2009 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid

With our government currently hemorrhaging money that it doesn’t really have, it comes as a bit disheartening that our nation’s legislators are riding in the lap of luxury on taxpayer money. A Detroit news show recently reported that Congressman John Conyers’, D-Mich, $76,000 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid (leased for him by congress) was broken into, while in the possession of his son.

Obvious questions arise. Why is a congressman driving such a lavish car on taxpayer money? Why was his son driving it, although that is expressly prohibited under the congressional program?

As for Conyers’ indiscretion; only he can attest to that. Currently, the U.S. Congress has a lease program for its members, which allows them to lease a car of their choice, without a limit on price. To add insult to injury, the leases must be costlier two-year ones due to the length of a congressional term.

While some officials do the right thing (Rep. Anthony Weiner of NY drives a Chevy Impala), others do not. The list of leases nearing $1000 per month is staggering. The Senate on the contrary, has no such program.

It can surely be understood why such a program ought to be in place, as the ability to move around the constituency is vital to a congressman’s job, a Cadillac, Lexus, or Mercedes is not. I say we throw the support behind Motown and limit the congressmen to mid-level Ford and GM vehicles.

- By: Stephen Calogera

Source: Straightline