Fiscal responsibility you can believe in

Daily Kos Staff

Tuesday September 09, 2008 · 7:15 AM PDT

2008/09/09 · 07:15

Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin has billed taxpayers for 312 nights spent in her own home during her first 19 months in office, charging a "per diem" allowance intended to cover meals and incidental expenses while traveling on state business.

The governor also has charged the state for travel expenses to take her children on official out-of-town missions. And her husband, Todd, has billed the state for expenses and a daily allowance for trips he makes on official business for his wife.

At first I was wondering, "why didn't I try that at my old job, demanding travel pay when staying at my own place?" Then I realized why -- it would've been a scam, and I would've been fired. Funny how that "accountability" thing doesn't seem to operate when a politician is elected to high office.

Now to be fair, Palin only made $125,000 a year, or 1/3rd of a Cindy McCain dress. That is really poor; at least $4.875 million away from middle class. And don't forget she "chose life", so who cares if she has the ethics of a sewer rat?

Instead of passing judgment on Palin, we should just be thankful it wasn't John McCain billing the state of Alaska to live at his home(s). He would've bankrupted the state.

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