View Full Version : Gov wants new Jets now???
Scarab KV
08-09-2009, 04:38 PM
Go figure
Why aren't these clowns flying commercial? :cuss:
WASHINGTON -- Congress plans to spend $550 million to buy eight jets, a substantial upgrade to the fleet used by federal officials at a time when lawmakers have criticized the use of corporate jets by companies receiving taxpayer funds.
The purchases will help accommodate growing travel demand by congressional officials. The planes augment a fleet of about two dozen passenger jets maintained by the Air Force for lawmakers, administration officials and military chiefs to fly on government trips in the U.S. and abroad.
The congressional shopping list goes beyond what the Air Force had initially requested as part of its annual appropriations. The Pentagon sought to buy one Gulfstream V and one business-class equivalent of a Boeing 737 to replace aging planes. The Defense Department also asked to buy two additional 737s that were being leased.
.Lawmakers in the House last week added funds to buy those planes, and plus funds to buy an additional two 737s and two Gulfstream V planes. The purchases must still be approved by the Senate. The Air Force version of the Gulfstream V each costs $66 million, according to the Department of Defense, and the 737s cost about $70 million.
Geoff Morrell, the Pentagon press secretary, said the Department of Defense didn't request the additional planes and doesn't need them. "We ask for what we need and only what we need," he told reporters Wednesday. "We've always frowned upon earmarks and additives that are above and beyond what we ask for."
Congress turned harshly critical of companies that fly executives on private jets in the weeks following the government bailout of banks and auto makers last year. General Motors, Chrysler LLC and Citigroup Inc. were among those caught in the cross hairs of angry lawmakers.
MacGyver
08-09-2009, 04:45 PM
Ohhhhh, the banks and auto makers are gonna have a field day with this one.
Bobcat
08-09-2009, 06:09 PM
catapults would be cheaper and have a better end result:reddevil:
sledge
08-09-2009, 07:17 PM
What's the airport code for Afghanistan? I can't seem to get there on American Airlines...
Congress used to be able to hop free rides from lobbyists....but they actually took that perk away from themselves. Now they have to actually....wait for it.....fly commercial. This story makes it sound like everybody in Congress gets a free ride home whenever they want. It doesn't work that way.
And this is the toughest argument to make these days....but consider if you will, the day when we have an actual Speaker of the House (that would be 3rd in line for POTUS) that we wouldn't want anything bad to happen to. And we'd want control of his travel just in case something were to happen...
"Uh...American heavy...Kansas Center....those F16s will be escorting you to the nearest AFB. Sorry for the trouble."
Scarab KV
08-09-2009, 08:02 PM
Think ya missed the point here. (See bold print)
After all...how many potential back up POTUS's are there fly'n around at any given time that they need to add to the number of existing jets? Not all business is in Afghanistan. Members of congress may not be getting free rides home, but there's been enough of them called on the carpet for fly'n around the world on questionable government business in the recent past.
If they're gonna rip on an industry for fly'n corp jets, they have no business spending our money on jets that aren't needed. The bail out aside, our government has a pretty strong record for pizz'n money away too.
Lead by example
Sea-Dated
08-10-2009, 09:25 AM
Schmucks!!!
Ratickle
08-10-2009, 10:17 AM
What's the airport code for Afghanistan? I can't seem to get there on American Airlines...
Congress used to be able to hop free rides from lobbyists....but they actually took that perk away from themselves. Now they have to actually....wait for it.....fly commercial. This story makes it sound like everybody in Congress gets a free ride home whenever they want. It doesn't work that way.
And this is the toughest argument to make these days....but consider if you will, the day when we have an actual Speaker of the House (that would be 3rd in line for POTUS) that we wouldn't want anything bad to happen to. And we'd want control of his travel just in case something were to happen...
"Uh...American heavy...Kansas Center....those F16s will be escorting you to the nearest AFB. Sorry for the trouble."
She just got a new jet two years ago that cost more than all of these put together for the first year it was in use.....
These are additionals to the #3 jet free handout.
And they do get reimbursed for any flight they take and pay for.
sledge
08-10-2009, 11:29 AM
Think ya missed the point here.
Lead by example
What's YOUR point? That congress added a few planes to a DoD order? That they ordered planes that would've been bought anyways, since part of the current fleet is grounded? That a Republican from Georgia, who just happens to have Gulfstream in his district, is one of the guys who added the order? That a congressman actually stepped up to bring something home to his constituents? That congress is actually SPENDING some of the "stimulus" money they've created?
Please clarify.
As for leading by example, does that mean that you'll be running for office next year? Let me know where I can send my donation to your campaign. :biggrinjester:
Ratickle
08-10-2009, 11:34 AM
Every dollar congress spends they have either taken from someone, or borrowed from someone in the future. They don't "create" it.
The point is, if they don't subsidize high performance boats, just cars and planes, they can bite me.........
And I'll PM you my campaign headquarters address. Can I put you down for the $100,000 special supporter status??????
sledge
08-10-2009, 11:38 AM
She just got a new jet two years ago that cost more than all of these put together for the first year it was in use.....
And they do get reimbursed for any flight they take and pay for.
And will she get to keep it when she finally gets booted out of office? It'll be used to fly whoever has that position, for the next 10, 20 years.
"Reimbursed"...actually, just about all their flight costs are covered by taxpayers. And sometimes, they (we) pay for their spouse too....hark! The audacity! :D
Once again, my PSA: if these jobs are such cushy deals with so many unbeatable perks, why aren't people fighting over each other to get them? I would think during these times especially, that a bunch of qualified people inbetween jobs would take a good look at such an easy gig paying big money. 6 figure salary, free travel, great health and retirement benefits. Even if you "invested" $50k in a campaign, you'd make back $300k in the first two years. Beat that.
:USA:
Ratickle
08-10-2009, 11:41 AM
6 figure salary, free travel, great health and retirement benefits. Even if you "invested" $50k in a campaign, you'd make back $300k in the first two years. Beat that.
:USA:
It's rigged so you can't compete unless you are on the inside and have their support ahead of time. Pure bribery behind the scenes, plain and simple.
sledge
08-10-2009, 11:45 AM
Sounds like a copout excuse.
Convince 100 people, to convince 200 people, to convince 1000 people. A free print article from a couple local rags turns into a TV mention. And nothing but a stack of colored copy paper and a weekend going door to door gets it all going.
This is the most fertile time for a grassroots campaign to push some "REAL" people into office. Gotta quit b!tching, put your balls on the table and go for it.
Ratickle
08-10-2009, 11:55 AM
Does that mean I can't expect your check?
At one time I was President of the largest Lake Association in the state of Michigan, President of another club, and President of a company all at the same time. I dealt with these guys on at least a weekly basis and looked into the State House very closely. The only way to get it done is be filthy rich, or connected through waht I consider unethical ties. At least here in this part of Michigan. Oregon was a little different when I lived there.
If it's different where you are, go for it. I absolutely hate that we turn out "Professional Career Politicians". :ack2:
fund razor
08-10-2009, 11:57 AM
At least they aren't subsidizing THESE 8 Jets.
sledge
08-10-2009, 12:06 PM
Don't see a PM? But screw the PM, if you're serious, put the address out for all to see. This game has already been played, you can raise money from around the world! :D Here, my first campaign slogan, for free:
"UNEMPLOYED, ALMOST BANKRUPT, RUNNING FOR OFFICE"
Can you see the coverage you'd get for that? Can you see the constituents that could identify with that? Second free slogan:
"No More Career Politicians! Vote for a real person!"
I should be charging for this stuff....:D
Look out for a PM in a couple mins. :D
fund razor
08-10-2009, 12:20 PM
"UNEMPLOYED, ALMOST BANKRUPT, RUNNING FOR OFFICE"
Can you see the coverage you'd get for that? Can you see the constituents that could identify with that? Second free slogan:
"No More Career Politicians! Vote for a real person!"
I should be charging for this stuff....:D
Look out for a PM in a couple mins. :D
Joe the Plumber beat you to this one, Michael. :D
Buying the extra planes is just stupid. But as for the ones they do need, those jets are 45% less $ than they were a year or two ago. That being said, I've never seen a $66 mil. GV! They should buy used. There are tons of them for sale! Fukking Congress!!!
Scarab KV
08-10-2009, 02:12 PM
Now someone gets the point. Replace the planes that need to be replaced if that's the case. To buy extra planes that are clearly stated as "Not Needed"....not to mention top of the line Gulf Stream's is bullsh*t.
Government wants to chastise big industry for their spending habits, but also harbor the "Do as I say, not as I do" attitude.
Aw hell....If ya have to explain it to someone, they're not gonna get it any way:D
sledge
08-10-2009, 03:46 PM
Aw hell....If ya have to explain it to someone, they're not gonna get it any way:D
Nice example of leadership. Ironic though, probably the same attitude as those in Congress. :D So where do we send our campaign contributions again?
Mark, the "govt issue" versions have a little bit different equipment than a civilian model. I doubt you'll find all the details online...
FWIW, I was fully in support of everybody getting to DC in jets. Congress/POTUS made @sses out of themselves with that one.
Here's a really bold idea: consider why we have to have so many people in DC for so long, year in and year out. Who says we need to pass so many stupid freaking laws every year? Give us just one year of no crappy laws, no stupid chit to argue about....just pass a budget and go home. 9 million committees, stupid BS hearings, just leave it alone for awhile....let it marinate. :26:
Joe the Plumber beat you to this one, Michael. :D
Joe The Tile Guy considered it to, but as we discussed before, I don't want to be president, I want to be emperor. It would be a benevolent dictatorship.
Nice example of leadership. Ironic though, probably the same attitude as those in Congress. :D So where do we send our campaign contributions again?
Mark, the "govt issue" versions have a little bit different equipment than a civilian model. I doubt you'll find all the details online...
FWIW, I was fully in support of everybody getting to DC in jets. Congress/POTUS made @sses out of themselves with that one.
Here's a really bold idea: consider why we have to have so many people in DC for so long, year in and year out. Who says we need to pass so many stupid freaking laws every year? Give us just one year of no crappy laws, no stupid chit to argue about....just pass a budget and go home. 9 million committees, stupid BS hearings, just leave it alone for awhile....let it marinate. :26:
There is a real show of leadership.
Mr. President, within a short stone's throw of where we are debating today sits a committee of Senators sweating, laboring earnestly to find a million dollars here, a few hundred thousand dollars there, in taxes. They are sitting within a few steps of this Chamber. I am referring to the Senate Finance Committee. They are trying to protect the business structure of the country which generates the wealth which produces the taxes we so wantonly and with blithe spirits and gleeful abandon freely squander. And I think it is squandering, as a matter of fact. This is the most remarkable area of contrast that I know anything about. In that committee they try to find a few million dollars in taxes. Here we are considering an amendment increasing an already huge appropriation by $1,000,000,000. It is like using a teaspoon in order to get a few taxes into the Treasury and at the same time at the back door using a scoop shovel to shovel them out.
[Congressional Record, August 31, 1951
Nice example of leadership. Ironic though, probably the same attitude as those in Congress. :D So where do we send our campaign contributions again?
Mark, the "govt issue" versions have a little bit different equipment than a civilian model. I doubt you'll find all the details online...
FWIW, I was fully in support of everybody getting to DC in jets. Congress/POTUS made @sses out of themselves with that one.
Here's a really bold idea: consider why we have to have so many people in DC for so long, year in and year out. Who says we need to pass so many stupid freaking laws every year? Give us just one year of no crappy laws, no stupid chit to argue about....just pass a budget and go home. 9 million committees, stupid BS hearings, just leave it alone for awhile....let it marinate. :26:
No doubt on the equipment list - but roughly 2 TIMES THE COST??? :ack2:
Ratickle
08-10-2009, 05:47 PM
Mark, the "govt issue" versions have a little bit different equipment than a civilian model. I doubt you'll find all the details online...
Yep, the govt versions have big bathtubs, lounge chairs, sleeper sofas, a complete gourmet kitchen, plush carpeting, etc. Saves money vs putting in all those seats.......:sifone:
Yep, the govt versions have big bathtubs, lounge chairs, sleeper sofas, a complete gourmet kitchen, plush carpeting, etc. Saves money vs putting in all those seats.......:sifone:
Don't forget the full-time Hooker Staff! :26: :sifone:
Ratickle
08-10-2009, 06:11 PM
Don't forget the full-time Hooker Staff! :26: :sifone:
I thought that was Mr. Clinton???????:confused:
I thought that was Mr. Clinton???????:confused:
Naturally, he is the Pimp Daddy! :sifone:
Scarab KV
08-13-2009, 01:53 AM
Can I be the pilot? I haven't crashed a Gulf or Lear in weeks in flight sim:D
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