Americans scrimp while Congress travels, gives staff bonuses

[proud2BlibKansan]

U.S. Rep. Allen West traveled to Israel in August and brought his wife on an 8-day trip paid for by a pro-Israeli group. (Courtesy of U.S. Rep. Allen West / September 17, 2011)

The nation's flailing economy and daunting unemployment haven't kept some members of Congress from enjoying the perks of office, from handing out bonuses to their staff to taking all-expense paid trips abroad.

South Florida U.S. Reps. Allen West and Frederica Wilson were among 81 members of the House of Representatives who traveled to Israel in August, flying business class and staying in luxury hotels for a week of meetings and sightseeing paid for by the charitable arm of a pro-Israel lobby.

In June, Wilson spent two days at a beachfront resort in the Bahamas, courtesy of the Bethune-Cookman University alumni association.

Democrat Wilson, who represents part of Broward, went to Nassau to accept an award from the university president and met with Bahamian officials while there, and the trip to Israel was "far from a vacation,'' said spokesman Mahen Gunaratna. It "included a rigorous itinerary, including high-level meetings'' with Middle Eastern leaders.

West, a Plantation Republican, said the security of Israel "is an important issue to me, as well as many of my constituents.''

more . . . http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/broward/fll-congress-spending-travel-20110917,0,703822.story

[midnight]

1. Would love to know how much that has cost the folks they demand eat peas....

[proud2BlibKansan]

3. If West would stay in Israel, I wouldn't care how much it cost to get him there

:evilgrin:

[sethgrogen]

5. we goota eat our peas while they're eating our peas.

[Historic NY]

2. Not to mention we pay for their free franked mailings..by the Post Office.

[RKP5637]

4. I guess the 12%'ers need R&R so they can come back and do a better job. This

congress is disgusting. Sure, there are some good ones, but when one looks at the net/net, it should be nearer 1% approval.

[usregimechange]

6. It's ok, Scalia tells them all those gifts are really free speech.

[proud2BlibKansan]

8. LOL!

:rofl:

[MADem]

7. The summer CODELS to Europe and Asia (with mandatory Hong Kong stop) are legend.

And the DEMANDS of some of those bastards are pretty presumptuous--everything from onion bagels and cream cheese to "microbrewery beer" and single malt scotch.

No, not making any of this up--I've got up close and personal experience with this kind of adventure.

Right before they have to print up their campaign brochures during run-ups to reelection, they race over to the 'Stan, slap on body armor and a helmet, and get their pic taken with reservists from their state in dusty terrain next to armored vehicles. But in the off years? Hell, they're going to the resort-ish or shopping locales.