State Republi-Con Fiscal Conservative Hypocrisy

UPDATE III: For a little Florida Republi-Con fiscal conservative bankruptcy, read the Washington Post, US Senate candidate Rubio faces Fla. foreclosure.


UPDATE II: Soon it may be those wild and criminal Republi-cons. (Is criminal Republi-cons a tautology?) Read The Hill, Federal authorities launch criminal probe into Florida GOP. and the Washington Post, Feds launch probes of Florida GOP, Rubio's credit card use.

The report says:

"Rubio billed the party for more than $100,000 during the two years he served as House speaker, according to credit card statements obtained by the St. Petersburg Times and Miami Herald. The charges included repairs to the family minivan, grocery bills, plane tickets for his wife and purchases from retailers ranging from a wine store near his home to Apple's online store. Rubio also charged the party for dozens of meals during the annual lawmaking session in Tallahassee, even though he received taxpayer subsidies for his meals.

Rubio said the billings all related to party business — the minivan, for example, was damaged by a valet at a political function — and that he repaid the party for about $16,000 in personal expenses."

Crist's decision to run as an Independent might be a wise move.


UPDATE: Those wild and crazy Florida Republi-cons.

The "St. Petersburg Times and Miami Herald, offer the latest behind-the-scenes look at extravagant and freewheeling spending by the party touting fiscal restraint."

On one trip to England, the party spent $40,000 at a London hotel, and nearly $20,000 in plane tickets for indicted former House Speaker Ray Sansom and family.

Over 2½ years, a 25-year-old junior Sansom staffer, who was given a party American Express card, spent nearly $1.3 million. Thousands were spent "on jewelry, sporting goods and in one case $15,000 for what's listed as a monthlong stay at a posh Miami Beach hotel." The Florida Republi-cons spent "$650,000 in lodging, $60,000 in airfare — mostly commercial airlines — and $66,000 for charter planes."

Read the Northwest Florida Daily News, Sansom staffer rang up $1.3 million on credit card.

First Ray Sansom, a NW Florida Republi-con who was this term's Florida House Speaker until he was forced out and who finally resigned office on the eve of an ethics hearing. (He still faces criminal charges in connection with his budget dealings).

Now a "top Republican selected Tuesday as the future speaker of the Florida House can't get his own financial house in order." Read the St. Petersburg Times, His finances are a mess, but he's set to lead state House.

And most of our local elected officials oppose consolidating government, which would save money but, of course, result in fewer elected offices.

Let's not forget our very own local Republi-con fiscal conservative hypocrite.

Now you know why they are Republi-Cons!