The $7 Million Lunch Tab

An article entitled, Taxpayers eat $7 million government lunch tab, on CNN.com talked about the amount of money taxpayers are spending to feed Justice Department employees at conferences, meetings, and so forth. The report, written by an inspector general, reviewed the 9 most expensive U.S. conferences between October 2004 and September 2006, including an international conference that was held during the same time.

The exorbitant amount allotted to feed the Department of Justice (DOJ) employees includes a federal $51 per diem rate for food. However, the average range for the conferences included as high as a $64 per registrant average for food, and even an "At the Movies" luncheon buffet (including candy, popcorn, and soft drinks) that cost $25 per person on top of a sandwich buffet that cost $44 per person.

Just to make this all very clear, that's almost $70 per person on sandwiches and popcorn. So, even if I allowed for an average sandwich cost of $15, and popcorn, candy, and soft drink cost of $40, there is still an extra $15 that goes missing. Now, this is not to say that I know how much things cost in different parts of the country, but in my opinion, $15 a sandwich must be some type of gourmet sandwich and although movie food is expensive, $40 is more like what I spend on 2 people at the movies instead of just myself.

That is not to say that DOJ employees shouldn't be allowed to eat at conferences such as these. On the contrary, I feel that having a food allowance that is supported by taxpayer money is, if at least not preferable, then definitely necessary. However, I do not feel like we should be feeding them filet mignon sandwiches, gourmet flavored popcorn, and imported soda, which in all likelihood is what is being served if food costs are truly as reported by the inspector general. I don't know about you, but I don't even spend that much money on food for myself. I definitely do not want to pay that much for someone else to eat. That's like asking a stranger out to dinner, giving them your credit card and saying order the most expensive thing you can, but don't tell me how much it costs.

To make matters worse, the report from the Office of the Inspector General ,Glenn Fine, stated that most attendees were failing to deduct their $51 per day allowance for food, even though the food at the conference was being fed to them for free. This essentially means, that the government is paying for their meals twice. Which of course, is passed down to the taxpayers. I bet you all had no clue you were paying for someone else's food everyday when you went to work.

The report stated that their should be some way of "developing conference food and beverage policies to ensure adequate justification of significant food and beverage costs." The Justice Department said it agreed with the recommendations. Thanks for the obvious answer. Now let's see if something is actually done about it.

If you want to check this article out for yourself or form your own opinion, you can view the article at http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/09/14/meatball.justice/index.html

"Back Iraq"

An article in the Chicago Sun Times entitled, Back Iraq When I'm Gone, highlights some of President Bush's key points in his speech given this past Thursday night.

Bush ordered gradual reductions in the number of U.S. troops still stationed in Iraq, stating that almost 168,000 troops will have returned home by this July of 2008. Despite these reductions however, Bush is still standing firm behind the Iraqi war. He asked that after his presidency has come to an end, that we still continue at least minimal efforts in Iraq.

He also acknowledges the fact that the Iraqi government was not as quick to meet the political goals the U.S. had set for them as was originally fore casted. While there is progress, there are around 8 "benchmarks" that have yet to gain a satisfactory score.

While Bush has made somewhat of an effort to bring the troops home, looks like this war will not be over just yet. We need to make sure that we are keeping posted on the war in Iraq. Some of those soldiers still serving could be your friends and family.

For more information go to:http://www.suntimes.com/news/world/557440,CST-NWS-bush14.article