Is anyone really surprised that some of those “fiscally responsible” Tea Party Republicans elected in 2010 aren’t really so “fiscally responsible” now that they’ve been elected?
Though they campaigned on a platform of reducing the deficit and ridding wasteful spending, more than a half-dozen Tea Party congressmen have collectively spent over $100,000 in taxpayer money on personal vehicles.ThinkProgress examined spending records for the 112th Congress and found seven GOP freshmen — Reps. Chip Cravaack (R-MN), Sean Duffy (R-WI), Bill Flores (R-TX), Cory Gardner (R-CO), Bill Johnson (R-OH), Mike Pompeo (R-KS), and Steve Womack (R-AR) — who had spent an average of $15,000 on cars for themselves. All together, their taxpayer bill totaled $106,643.
Rep. Duffy spent $24,525.00 in taxpayer funds for his personal vehicle. While there’s absolutely nothing illegal about the practice of using taxpayer money to lease personal-use cars, the practice reeks of hypocrisy for Tea Party Republicans like Duffy who promised to “lead by example” when it comes to deficit reduction.
Great catch.
Do as I say, not as I do.
It’s his mobile office (see his congressional site). It’s Ford cargo van, not a Lexus Hybrid. Pants on Fire, but nice try.
Donkey lover, here’s a link to the site. http://duffy.house.gov/resources
Where is it?
The Wausau News includes a picture of the moblie office:
http://wsau.com/news/articles/2011/jul/05/duffy-launches-mobile-office/
That doesn’t look like a “personal vehicle” as noted by the piece I cited. That looks more like a mobile office, which would fall under a different category of expenditures. What we’re talking about here is a vehicle used for personal use, and I’m not sure Sean Duffy would use a minibus for personal use.
Politifact confirmed that the funds were in fact spend on the mobile office and not a personal vehicle. The claim to the contrary was awarded a “Pants on Fire” rating
http://www.politifact.com/wisconsin/statements/2012/jul/27/scott-keyes/gop-wisconsin-us-rep-sean-duffy-spent-tax-money/
super, how much did it cost?
Who paid for it?
super, do you and donkey lover work for Rep. Duffy?
Are either of you using tax payer resources to respond to this thread?
Casper,
Taking the article at face value, the cost was $24,525.00, which was paid by the tax payer. Perhaps that’s a lot, perhaps it saved the taxpayers money in avoiding the cost of of renting brick and mortar office space. I don’t know that answer do you?
super, he’s already got THREE offices: DC, Superior, and Wausau.
Since you didn’t respond, I’ll assume you do work for Rep. Duffy and you are blogging for him on the taxpayer’s dime under a pseudonym. Have you heard of Darlene Wink?
Ron Paul is right about Wall Street (except for the gold standard), the defense budget, foreign occupations, civil liberties, and torture.
Rick Santorum was right about “Make it in America.” The deficit that is killing us is our TRADE deficit. “The Fable of Moral Arithmetic” http://www.nakedcapitalism.com/2012/05/anonymous-the-fable-of-moral-arithmetic.html
Real conservatives, regardless of how much they might disapprove of abortion, do not want the GOVERNMENT compelling a woman to bear a child she doesn’t want. I understand that’s not a popular position in his district, but it’s the “conservative,” position.
I bought all of Reagan’s “trickle-down” shtick. Wish I had known then what I know now. We’ve been lowering the MARGINAL tax rates on the 1% since the Eisenhower administrations.
Top Marginal Tax rates 1916 – 2011
http://www.whereistheoutrage.net/wordpress/2012/03/08/marginal-tax-rates/
NOTHING ever “trickled down.” They just used those tax breaks to buy both parties and the media. Tell Rep. Duffy that REAL conservatives want MUCH higher taxes on the 1%.
Saw the photos on the link provided – they are about a year old and to date i have note heard any reports of this “mobile office” turning up in any of the small towns of WISC 7th District.
Sure looks like a very nice CAMPAIGN VAN. Hey, I think it’s great if he makes an effort to get to the outskirts of the District – as I recall Sen. Feingold did the same thing.
However, I do recall the somewhat correct objection from some when Tax Dollars were used for campaign efforts – in any form. Sure looks like a great vehicle to roll in a parade doesn’t it?