We all know about the crooked, defense-contract shenanigans of Rep. Murtha from Pennsylvania and his deserted, tax-payer funded airport. But how about this Rep. Neil Abercrombie fellow who recently won the coveted porker of the month from Citizens Against Government Waste (I’m sure you already figured out his party affiliation). Apparently, the congressman is legislating that the construction for the new Marine base(s) in Guam be paid at exorbitant wages to friendly unions/companies that paid for his previous campaigns. The CBO estimates it will add another $10B to the cost, but hey what’s another billion here and there in a crippling recession. The congressman isn’t just robbing the taxpayers to pay for his 2010 governor’s race in Hawaii, he’s bragging about it. From Breitbart:
His critics say Abercrombie is trying to win the 2010 race for governor at Guam’s expense. They’re worried that ramped-up wages—tripling pay for bricklayers, for example—would lead to a roller-coaster economy with high inflation and a plummet once construction ends in 2014. They also worry the relocation might be scuttled altogether if he gets his way.
“He is obviously playing to the major portion of his constituency, labor union members, in order to win that election,” said John Robertson, a director with the Guam Contractors Association.
Abercrombie’s response? “Duh.”
“Of course I’m playing to working people. The building trades and working people have been the foundation of my political career for 36 years,” he said. “If I didn’t do this, people would say, ‘What’s wrong with him?'”
I was once marooned in Guam for the better part of a month since some equipment in the engine room on our boat was busted. Very nice folks on the island, but, man, it is really small. It took us about half-an-hour to drive from one side to the other in the Ford Escort we rented, and that’s after we were delayed by a water buffalo standing in the road. It may be important that the Marines relocate from Okinawa in Japan to Guam, but why does a congressman from thousands of miles of way feel like he can turn the place into his own pig pen. Anyone else tired of defense contracts being dictated by political priorities in Washington as opposed to national security priorities?
We visited Guam last fall on the way home from the Philippines. You’re right, it is small especially when a big chunk is taken by Andersen AF Base and the Naval Station but it is a nice place. I think the Marines will enjoy being there.
There is one other little quirk engineered by Hawaii politicians. We flew from the Philippines to Guam and went through customs since Guam is American territory. Then we flew from Guam to Hawaii and had to go through customs again. We were told this policy was put in place to provide more jobs in Hawaii.
So apparently if you go to Guam from Hawaii and then return to Hawaii, passage through customs in necessary even though you never left the country. One more example of government efficiency and wise use of taxpayer money.
Maybe the Obama administration should hire some of Pelosi’s workers from American Samoa pay $3.26 an hour — nearly $4 less than the $7.25 minimum wage. StarKist Tuna, one of two companies that employs about 75 percent of the Samoan work force, is owned by Del Monte, which is headquartered in Mrs. Pelosi’s San Francisco district.
Nixon, this is so the dems can have hearings on cost over-runs in the defense budget, later on down the road. And Mr. Abercrombie, you claim to be “playing to working people” in your statement. What happened to lowest bidder, or getting the taxpayers the most bang for their tax buck?
Nixon–sorry to hear about your woes in Give-Up-And-Masturbate. As for myself, I did five Westpacs (Guam is one of the submarine upkeep ports, along with Yokosuka), and a radcon tour on the Proteus-Holland. 2 years, 17 days, 11 hours, 24 mintues, not that I was counting or anything. On an island whose economy depends so heavily upon 1–the military, 2–tourism (Japanese), and yet craps so heavily on both, I’m finding it harder and harder to even care, except when OUR tax dollars are going to buy votes in a district this assclown doesn’t even represent. Guam, as a territory, has a non-voting member of the House. What the heck, right?
NHSparky,
Haha, it’s been awhile since I’ve heard that term for Guam. I was really junior at the time (only onboard like 2 months) and was qualifying EDO. I think it was where I learned how to stand a full duty day after only getting a few hours sleep from partying too hard.
Nixon,
Partying too hard, eh? You would’ve loved Rota.. 🙂
AW1,
I was just a West Coast sailor, never got to see hot European babes flashin their tits to passing Navy ships in the Med. Maybe in the next life.
Nixon,
There are few women in this world as beautiful as the Spanish women. At least, to the eyes of a young airdale with a large disposable income 🙂
Nixon–party hard? Guam? Lightweight. Stand a full duty day after pulling an all-nighter in the PI. THEN we’ll talk…=)
NHSparky said: pulling an all-nighter in the PI.
Stood Shore Patrol on base one night – next night brought to the Quarter Deck BY Olongapo the Shore Patrol. Can we talk?
BTW: When I was on Guam (1969) there was still one Japanese hold out! They found him in ’72.
Ponsdorf–ah, Shit River. Good times. Right up to the point Pinatubo blew up. No self-respecting submariner would spend any more time than necessary on Magsaysay, instead fortifying one’s self at Via’s with tacos and lumpia before catching a “special” jeepney out to Bo. Barretto to spend their money at the submariner bars like Island Girls or Midnight Rambler. I don’t think I could handle that level of hangover anymore.