From the AP
U.S. House members spent $20.3 million in tax money last year to send constituents what's often the government equivalent of junk mail -- meeting announcements, tips on car care and job interviews, surveys on public policy and just plain bragging.
You know the stuff. Here's one. It arrived at my house recently from my Congresscritter, thin-skinned Thad McCotter (R-Livonia).
This crap is really shameless self-promotion at your expense. The kindest thing one can say is that occasionally the "questionnaire" is an excellent example of leading questions.
Everyone knows illegal immigration breeds terrorism. Are you in favor of cracking down on it?
Yes Hell Yes (circle one)
Do approve of the democrat party (sic) wasteful spending?
No Of course not (circle one)
Congressmen receive what's called "franking privileges" for their mail. Instead of actually purchasing postage their signature is affixed to the upper left hand corner of the correspondence. It's a practice that began years ago. Although these days, the true cost is a budget item for their office.
Some members choose not to join the charade, but there's no shortage of ones who spend your money on these glossy flyers. In fact, there were a dozen members who spent in excess of $133,00 each to send 9.8 million pieces.
And, this brings me back to thin-skinned Thad.
Among legislative leaders,the biggest spender was Rep. Thaddeus McCotter, R-Mich., who last fall became chairman of the House GOP Conference. He spent $133,053 to mail 844,336 pieces....
The cost of postage is not the only expense for taxpayers. Printing and reproduction can add tens of thousands of dollars to a mailing's cost. The printing cost for one mailing from McCotter was $30,259.
The guy who signs his correspondence "I work for you," votes against healthcare for kids and insists that we must find a way to win in Iraq also blows your hard earned tax dollars on junk mail to make himself look pretty. And, he's one of worst offenders to boot. |
