Politico: House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) said Wednesday he intends to take commercial flights home when he moves up to speaker in the new Congress.
“Over the last 20 years, I have flown back and forth to my district on commercial aircraft, and I am going to continue to do that,” he told reporters.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a Democrat, took heat in 2007 when she started flying an Air Force jet that could go nonstop back to her congressional district in California.This is a nice gesture on Boehner’s part that will go a long way in help to repair the image of Republicans. However, it is just that a gesture. If Republicans want another wave in 2012, bigger fiscally conservative moves will be needed.
If Democrats decide to keep Pelosi, Boehner should publish the cost of his first flight and compare it to what Nancy wasted on one of her Air Pelosi flights. It will serve as a nice reminder why Democrats needed to be shown the door.
Via: Memeorandum
Via: Politico
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12 comments:
I am actually surprised that they are allowing him to fly commerical due to the security he is going to have once he becomes speaker.
Like you said it is only a gesture, but I like it anyway.
It's a good start. You can't drain the swamp without a bucket. Pelosi is an arrogrant, lifelong politician with an enhanced sense of entitlement. She'd be the biggest disgrace in Congress if it weren't for Maxine Waters, Barbara Lee, Barney Frank, Chris Dodd, Alcee Hastings, Dennis Kucinich, Charlie Rangel, Bernie Sanders, Alan Grayson...OK, maybe Pelosi isn't so bad.
Allen West was on Red Eye tonight. When asked how the racist Tea Party could support him, he said he just has a really good suntan. I really like this guy. He's like Alan Grayson, except he's civil, smart, sane, handsome, and a patriot. Oh, and he spells his name correctly.
Judicial Watch has shown that Pelosi spent $2.1 million using Air Force jets in just 2 years, plus $1,000 a week on in-flight food and booze.
Although I am glad to hear this small step is being taken I have to say I am concerned about this guy. I get the distinct feeling that he is a career politician not a public servant. All I can see is a power trip every time he gets behind a mic.
The entire Congress could save us all even MORE money by staying their asses in their home districts and teleconferencing. The technology is there, so why don't they use it?
Then, they'd have no excuse not to have even MORE House districts, to cover closer to the 30,000 mentioned in COTUS instead of the 700,000+ they represent now. Just imagine the gridlock if we had 3000+ House members! Talk about a way to make every vote count!
JACG:
Given how much it cost for military flights, Boehner can be given an armed bodyguard on each flight and it would still be cheaper.
Nick Rowe:
He's like Alan Grayson, except he's civil, smart, sane, handsome, and a patriot.
Grayson was a kook who said outlandish things just to court the nutroots. Well he can no court them from the unemployment line. Thank you Florida!
Quite Rightly:
You can get a heck of a lot of commercial flights for $2.1 million dollars. Heck, Boehner can fly daily and won't come close to that.
Anonymous:
To be honest I have my doubts about the whole GOP leadership. They seem to have the words down pat, but can they follow through on the action?
When the Democrats start playing hardball, will these guys fold like lawn chairs?
Angie Lee:
Personally, I would like to see this GOP congress permanently cut down on all of Congress' perks. The free parking, the free gym, free meals, extra staffers, all of it.
Then I wish they would take a page from Alaska and only meet for 90 days out of the year. We don't need them there everyday concocting expensive legislation.
I salute Boehner for this. I heard this morning that it cost $28,000 every time Nancy flew...talk about abuse of power and all of us taxpayers.
"fly commerical due to the security"
He's just another American citizen. If commercial flights aren't secure enough for him, they aren't secure enough for any of us to fly.
We had a little dispute with England about treating one man like he was superior than other men.
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