Displaying uncommon arrogance and elitism, Democratic politicians and their liberal supporters are frequently caught betraying the rules of behavior and speech they attempt to force on average Americans. Following is a growing collection of such discoveries. Enjoy…
The Prince of hypocrites: Charles embarks on
16,000 mile ‘green’ crusade… aboard a private jet
By Rebecca English
Last updated at 12:12 AM on 14th February 2009
Prince Charles was accused of hypocrisy last night for using a private jet on an ‘environmental’ tour of South America.
The prince will travel to the region next month in a visit costing an estimated £300,000 as part of his crusade against global warming.
He will use a luxury airliner to transport himself, the Duchess of Cornwall and a 14-strong entourage to Chile, Brazil and Ecuador on a 16,400-mile round trip.
Aides insist it is impossible for the prince to complete the ten-day official visit using scheduled flights as he will undertake almost 40 engagements.
They also stress that he will offset his carbon emissions.
But last night critics seized on his choice of transport. Labour MP Ian Davidson, a member of the Commons Public Accounts Committee, said: ‘It would be hard to make this up.
’To hear that the Prince of Wales is flying to South America to save the environment and taking 14 staff on his jet at hideous cost just for this trip is the height of the absurd.
‘At a time when the greed of bankers is causing much adverse comment I would have thought that Prince Charles would have had more sense than to be so financially and ecologically wasteful.’
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Al Franken Admits $50,000 Tax Debt
Friday, February 6, 2009
By: Ronald Kessler
© 2009 Newsmax.
Overlooked in coverage of Tim Geithner’s and Tom Daschle’s unpaid taxes is the $70,000 that Minnesota Democratic senatorial candidate Al Franken has admitted to owing in back taxes, interest, and penalties.
Last April, the California Tax Franchise Board revealed that Franken owed the state $5,800 in taxes, fines, and penalties because he did not file returns in 2003 through 2007. Franken then admitted that he owed more than $50,000 in back taxes to 17 states.
Franken blamed everything on his accountant of 18 years, saying he failed to report the income from the comedian’s celebrity appearances and speeches in those states where he made money outside of Minnesota and New York, where he lives. Franken claimed he overpaid taxes in those two states and will file for refunds.
But the accountant, Allen Chanzis, has not verified Franken’s account. In fact, he has said he was told not to talk to the press. Nor has Franken released any documentation to show that he overpaid taxes in two states.
“I’ve been told to say ‘no comment,’” the accountant told reporters.
On top of failing to pay taxes in 17 states, the New York State Workers’ Compensation Board hit Franken’s corporation with a $25,000 penalty for failing to carry worker’s compensation insurance for his employees in New York. Yet Franken ran as an advocate of middle-class voters.
Chanzis’ Web site specifically says his firm “handles multi-state filings” and that he has “unique expertise in all aspects of tour accounting and reporting.” It is absurd to think that Chanzis did not understand the tax laws. More likely, Franken – who bears the ultimate responsibility for paying his own taxes – directed his accountant not to pay the taxes. Since his accountant will not talk to the press, presumably on orders of his client, we have no way of knowing whether Franken actually overpaid in the two states where he lives.
After a recount, Franken came out 225 votes ahead of Republican Norm Coleman. Coleman has challenged the results in court, and the issue is being litigated.
To be sure, Franken’s failure to pay taxes was known to voters, and he is not subject to anyone else’s confirmation. But coming on top of the Geithner and Daschle tax debacles, Franken’s failure to pay taxes gives new meaning to Sen. Jim DeMint’s comment that Democrats favor higher taxes as long as they do not have to pay them.
Commenting on Daschle’s withdrawal as a Cabinet nominee, President Barack Obama said, “Ultimately it’s important for this administration to send a message that there aren’t two sets of rules. You know, one for prominent people and one for ordinary folks who have to pay their taxes.”
If Franken is seated as a U.S. senator, he will send the opposite message.
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Dems Blast Corporate Excess While Soaking Taxpayers for Luxury Retreat
Posted By Bobby Eberle
February 6, 2009
Remember the fallout when the corporate executives came to Washington asking for money? Rather than saving money by flying commercial, they traveled in their corporate jets and asked Congress for a “helping hand.” The move did not sit well with the public, and congressmen took the opportunity to blast the executives for “corporate excess.”
Hypocrisy runs amok in Washington… we all know that. But the Democrats have now taken it to a new level. While they send down fire and brimstone against “evil” corporate executives for living the good life, they will soak the American taxpayers for a luxury retreat in Virginia that they are attending this weekend.
As the Associated Press notes in a story on GOPUSA, “Members of Congress were quick to shame corporate executives for over-the-top extravagance during the economic crisis, flying private jets and taking luxury junkets. But some lawmakers are strolling fancy resorts spending tens of thousands of taxpayer dollars.”
This weekend, Democrat House members are meeting at the Kingsmill Resort and Spa in Williamsburg, VA.
Having stayed at the Kingsmill resort last summer (at my own expense), I can say that the setting and amenities are definitely top notch. However, it’s one thing for an individual or family to pay their own way, and it’s quite another for the taxpayers to pick up the tab!
“Democrats spend taxpayer money on their retreat but do not permit lobbyists to accompany them. The public pays for a charter train from Washington to Williamsburg for many of the 200 members who attend, as well as conference rooms, security and catering.”
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Bill Clinton made millions from foreign sources
January 27, 2008
By MATTHEW LEE, Associated Press Writer
Flashback: Saudis, Indians Among Clinton Foundation Donors
WASHINGTON (AP) – Financial documents filed by Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton show that her husband earned nearly $6 million in speaking fees last year, nearly all of it from foreign companies.
The documents obtained Tuesday by The Associated Press indicate that $5 million of the former president’s reported $5.7 million in 2008 honoraria came from foreign sources. They included Kuwait’s National Bank, a Hong Kong-based company, and other firms and groups in Canada, Germany, India, Malaysia, Mexico and Portugal.
All senior officials in the Obama administration are required to complete a detailed disclosure of their personal finances, including spouse and children, which is updated yearly.
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Energy Guzzled by Al Gore’s Home in Past Year Could Power 232 U.S. Homes for a Month
June 17, 2008
NASHVILLE – In the year since Al Gore took steps to make his home more energy-efficient, the former Vice President’s home energy use surged more than 10%, according to the Tennessee Center for Policy Research.
“A man’s commitment to his beliefs is best measured by what he does behind the closed doors of his own home,” said Drew Johnson, President of the Tennessee Center for Policy Research. “Al Gore is a hypocrite and a fraud when it comes to his commitment to the environment, judging by his home energy consumption.”
In the past year, Gore’s home burned through 213,210 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity, enough to power 232 average American households for a month.
In February 2007, An Inconvenient Truth, a film based on a climate change speech developed by Gore, won an Academy Award for best documentary feature. The next day, the Tennessee Center for Policy Research uncovered that Gore’s Nashville home guzzled 20 times more electricity than the average American household.
After the Tennessee Center for Policy Research exposed Gore’s massive home energy use, the former Vice President scurried to make his home more energy-efficient. Despite adding solar panels, installing a geothermal system, replacing existing light bulbs with more efficient models, and overhauling the home’s windows and ductwork, Gore now consumes more electricity than before the “green” overhaul.
Since taking steps to make his home more environmentally-friendly last June, Gore devours an average of 17,768 kWh per month -1,638 kWh more energy per month than before the renovations – at a cost of $16,533. By comparison, the average American household consumes 11,040 kWh in an entire year, according to the Energy Information Administration.
In the wake of becoming the most well-known global warming alarmist, Gore won an Oscar, a Grammy and the Nobel Peace Prize. In addition, Gore saw his personal wealth increase by an estimated $100 million thanks largely to speaking fees and investments related to global warming hysteria.
“Actions speak louder than words, and Gore’s actions prove that he views climate change not as a serious problem, but as a money-making opportunity,” Johnson said. “Gore is exploiting the public’s concern about the environment to line his pockets and enhance his profile.”
The Tennessee Center for Policy Research, a Nashville-based free market think tank and watchdog organization, obtained information about Gore’s home energy use through a public records request to the Nashville Electric Service.
[The Tennessee Center for Policy Research is an independent, nonprofit and nonpartisan research organization committed to achieving a freer, more prosperous Tennessee through the ideas of liberty. Visit TCPR online at: www.tennesseepolicy.org.]
Posted by Jerry Pomeroy in Liberal Hypocrisy