Hastert Disappears for Political Fundraiser

[ShockediSay]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/09/02/AR2005090202156.html

Hastert again tried to smooth things over. Shortly after a small number of House members unanimously approved the $10.5 billion relief plan at about 1 p.m., he issued a statement saying, "Our prayers and sympathies continue to be with the victims of Hurricane Katrina. In times like these, it is more important than ever for Americans to stand united in helping our fellow citizens."

But there was one problem: Hastert was not in Washington, and his top lieutenants had to oversee the vote. He was in Indiana attending a colleague's fundraiser....




Now I ask you? Isn't it time we demanded of our elected federal representatives (who get better medical insurance coverage than I've ever seen) their full time service. I mean who are they supposed to be working for anyway. If they are supposed to be representing the American people, why should they spending our time at these Big Bucks Bashes for Bribes and Bagmen? I see this as a breach of a fiduciary duty (conflict of interest/serving two masters).

[lala_rawraw]

1. Oh, with Turkish friends?

[Carla in Ca]

2. This was his priority today...

Courtesy of Salon's War Room:



Where's Denny?
We assumed, as we were writing earlier today, that Republican House Speaker Dennis Hastert would be in Washington as the House took up George W. Bush's request for $10.5 billion in emergency relief funding for the victims of Hurricane Katrina.

We were wrong. Hastert, who questioned earlier this week whether it would "make sense" for the federal government to spend money rebuilding New Orleans, was back in his home district today, where he announced that the federal government is going to provide $1.84 million to build a road extension in the village of Annawan, Ill. "Illinois," he said, "is finally getting their fair share."