Are you feeling just a little too happy today? Do yo need a reason to be angry? Well then just shoot over to Big Dog’s Weblog who links to a WCBSTV article on Congress members who abuse their taxpayer-funded leased vehicles;
It seems there is a loophole that allows them to lease vehicles at the expense of taxpayers and there appears to be no limit as to how much they spend on the lease. Taxpayers also foot the bill for registration, insurance and the GAS. No wonder these chowder heads are not concerned about the price of gasoline. It is not bad enough we have to pay a fortune to fill our vehicles but we also pay to fill theirs.
Charlie Rangel of New York drives a Cadillac DeVille, and taxpayers are charged $774 per month ($9288 a year) to cover the lease.
Then there was Congressman Jose Serrano, getting out of his Buick LaCrosse, which he leases for $317 per month. And how about this one: Congressman Gregory Meeks was recently seen waiting for Congressman John Conyers to step out of Meeks’ Lexus LS460, which Meeks leases for $998 per month.
Big Dog points out that Rangel is always calling for tax hikes, it must be because he needs spinners for his DeVille.
My wife owns a Chevy Cobalt (35 mpg and we paid cash – lease is for suckers) and I use a BMW (that stands for Bike, Metro and Walking, not the Bavarian Motor Works) and we pay over $250/week in taxes. Now I know why; so Rangel can cruise Southeast DC in pimped-out, airconditioned luxury. No wonder they think they’re better than us.
From the article cited:
“Rangel: “I could probably find something for … one of those red cars and then I think my constituents would say, ‘With all the money that he gets, this is the respect he shows us?'”
………..
“When I’m in New York, my car is my office. I use it to conduct Congressional business. It really pleases me that (my constituents) appreciate driving in a comfortable car, especially the senior citizens,” Rangel said.
“The car isn’t just a vehicle for getting around; it’s an important part of doing my job and my constituents appreciate it.”
Kinda like it makes the congregation feel good when the Rev retires to a 10,000 SF home on their dime.
Doesn’t want to do it but he FORCES himself so they will feel good.