May 9, 2012

Presidential Perks: Paying for Carter’s postage, Bush’s bills, and Clinton’s rent

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/power-players-abc-news/presidential-perks-paying-carter-postage-bush-bills-clinton-100551264.html





It's a little-noticed part of the federal budget: Each year U.S. taxpayers pick up the tab for the expenses of our former Presidents. For the likes of Carter, Clinton and Bush that means free rent, postage, phone and office staff — all courtesy of the U.S. taxpayer.

In 2010, taxpayer-financed expenses included $15,000 for Jimmy Carter's postage, $579,000 for Bill Clinton's rent and a whopping $80,000 for George W. Bush's phone bills. It adds up: All told, U.S. taxpayers were on the hook for more than $3 million of expenses for the four surviving former U.S. presidents.

They certainly don't seem to need the money. These days being a former U.S. President is a lucrative business. After all, Bill Clinton raked in more than $10 million just in speaking fees last year. George W. Bush made even more: $15 million just for giving speeches.

This entitlement for the very rich was put in place when at least one former president wasn't rich. Congress created this presidential entitlement in 1958 because Harry Truman couldn't afford to pay his bills.


more: http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/power-players-abc-news/presidential-perks-paying-carter-postage-bush-bills-clinton-100551264.html

The rich just want more and more..................

May 6, 2012

Question: Too big is bad??

We hear all the time that government has gotten too big and controls our lives.
How can republicans do not say the same thing about corporations that have gotten too big and have gotten too big and controls our lives??

I would think that things that have gotten too big to do the job should apply to all things.

Just another disconnect with the republican brain

May 1, 2012

Just heard on the radio

President Obama in Afghanistan