.Y.): Lexus$1,062.85
Rep. John Doolittle (R., Calif.): Toyota Highlander$1,073.73
Cheapest CarsCost Per Month
Rep. John R. Carter (R., Texas): Chevrolet Tahoe$210.65
Rep. Sue Wilkins Myrick (R., N.C.): Honda Accord$214.79
Rep. Anthony D. Weiner (D., N.Y.): Chevrolet Impala$219.00
Rep. Maurice D. Hinchey (D., N.Y.): Nissan Altima$256.74
Rep. Danny K. Davis (D., Ill.): Mercury$266.55


16 posted on 03/18/2006 5:58:25 AM PST by eddie2 (GO CATS)
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To: eddie2

And you know what else is funny about the list, especially when it comes to the Dems...No compacts.


17 posted on 03/18/2006 5:59:52 AM PST by mewzilla (Property must be secured or liberty cannot exist. John Adams)
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To: WorkingClassFilth
From your link:
If members and staff use their own cars on official business, the House reimburses them a maximum of 44.5 cents per mile.

Does any one know what the tax deduction is these days for the peons that use their own cars in their business. IIRC, it use to be $.09.

Critics agree that the practice can be a good deal for taxpayers when members lease efficient, inexpensive cars.

For example, Rep. Sue Myrick, R-N.C., leased a Honda Accord that cost less than $215 a month — and got good mileage to boot.

"She wanted something responsible with the taxpayers' dollars," said Andy Polk, Myrick's spokesman. "It's appropriate, and it gets the job done."

What would be appropriate, would be to pay for their own dam* cars with their taxpayer funded salaries.

18 posted on 03/18/2006 6:04:36 AM PST by Just A Nobody (NEVER AGAIN - Support our troops. I *LOVE* my attitude problem! Beware the Enemedia.)
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To: mewzilla

It could probably be shown by facts and figures that there is no distinctly native criminal class except Congress. Mark Twain.................'nuff said.


19 posted on 03/18/2006 6:14:49 AM PST by Liz (Liberty consists in having the power to do that which is permitted by the law. Cicero)
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To: Liz

Would it kill them to put a ceiling on how much the monthly lease can be? Seems to me $400/month would be more than generous.


20 posted on 03/18/2006 6:24:41 AM PST by nuconvert ([there's a lot of bad people in the pistachio business])
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