COMMENTS:
Who does Obama think he is, Robin Hood?
He doesn't have to be. He is privileged as are all politicians. They are held to a vaulted standard and treated as Royals. They admit that they don't read bills before voting on them, proving that they don't answer to their constituents and they know so. Even some liberals and Democrats (the "little people") would vomit if they knew how much they spend on Nancy Pelosi's personal 200-seat jet so she can go home every week.
Why do you think these mentioned people would be exempt ? Do you know why the Speaker of the House has that Airplane ? There seems to be a lack of balance in where you get your facts and figures, I won't waste time listing rich Republicans, but they would all have to pay their share the same as I do. When the tax cuts for the rich kicked in, who do you think made for the shortfall in revenue ???
Thank you, thesoothsayer, for your liberal stance.
If the Speaker of The House were Republican and flying back and forth to California every weekend in a 209-seat (private) jet, you'd be screaming to high holy hell.
When I submitted this ballot, I hoped some of you would counter with real thoughts, not just your palliatives to remain in LCD's favor. Sounds almost like pimp and prostitute. It's like those creeps in Washington DC (both sides of the aisle!) who will not disagree with Obama because they either love him (kiss, kiss) to the point of being blinded or else they fear him (Obama could take away their plum committee positions, et c). But they do forget that ultimately, THE VOTERS will be the deciders.
"If the Speaker of The House were Republican and flying back and forth to California every weekend in a 209-seat (private) jet, you'd be screaming to high holy hell."
Not me. Democrats will not in that position indefinitely, and whoever is will have access to that airplane, seeing how they will be third in line to the Presidency... more on the Plane...
(from CNN)
Story Highlights• House sergeant at arms says he requested plane for Pelosi
• Pelosi accused of asking for more expensive plane than her predecessor's
• Pelosi is striking back against claims
• "I think this is much ado about not a whole lot," says White House spokesman
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WASHINGTON (CNN) -- House Speaker Nancy Pelosi did not request a larger plane for personal use to travel cross-country without stopping, Bill Livingood, the House sergeant at arms, said Thursday.
Livingood said the request was his, and he made it for security reasons.
"The fact that Speaker Pelosi lives in California compelled me to request an aircraft that is capable of making non-stop flights for security purposes, unless such an aircraft is unavailable," Livingood, who has been at his post for 11 years, said in a written statement.
"I regret that an issue that is exclusively considered and decided in a security context has evolved into a political issue," the statement said.
Pelosi is striking back against accusations she asked for a plane larger and more expensive than the one used by former House Speaker Dennis Hastert, a claim published last week in The Washington Times.(Watch Pelosi call the GOP charges "a myth" )
The Times article, headlined "Pelosi's Power Trip -- Non-stop Nancy Seeks Flight of Fancy," led the Republican National Committee to send out a research briefing and blast Pelosi on the House floor.
The article said Pelosi asked the Pentagon for "routine access" to a military plane "not only for herself and her staff, but also for relatives and for other members of the California delegation," quoting sources "familiar with the discussions."
"I have never asked for a larger plane," Pelosi said. "This is a myth that they are talking about on the floor."
The White House also stood behind Pelosi.
"As speaker of the House, she is entitled to military transport and ... the proper arrangements are being made between the Sergeant of Arms Office in the House of Representatives and the U.S. Department of Defense," White House spokesman Tony Snow said.
"We think it's appropriate," he added. "And so, again, I think this is much ado about not a whole lot. It is important for the speaker to have this kind of protection and travel."
On Wednesday, the Pentagon sent a letter to Pelosi's office with guidance about travel regulations. The letter said the military would make "every effort" to provide a non-stop flight to Pelosi's home district, but "such support is subject to aircraft type and availability and therefore may not always be guaranteed." (Read the Pentagon's letter to Speaker Pelosi -- PDF)
Pelosi's family would have to reimburse the Air Force if they used the aircraft, the letter stated.
Meanwhile, Rep. John Murtha, D-Pennsylvania, chairman of the House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, said on Thursday that he's planning hearings this spring on executive and congressional travel on military aircraft.
Murtha said he's requested from the Defense Department records on travel and logistics from the past two years. He asked the Defense Department to hand those over within a month.
Some House Republicans on Thursday were pressing for an amendment on the floor on Pelosi's use of a military plane, according to Murtha.
Murtha predicted that Pelosi would end up getting a plane that would be able to fly across country without stopping to refuel.
"I'm seldom wrong on these kinds of predictions," he said.
Thanks, the soothsayer. My "rant" was meant for many other cavalier uses of tax payer monies for both sides of the aisle.
We are grateful that the 8 top-of-the-line jets planned for purchase of $550 million right now while we are so strapped for money. It can and should be done.
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