GSA Scandal: Just in the Nick of Time

Sometimes the stars align just perfectly to help make a point. This is one of those times. Just as President Obama was renewing his call for the ridiculous Buffett Rule, the story about the outrageous GSA boondoggle in Las Vegas broke. It seems that civil servants from one of the GSA regional offices thought is was perfectly fine to spend over $800,000 to hold a conference in Las Vegas complete with a fortune teller, $1000 a night hotel rooms for some of the big wigs, and a team building exercise that used taxpayer money to buy 70 bicycles for the attendees to assemble which they then gave away to needy local kids. Although giving the bikes to poor kids was a nice gesture, they didn't have the right or the authority to do it. And as for the top officials treating themselves to $1000 a night hotel suites, I think that as a taxpayer what burns me the most is I don't even know when the last time I stayed in a $1000 a night hotel room. Oh yeah, that's because I HAVE NEVER STAYED IN A $1000 A NIGHT HOTEL ROOM!

According to the GSA official website:
"Our Mission
The GSA mission is to use expertise to provide innovative solutions for our customers in support of their missions, and by so doing, foster an effective, sustainable, and transparent government for the American people."
"Our Vision
The GSA vision is a government that works ever better for the American people."

If these folks are wasting our money, is there any doubt about other federal agencies and departments?

So when Mr. Obama talks about millionaires and billionaires paying a little bit more in taxes because they can afford it and it is only fair, I say not another penny from another American citizen, regardless of their income, until we get control of this runaway government beast! When the President accuses Republicans of proposing budget reforms that would tell those with Downs Syndrome and Autism to fend for themselves, I ask who is really taking money from those in need?

Finally, I offer this thought. When I was a newly commissioned naval officer, our Navy had big problems with ships spilling fuel while in port. The clean-up cost the government thousands of dollars each time it happened. Then, new regulations were established that held the commanding officers personally responsible for paying for the clean-up if there was a spill from their ships. The problem went away almost over night. How about holding the government managers personally financially liable, if their organizations grossly mismanage the "People's" money. I bet they would think twice before authorizing any more $1000 a night hotel rooms.