Rep John Fleming (R - land of teensy violins and weeping angels) needs our help,

[kestrel91316]

all you kindhearted souls out there. His poor family - well, actually just he and his wifey because his children are in fact all grown and living on their own - are struggling to survive on a mere $200k a year FOOD BUDGET.

I don't know about you, but I have not one spare nickel anywhere in my paltry personal budget this time of year (nor any other time for that matter since the RW's War against the Middle Class began) - but I feel that, well, it's MAH CHRISTIAN DUTY to help those poor dears out in some way. We ALL should.

So here's what I propose: we need to shower that poor man with our love by showering him with helpful hints, tips, and recipes so that he and his poor little wifey can have a better chance of surviving the cold Louisiana winter without starving on their $547.95/PER DAY ($684.93 if their budget is the also stated $250k/year)food budget.

Email your suggestions to him here, or better yet call his office and tell his staff how very much you'd like to help prevent one of America's finest businessmen from succumbing to kwashiorkor.

http://fleming.house.gov/

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. ROFLMAO!

:nopity: :nopity: :nopity: :nopity:

[kestrel91316]

2. I also suggest mailing him care packages with such necessities as Spam,

dried beans, and boxed macaroni and cheese (Kraft, please - nothing but the best for that fine man).

[kestrel91316]

3. My email to Rep. Fleming:

Dear Rep. Fleming:
I have just been made aware of your family's dire financial condition - specifically the fact that you and your lovely wife are struggling to get by on an annual food budget of $200-250k.
As a god-fearing Christian lady, I simply cannot stand to hear of such hardship, and I weep for you two dear people.
I have decades of experience struggling to make ends meet on my own paltry budget, so I sympathize greatly with you, and felt I just had to respond with a love offering.
I have prepared a food care package for you and Mrs. Fleming, and will be mailing it to you at your Baton Rouge office if that meets with your approval. I have taken the liberty to include such treats as Spam, Kraft boxed macaroni and cheese, and a twelve-pack of Hostess Ding-Dongs. Oh, and I included a jar of my very own homemade pickled pig snout.
Fondly,
Mrs. Lydia Pinkham

[Ineeda]

12. Here's mine

Dear Representative Fleming,
I read of your financial dilemma on the computer in my public library. I'm so sorry you are struggling to endure the hardship of your "after I feed my family" remaining paltry $400,000. I can't imagine how you manage.

But I can relate. Really, I can. I, too, have to tighten my belt in these hard times. I'm sure if I just make more of an effort, I can stretch my $14,000 annual income to have a little bit left over, just like you do, after I feed my own family. I realize the scale is slightly different, my total annual income being only 3.5% of your 'leftovers', but that's neither here nor there. A budget is a budget, you know? So, I'm thinking two hundred thousand dollars seems high for a grocery bill. That's $3846.15 a month, give or take. I realize this might include caviar and champagne, and maybe filet mignon and lobster, but still, you have to admit that's high.

A couple of little tips might help in your budgeting: buy off-brands; forgo meat of any kind -- this includes chicken; learn portion control (no second helpings); teach your family that one or two meals a day are probably enough (Trust me. This might take some discipline as families tend to whine when they're hungry); and, of course, use coupons. I'm enclosing a few to get you started. Good luck.

[emsimon33]

4. Ramen Noodles--the really cheap ones

That's what too many families in this country are living on. Spam and mac and cheese--that's a holiday meal!

[Raine]

5. A few helpful suggestions for Fleming on cutting down on his food bills... 99¢ Store, Big Lots,

Dollar Tree all have food. If you want some top shelf stuff from the super market start couponing. :think:

[KharmaTrain]

6. He Said $600k In "Family Expenses"...

The 200k is more like the moron congresscritter from Wisconsin who was bellyaching about his 175k a year house salary. This shitstain claimed he keeps 400k a year...which I'm sure is invested into money funds that return him a nice extra chunk of change that is taxed at 15%. Oh, and lets not forget all the depreciations and losses I'm sure he took so that he probably got money back from the government rather than actually paid in. The poor slimeball...

[kestrel91316]

11. He said, after feeding his family, that $600k was only $400k.

Sounds to me like it costs him $200k to feed himself and wifey. For a mere year.

[KharmaTrain]

13. A Bit Of Math...

Even at 200k a year...that's 17.5k a month. I know of people who don't earn that in a year and they make do. I saw the interview and sadly know people like him...totally self absorbed and not only unaware of the plight of others but totally uncaring. They've got theirs and that's all that matters.

[Fumesucker]

7. To be perfectly fair.. Meat from endangered species is more than a bit pricey.. n/t

[hunter]

14. And if you want real Italian food...

... you have to go to Italy.

[Are_grits_groceries]

8. Send him some cans of

Vienna sausages. I'm from the South, and I think the LA congress critter would understand that more than Ramen Noodles. He probably thinks those are part of a communis' plot.

[Vinca]

9. I think "Spam" is more appropriate.

Poor things. I know I can't get by on less than $600 a day.:banghead:

[Are_grits_groceries]

10. Head cheese would be appropriate. nt

[Hell Hath No Fury]

15. My contribution -

I am so sorry to hear about financial challenges you and your family are facing. In this bad economy I can totally relate. I would like to share a few tips I've picked up living on less than 20k a year while supporting an elderly mother:

1) Roommates. Getting a few college students in to share your house can help you pay your mortgage.

2) Couch cushions. Never underestimate the amount of cash lurking in your furniture. My couch cushions have saved me on more than one occassion -- $1.10 will buy you a nice Taco Bell tostada for dinner.

3) Find a bar or restaurant that has a good Happy Hour. Splurge on a beer and then graze from the hors d'oeuvres bar. This is a great way to fill up on the cheap.

4) Thrift shops are a fantastic place to get your clothing cheaply. Be sure to really look at each piece carefully for stains, holes, or missing buttons/broken zippers.

5) Garage sales. If things are really dire and you have a big bill coming up (like property taxes) go through the belongings you purchased during more prosperous time and weed out the items you can do without. Craig's List has free postings for garage sales, so that will help you save some money on flyers.

Those are just some of the things that have helped me get by the last many years, I hope they will help your family too!

Sincerely,
Hell Hath No Fury

[FSogol]

16. Everyone send him your unneeded coupons. n/t