Sarah Palin’s Per Diem

Ahh, poor politicians and their ongoing frat party in this nation’s capitol. Let’s be clear, both sides are touting change as being the only option to save our nation and yada, yada, yada.

I’m all for change. I think change is good.

But, and this goes for both parties, words are meaningless unless actions accompany those words.

I haven’t been sitting over here at Chez Coma busting out on Sarah Palin, who I still think has little experience to take on what could be the most important office in recent history. (And, of course, hanging out with carnies and cool people, living my life the way I want to.)

No, but I also want to say that that Gov. Palin’s actions aren’t lining up with her words. I realize that every government official gets a per diem. I’ve no problem with that when It’s company business and running a state is a company.

What I do have a problem with is charging the taxpayers of her state for this after only 19 months in office:

She wrote some form of “Lodging — own residence” or “Lodging — Wasilla residence” more than 30 times at the same time she took a per diem, according to the reports. In two dozen undated amendments to the reports, the governor deleted the reference to staying in her home but still charged the per diem.

If you are hanging out at your own house, why in the world would you charge the state you run for per diem?

I realize the first family is going to get some perks as well but the Palins’ charged the state of Alaska more than I make in a year including this:

The family also charged for flights around the state, including trips to Alaska events such as the start of the Iditarod dog-sled race and the Iron Dog snowmobile race, a contest that Todd Palin won.

Granted, Palin has spent less than the governor she replaced but I still can’t help but question $707 per night hotel bills.

I can’t wait for the day I see a politician stay at a Super 8 like the rest of us. Or even a Marriot which is a luxury for many of us.

Politics as usual. We can talk about change all we want but the new school is just the same as the old school, it just has a new coat of paint and that’s about it.