While the use of the term “limo” in the headline of this story from the Journal Sentinel has more punch, I don’t think it’s really accurate to call a Lincoln town car a limo.
But then it wouldn’t be as SHOCKING of a story about government officials – or continue the theme that state employees are always wasting money the Journal Sentinel seems to be hammering lately – if the headline read “Former Wisconsin commerce secretary hired town car to attend meetings” instead. When most people hear “limosine” they think stretch limo’s with a sunroof and champagne on ice. While I’m not defending anyone here, I don’t think that was exactly the case.
Apparently state officials trying to convince businesses to bring their money to Wisconsin should be showing up to meetings in a Ford Escort and staying at the Bates Motel.
No business executive in their right mind would do that, and for obvious reasons. They’d have a hard time being taken seriously by the very people they’re trying to impress. Why are the State’s top officials any different?
One last thing, if we’re going to get outraged over $500 on the taxpayer bill, how about shining a little light on the hundreds of millions of dollars we’re spending in Iraq right now?
Maybe someone from the JS could shed a little light on how much it costs an Iraqi politician to get from point A to B and who’s picking up the tab for that.
I live in the Washington Heights neighborhood of Milwaukee, WI with my wife Jen, our daughter Emerson, and sons Carter and Colton.
If I had rented a chauffeur driven town for one day at $550, I would have: 1) had to reimburse my employer or 2) been fired.
And I couldn’t have flown to Minneapolis on the company aircraft.
Apparently Fischer’s European escapades were not the exception.
But how can we criticize him when there’s a war in Iraq?
errr…make that “…a chauffeur driven town car…”
And once again, you’re totally glossing over the point by pulling out a straw man argument.
Our federal government can’t account for BILLIONS of dollars it gave to the Iraqi government and contractors, but let’s focus on $500! Selective outrage at it’s best.
Just to follow up, but is this what most people would have in mind after reading the JS story?
Party wagon with free booze and blaring music it’s not.
Dan,
You’re right, the Lincoln town car is not a limosine, despite the fact it’s driven by a chauffeur and rents at $550 a day.
But exposing Jack Fischer’s fiscal escapades hasn’t prevented the Journal from writing editorials, op-ed pieces and news items on fiscal mis-management in Iraq.
Could it be that your outrage over this particular misuse of the taxpayers’ money is tempered by the fact that Fischer worked for the Democrat governor rather than the Republican County Executive?
Could it be that your outrage over this particular misuse of the taxpayers’ money is tempered by the fact that Fischer worked for the Democrat governor rather than the Republican County Executive?
I think that’s obvious to anybody who has ever read this blog.
No outrage here, just pointing out, as stated above, the fact that a headline about a town car wouldn’t have been as flashy as one about a limousine.
I must have missed the “Watchdog reports” about fiscal mismanagement in Iraq though… They must be too busy on “reporting” about state employee benefits, teacher, municipal and county employee salaries, and most popular pet names.