Those Magnificient County Execs In Their Flying Machines
November 20, 2006 at 10:03 am
In today’s Washington Post front-pager on taxpayers in Prince George’s County, Maryland, having to foot the bill for politicians’ personal credit card expenses, we find this gem of a quote from P.G. County Executive Jack Johnson:
“I always fly business class or first class. I think the people of Prince George’s County expect me to. I don’t think they expect me to be riding in a seat with four across and I’m in the middle.”
Extreme Mortman grew up in Prince George’s County, so I speak with some authority when I assert in agreement with Johnson that not only do PG County people not expect their County Executives to be riding in a seat with four across and they’re in the middle, we also expect County Executives to enjoy a few free cocktails in the Admiral’s Club before boarding. Also, the people of PG County expect County Execs to enjoy in-flight magazines whose crossword puzzles aren’t already filled out. And this should go without saying, but we’ll state it anyway — PG County Execs should be able to bring aboard four ounces of liquids or gels, not just three ounces like the rest of us.
By the way, can anyone figure out the math about being in the middle seat with four across?
bearing said,
November 20, 2006 @ 11:21 am
Perhaps he’s an unusually large county exec.
In that case, the first-class seat might be a bargain!
scott said,
November 20, 2006 @ 12:15 pm
I’m so excited.
I’m an executive also, and in my company (just like in my previous company, and the one before that) our policy is flying coach, even in international (which is what I always fly).
A convincing argument like this is just what I need to convince everyone that I really need to be flying first! I’m showing this to my boss right away. No way he can refute that logic.
dholl said,
November 20, 2006 @ 12:17 pm
for those of you unfamiliar with p.g., it’s a pretty crappy, unsafe part of maryland just outside of d.c. that their elected representatives are self-serving fatcats should come as no surprise.
mrsizer said,
November 20, 2006 @ 12:24 pm
Why does a COUNTY executive have to fly at all?
Dana said,
November 20, 2006 @ 12:34 pm
LOL…this is too funny…. sounds all too familiar… sounds exactly like the county officials that work in Anne Arundel County Government…..Always have taxpayers pay for their fun…..Its just that Teresa Sutherland (a.a. county auditor) doesn’t have the balls to dig deep.
Peter said,
November 20, 2006 @ 12:41 pm
I live in Texas, we have some counties bigger than most of those back east states. Still, if my county commisioners need to go from Greenville to Quinlen, they drive.
No wonder the west is full of easterners. Sheesh.
Windypundit said,
November 20, 2006 @ 1:07 pm
I expect all my local politicians to fly first class too. Heck, I expect the plane to be knee-deep in hookers and blow…doesn’t mean I’m in favor of it though…
Mike said,
November 20, 2006 @ 1:07 pm
Hey, just because you represent a Rat Hole, it doesn’t mean you can’t live like a King.
Vexorg said,
November 20, 2006 @ 6:41 pm
Just out of curiosity, does he by any chance expect his constituents to eat cake?
Alex Bensky said,
November 20, 2006 @ 8:08 pm
We had a similar situation in Detroit a few years back. An outgoing school board member named Alonzo Bates—who modestly allowed a magnet school to be named the Alonzo Bates Academy–did a lot of first class flying his last year on the board. When asked about it he stated he was being a role model to the young brothers who would look at him and say, “A brother can make it.” I personally don’t see young Detroiters gathered by departure gates seeing if preboarding includes any black guys but perhaps I missed something.
The people of Detroit a few years later indicated their attitude towards his approach to the public purse by electing him to the city council, although in fairness to the citizenry he was defeated when he ran for re-election.
Rich Rostrom said,
November 27, 2006 @ 4:34 am
It’s a Black Thing. Seriously - for many black Americans, displays of wealth, power, and status are very important: much more so than other culture groups. Advertisers have known for years that one can sell almost anything to blacks if it can be marketed as a high-status product. Black policians are notorious for extreme DYKWIA behavior.
fountainviewkid said,
December 4, 2007 @ 3:16 pm
Let me guess that very shortly some will comment about Rich being racist. While what he said may not be true for every black, it is true for many especially black leaders in politics. The example we have from Detroit only illustrates this. BTW that Detroit council member is in jail. Now maybe Detroit can actually use taxpayer money responsibly.
fountainviewkid said,
December 4, 2007 @ 3:17 pm
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071107/UPDATE/711070461/1361