That's right, you would be pretty pissed, especially at these tough budget times. Democrats certainly wouldn't be happy, and I can just hear the Republicans now, calling for Gov. Kaine's impeachment, tar and feathering or whatever.
Of course, Tim Kaine has not done any such things. But another state's governor has, and her name is Sarah Palin.
First, the clothes:
The Republican National Committee has spent more than $150,000 to clothe and accessorize vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin and her family since her surprise pick by John McCain in late August.According to financial disclosure records, the accessorizing began in early September and included bills from Saks Fifth Avenue in St. Louis and New York for a combined $49,425.74.
The records also document a couple of big-time shopping trips to Neiman Marcus in Minneapolis, including one $75,062.63 spree in early September.
The RNC also spent $4,716.49 on hair and makeup through September after reporting no such costs in August.
Around $150,000 on clothes in one months? That's equivalen to "what the average American household spends on clothes in 50 years 80 years." Livin' large! And how about that $4,716 on hair and makeup? Imagine if a Democrat, let's say John Edwards, got a $400 haircut (or, in Palin's case, who knows...a $4,000 haircut?). Right, there would be a feeding frenzy on the right-wing blogs and in the corporate media. But if Sarah Palin does it? [sound of crickets chirping...chirp, chirp, chirp]
Second, the travel:
Gov. Sarah Palin charged the state for her children to travel with her, including to events where they were not invited, and later amended expense reports to specify that they were on official business.The charges included costs for hotel and commercial flights for three daughters to join Palin to watch their father in a snowmobile race, and a trip to New York, where the governor attended a five-hour conference and stayed with 17-year-old Bristol for five days and four nights in a luxury hotel.
In all, Palin has charged the state $21,012 for her three daughters' 64 one-way and 12 round-trip commercial flights since she took office in December 2006. In some other cases, she has charged the state for hotel rooms for the girls.
Pretty sweet deal, that governor of Alaska (and VP nominee) gig, huh? I mean, you get to take your family on "official travel" out of state, where you can stay at luxury hotels at the expense of Alaska taxpayers? Talk about being a "reformer." Hahahahaha. And talk about "sharing the wealth!" Ah, irony. So, where are the Republicans screaming bloody murder? Heck, what about "Joe the Plumber" (or "Phil the Bricklayer," "Rose the Teacher" or "Kelly the Candlestick Maker"); he can't possibly be happy about this, right? Heh.
Gee, Alaskans must be really ready to get rid of her.
But absolutely have at it on the clothing thing. That's an amazing way to show she's out of touch.
Also, can we refrain from calling any woman professional a "chick"? It is disrespectful.
Children as a business expense? Must fall under the "props" category. Come on November 4. Back to the calls, the canvassing. etc.
I wonder whether Todd had his wardrobe upgraded when Sarah went on her shopping spree.
I hope Alaskans prosecute the hell out of her.
As far as Palin using the travel budget of her public office in Alaska as her family's personal slush-fund, that should be up to the people of Alaska to figure out if using the power of the Governor's office to settle vendettas and misuse of public money to finance family field trips is worthy of removing her from her office. Sarah Palin, the Marie Antoinette of The Last Frontier.
No word yet on whether he plastered it on like a trollop.
But Democrats are elitists!
GOVERNOR KAINE CUTS $1.4 MILLION
FROM OFFICE BUDGET
~Cuts now total 13.4%; Residence budget reduced by 10% ~RICHMOND - Governor Timothy M. Kaine today announced staff reductions and other spending cuts to the Executive office budget, including the Cabinet. The cuts total more than $900,000 for the remainder of fiscal year 2009 and increase to $1.4 million on an annual basis - or 10% - in fiscal year 2010. Combined with reductions made in October of 2007 and February of 2008, including a 5% reduction in the Governor's salary, budget cuts to the Governor's office budget now amount to more than $1.9 million annually. The resulting reductions in the personal residence budget total 10%.
Last month, the Governor ordered his staff to scrub the budget for his office and the Governor's Mansion for items to eliminate. The directive was clear: No item was too small to cut.
"If Virginia families and businesses have to make difficult spending decisions in tough times, we need to show them we're doing the same," Governor Kaine said. "Taxpayers trust us to run a lean government. All these cuts - big and small - add up, and they all count."
Governor Kaine reduced his office's spending by more than $667,000 during budget cuts in October 2007 and February 2008. Those cuts included reducing the Governor's salary by 5%, delayed salary increases for his staff, and elimination of six positions. After one-time savings are removed, the total annualized reduction was $480,000. After Workforce Transition Act expenses are cleared, the Governor will have reduced spending in his office and the Cabinet by 13.4% since taking office.
The cuts announced today include:
· Elimination of 8 positions through layoffs and turnover
· Trimming almost 25% off the grocery bill for official events at the residence
· Reductions in travel for state business by the Governor and First Lady
· Reductions in staff cell phone costs, newspapers subscriptions and travel
· Ending purchase of bottled water
· Sending more invitations to functions by email instead of by U.S. mail
· Cutting dry cleaning bills for linens used at official events at the residence
The Governor will announce his revenue reforecast and statewide spending reductions for fiscal year 2009 tomorrow.
I'm guessing that Fox News-RNC treated him very well over the weekend.
I'm pretty sure that Barack and Michelle Obama and the Bidens pay out money for looking well too. So do most people at their level who are in the public view as part of their careers. But they should be paying for personal grooming themselves.
That's the only real issue. Whether it's a man or woman, they should be paying for their own grooming and for their families' travel. End of story.
This isn't tax dollars. Fortunately I've sent narry a dollar to Republicans. If I were a Republican donor, I'd be pissed.
The only reason I am pissed is that this is being ignored by Republicans and FAUX news who would trounce on Democrats by much less.
Let's just say I buy 4 $1000 suits a year (and I won't) it would take me nearly 19 years to rack up Palin's Neiman Marcus bill.
I don't believe that I will spend that much money on clothing over the remaining years of my life. I'm upper middle class, and I find this just astonishing.
I would have to try very very hard - it would be like a full time job - to spend that much. I could change clothes every hour - and throw them all away.