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House Speaker’s Military Travel Cost the United States Air Force $2,100,744.59 over a

Re: House Speaker’s Military Travel Cost the United States Air Force $2,100,744.59 ov

USA-1 said:
I guess to keep it in perspective we would need to know the travel expenses of previous Speakers of the House. Is it more or less.
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True. Also She lives in Cali, Hastert lived in Ill. I would expect a bit more for her to fly.
 
Re: House Speaker’s Military Travel Cost the United States Air Force $2,100,744.59 ov

liblady said:
what's the issue here? that taxpayers pay? haven't we always, regardless of who the speaker was?
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No the issue is
rabblerabble1251158120.jpg
. Seriously. There are more legitimate things to complain about.
 
Re: House Speaker’s Military Travel Cost the United States Air Force $2,100,744.59 ov

RightinNYC said:
You think that the Speaker of the House, someone who is 3rd in line for the presidency, should be flying coach on commercial airlines?

I don't mind a bit of populism now and then, but this is going way too far.

What do you think important political officials do on flights? Watch movies? Read skymall? No, they handle ****. They discuss policy, make phone calls, etc. - all things that could not be done if they were flying commercial.

While it's certainly hypocritical for them to call out CEOs while they're doing the same thing, the solution is not to force them both to fly coach - it's to let them both do what they need to do.
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what about the chairman of the armed services committee? Or the numerous sensitive officials within the executive? Should they get their own private jets too?

Being party to sensitive information also involves taking on the responsibility to keep it safe, not just any random special privilege. They deserve no special travel privilege because they are the speaker--if there is an absolute need that they work then they should do so in a secure area and travel later. Travel is not an integral part of the speaker's job.

Either way, the CEOs and the politicians can both spend there own money to travel however they see fit, I'd let 'em write-off the travel expenses on there taxes, but that's it.
 
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Re: House Speaker’s Military Travel Cost the United States Air Force $2,100,744.59 ov

I don't really have a problem with the House Speaker travelling at taxpayer expense (even on private planes)...but how the hell did she spend $2 million? Did she take a trip to Neptune? :confused:

I'm skeptical until I see how they calculated this.
 
Re: House Speaker’s Military Travel Cost the United States Air Force $2,100,744.59 ov

Kandahar said:
I don't really have a problem with the House Speaker travelling at taxpayer expense (even on private planes)...but how the hell did she spend $2 million? Did she take a trip to Neptune? :confused:

I'm skeptical until I see how they calculated this.
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Real easy... what do you think it costs to fly this, with crew... and booze.... and I'll bet she isn't eating the standard airline fare either.

TheQueen.jpg
 
Re: House Speaker’s Military Travel Cost the United States Air Force $2,100,744.59 ov

What I see is the same old mantra. Bush did, Republicans did it, and other speakers did it. That is not an excuse. They criticize CEO for having jets while using taxpayer bailout money. She is using tax payer money. She and other elected officials should lead by example and reduce expenditures. At +$100k for food and booze in 2 years is one hell of a perdiem rate. All politicians should know we are broke and every dollar spent is another dollar in the hole. I say vote them all out when they come up for reelection.
 
Re: House Speaker’s Military Travel Cost the United States Air Force $2,100,744.59 ov

Crunch said:
Real easy... what do you think it costs to fly this, with crew... and booze.... and I'll bet she isn't eating the standard airline fare either.
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I don't mind if she uses a jet at taxpayer expense, but I don't think it's too much to ask for congresspeople to pay for their own booze.
 
Re: House Speaker’s Military Travel Cost the United States Air Force $2,100,744.59 ov

RightinNYC said:
Use your head - do you think that there might be a reason to have **** like that on a plane that will be used for the Speaker of the House to travel and meet with various domestic and foreign dignitaries? What should she offer the British Commerce Secretary - a Keystone Light and a handle of Georgi?

This type of petty nitpicking is pointless.
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I find it frustrating that common folk are expected to provide the British Commerce Secretary with a high-end drink selection before he'll deign to discuss business with our representative. I mean, I'd have no problem if she offered me a beer. Maybe that's the problem...

I don't know. I just feel utterly detached from these people.
 
Re: House Speaker’s Military Travel Cost the United States Air Force $2,100,744.59 ov

other said:
It needs to stop. There is no legitimate reason she cannot fly commercial. And not in first class either. That goes for any government official other than the president, and he's only an exception because his job actually requires that he travel far and often--and he's a target.

If she wants to fly 1st class, she needs to pay out of her own dubiously earned salary like everyone else. Ditto if she wants a private jet.
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You don't know how government travel works, do you?
 
Re: House Speaker’s Military Travel Cost the United States Air Force $2,100,744.59 ov

American said:
You don't know how government travel works, do you?
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how's it work?
 
Re: House Speaker’s Military Travel Cost the United States Air Force $2,100,744.59 ov

other said:
how's it work?
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There certain rules by which gov employee must travel. There is a computerized travel reservation system, that provides the available choices for flights, rental cars and hotel within per diem allowances.
 
Re: House Speaker’s Military Travel Cost the United States Air Force $2,100,744.59 ov

American said:
There certain rules by which gov employee must travel. There is a computerized travel reservation system, that provides the available choices for flights, rental cars and hotel within per diem allowances.
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I overgeneralized. I didn't literally mean to say all gov't employees-- just those who obviously take advantage of it, mostly many of the congressmen.

I've been allotted travel pay and per diem pay before, but I had to take my own vehicle, travelling from maryland to maine for 2 weeks.
 
Re: House Speaker’s Military Travel Cost the United States Air Force $2,100,744.59 ov

mike2810 said:
What I see is the same old mantra. Bush did, Republicans did it, and other speakers did it.
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What I see is the same old Repub mantra. ignore the past when we did it and only focus on Dems.
 
Re: House Speaker’s Military Travel Cost the United States Air Force $2,100,744.59 ov

Ethereal said:
I find it frustrating that common folk are expected to provide the British Commerce Secretary with a high-end drink selection before he'll deign to discuss business with our representative. I mean, I'd have no problem if she offered me a beer. Maybe that's the problem...

I don't know. I just feel utterly detached from these people.
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.... Pelosi pays taxes too. So does every member of congress. You act like IRS agents came over to your house, took 50$ out of your pocket and paid for the drinks.
 
Re: House Speaker’s Military Travel Cost the United States Air Force $2,100,744.59 ov

RightinNYC said:
Compare those numbers to Hastert and get back to me. Oh, wait:



snopes.com: Nancy Pelosi's Jet



You think that the Speaker of the House, someone who is 3rd in line for the presidency, should be flying coach on commercial airlines?

I don't mind a bit of populism now and then, but this is going way too far.

What do you think important political officials do on flights? Watch movies? Read skymall? No, they handle ****. They discuss policy, make phone calls, etc. - all things that could not be done if they were flying commercial.

While it's certainly hypocritical for them to call out CEOs while they're doing the same thing, the solution is not to force them both to fly coach - it's to let them both do what they need to do.
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I wasn't talking about her USING military planes to fly around, it's the added "fluff" that is the issue here. Not the fact she used Military planes to get from point A to point B.


Also your link is for 2009. It's 2010. Care to provide a more recent comparison or would that perhaps be to... "partisan" a task for you?
 
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Re: House Speaker’s Military Travel Cost the United States Air Force $2,100,744.59 ov

Hatuey said:
.... Pelosi pays taxes too. So does every member of congress. You act like IRS agents came over to your house, took 50$ out of your pocket and paid for the drinks.
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Whatever, Hat. I'm just a regular guy at the end of the day. I'm not the type of person who feels offended when someone offers me a beer rather than a Grey Goose vodka. If that's the type of people our representatives are then maybe that's the problem. They're supposed to be servants of the people. Not glitzy aristocrats who jet-set here and there with their family in tow. Hell, my family hasn't been on a vacation in a LONG time. But Pelosi is powerful and has access to tax dollars, so it's okay if she and her family fly to exotic locales with delicious food and high-end drinks on the tax payer's dime...
 
Re: House Speaker’s Military Travel Cost the United States Air Force $2,100,744.59 ov

Ethereal said:
Whatever, Hat. I'm just a regular guy at the end of the day. I'm not the type of person who feels offended when someone offers me a beer rather than a Grey Goose vodka. If that's the type of people our representatives are then maybe that's the problem. They're supposed to be servants of the people. Not glitzy aristocrats who jet-set here and there with their family in tow. Hell, my family hasn't been on a vacation in a LONG time. But Pelosi is powerful and has access to tax dollars, so it's okay if she and her family fly to exotic locales with delicious food and high-end drinks on the tax payer's dime...
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Your idealism is commendable but it is just that. Idealism. People in high office get the luxury of having better things. It's been like that since Washington.
 
Re: House Speaker’s Military Travel Cost the United States Air Force $2,100,744.59 ov

Hatuey said:
Your idealism is commendable but it is just that. Idealism. People in high office get the luxury of having better things. It's been like that since Washington.
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Yea, except George Washington was a real American patriot who made real sacrifices on behalf of his country; the cold at Valley Forge didn't discriminate between the officers and the enlisted. No American would have begrudged him his high status because he earned it by the sweat of his own brow and the brilliance of his own intellect.

Nancy Pelosi, on the other hand, is just a San Fran elitist who jet-sets with her family to exotic locales, sipping high-balls and eating steak, all on the tax-payers' dime. Somehow, I don't see Jefferson or Washington as equivalent to this.

P.S. - You're a history buff. You know what the White House looked like when John Adams moved in with his wife?

...Pelosi would've asked to be put up in the Hyatt Regency...
 
Re: House Speaker’s Military Travel Cost the United States Air Force $2,100,744.59 ov

Ethereal said:
I find it frustrating that common folk are expected to provide the British Commerce Secretary with a high-end drink selection before he'll deign to discuss business with our representative. I mean, I'd have no problem if she offered me a beer. Maybe that's the problem...

I don't know. I just feel utterly detached from these people.
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That's alright.... they feel the same about you.
 
Re: House Speaker’s Military Travel Cost the United States Air Force $2,100,744.59 ov

Hatuey said:
.... Pelosi pays taxes too. So does every member of congress. You act like IRS agents came over to your house, took 50$ out of your pocket and paid for the drinks.
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Well duh..... they basically did just that.
 
Re: House Speaker’s Military Travel Cost the United States Air Force $2,100,744.59 ov

Ethereal said:
Yea, except George Washington was a real American patriot who made real sacrifices on behalf of his country; the cold at Valley Forge didn't discriminate between the officers and the enlisted.
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While the cold didn't discriminate between officers and the enlisted men, their housing and meals most certainly did.

Valley Forge FAQs

Q.Were the quarters and food the same for Generals and Privates?

A.The quarters and provisions for officers and privates were usually different. Officers would usually be quartered in better equipped facilities. Sometimes these differences could amount to the number of men quartered there. The huts at Valley Forge held up to 12 men. This would have been different for those at a higher rank — there would be fewer men and more space for officers. The Commander in Chief and his generals were housed in actual homes. These were the houses of various inhabitants of the area: warmer, certainly "homier" and with the "modern amenities" of the day. Food, or rations, would have been similar. Very often the army would all be eating the same thing, however your rank decided how many rations you received. A soldier was entitled to a single ration (equalling three meals). Officers were authorized extra.
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Nancy Pelosi, on the other hand, is just a San Fran elitist who jet-sets with her family to exotic locales, sipping high-balls and eating steak, all on the tax-payers' dime. Somehow, I don't see Jefferson or Washington as equivalent to this.
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I don't imagine Washington was eating steak while his men ate gruel, but there is no question that he took the best housing and had more (and sometimes better) things to eat than his troops. As is proper and expected.
 
Re: House Speaker’s Military Travel Cost the United States Air Force $2,100,744.59 ov

Glinda said:
While the cold didn't discriminate between officers and the enlisted men, their housing and meals most certainly did.





I don't imagine Washington was eating steak while his men ate gruel, but there is no question that he took the best housing and had more (and sometimes better) things to eat than his troops. As is proper and expected.
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That's the way it's always been in the military. I was on the bad end of that deal more times than I care to remember, but it's still a far cry from the disparity we see with Pelosi's jet-setting and luxury.

She's an ivory-tower aristocrat. No getting past it...
 
Re: House Speaker’s Military Travel Cost the United States Air Force $2,100,744.59 ov

liblady said:
what's the issue here? that taxpayers pay? haven't we always, regardless of who the speaker was?
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I'd say that our Senators and Representatives ought to fly commercial just like the rest of the unwashed.
 
Re: House Speaker’s Military Travel Cost the United States Air Force $2,100,744.59 ov

The_Penguin said:
I'd say that our Senators and Representatives ought to fly commercial just like the rest of the unwashed.
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In this day and age do you realize the security problems that would cause?
 
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