Limousine Liberals: Why Has the Number of Government-Owned Limos Jumped 73 Percent in 2 Years of Oba

[Donnachaidh]

http://www.alternet.org/story/151198/limousine_liberals_why_has_the_number_of_governmentowned_limos_jumped_73_percent_in_2_years_of_obama

As hardworking Americans lose their jobs, homes and livelihoods, the watchdog group iWatch News recently reported that the Obama administration is upping its number of federally owned, taxpayer purchased limousines. If that is not ironic enough, consider this: Just last week, President Obama issued an executive order requiring government agencies to increase the fuel efficiency of their fleets.

"Hey Hillary, hot ride!"

According to a report by iWatchNews, the number of government-owned limos increased by 73 percent during the first two years of the Obama administration, and most of the increase was recorded in Hillary Clinton's State Department. While she and other officials in the department may think cruising around like rock stars is a good look, people with even the most humble appreciation for an economic crisis may consider the luxury obnoxious, to say the least. To taxpaying citizens who have had their cars repossessed or choose to take public transportation to save some of their hard-earned money, it is offensive.

For most of us, limousines are a status symbol on which the rich like to blow a little excess cash. The U.S. government, however, seems to believe they are safety vehicles vital to the protection of diplomats and government officials in a big, scary world -- despite the fact that they just may just draw a little bit of attention, and animosity, to the person inside. According to General Services Administration data, the number of limousines in the federal fleet increased by 73 percent, up from 238 in 2008 to 412 in 2010. Of these 174 new limos, 111 of them joined the fleet in 2009, during more than eight months of which Obama spent his first year in office.

More at the link --

[Turbineguy]

1. For many years

the Dutch Foreign Minister rode his bicycle to work. Hide in plain sight. If I could afford a limo, I'd drive a Chevy.

[OhioChick]

2. A slap in the face to those having their vehicles repossessed n/t

[baldguy]

3. Because govt officials don't have access to corporate-owned rides anymore?

[Obamanaut]

4. Because 'hope and change' is DC-speak for "Of all the words so big and fine,

the best are these 'I got mine'"

We didn't really *expect* change, merely hoped for it.

Another bubble, burst.

[JoePhilly]

21. Did you read the article, I'm betting no.

Good chance, these were ordered by the Bush administration in 2008.

But blaming Obama is easier.

[Obamanaut]

23. Have you ever heard the words from a politician "This is a bad deal - cancel

the order."

Remember the phrase from way-back-when-under-a-different-president "The buck stops here."

Well, letting the status quo remain the status quo is easier in DC than fixing stuff. Obviously.

And I'm still waiting for my pony and the experiences that are due.

[JoePhilly]

25. So you didn't read the article.

Gotcha.

On edit: I'm sure Obama approves every transportation order. What else would he possibly be doing ...

[Obamanaut]

26. Read it. And a politician at any level will not cancel an order, probably because

he/she doesn't want to offend a potential donor.

As to what he could possibly be doing? Until November 2012 campaigning, and soliciting funds for that campaign. Not too much else.

After Jan 2013, writing memoirs and resumes.

As to blame - I can share in it because I fell for the glitter. Even changed my screen name during the 'name change amnesty' and will change it back if there is another one.

[JoePhilly]

30. Then I am sure you read this part ....

"In a statement, GSA spokeswoman Sara Merriam said the GSA "cannot say that its report accurately reflects the number of limousines" because "the categories in the Fleet Report are overly broad, and the term 'limousine' is not defined," and that "vehicles represented as limousines can range from protective duty vehicles to sedans."

And the last thing we want is government officials riding around in "protective duty vehicles" and "sedans".

Just more of the "obama evil" nonsense that can be found here on DU.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

5. Well, they have to have someplace to sip their champagne and stash their furs.

[DURHAM D]

6. Read the whole article - not just the flame.

Pretty much "The Sky Is Falling" tripe

[Divernan]

8. I did & the State Department's indulgence is infuriating

"Hey Hillary, hot ride!"


For most of us, limousines are a status symbol on which the rich like to blow a little excess cash. The U.S. government, however, seems to believe they are safety vehicles vital to the protection of diplomats and government officials in a big, scary world -- despite the fact that they just may just draw a little bit of attention, and animosity, to the person inside. According to General Services Administration data, the number of limousines in the federal fleet increased by 73 percent, up from 238 in 2008 to 412 in 2010. Of these 174 new limos, 111 of them joined the fleet in 2009, during more than eight months of which Obama spent his first year in office.

Spoiled as government officials may be, some federal agencies and departments may have been victim to unfair limousine distribution. The State Department's 259 limos surpassed every other agency's limo stash in 2010, and the department has gained 194 limos since fiscal year 2008. Of the new 194, 98 were defined as "law enforcement." According to the GSA, these limos are either used for surveillance or undercover operations or decked-out with sweet additions like sirens, lights and high-performance drivetrains.

While the State Department continues to usher its diplomats around in style, the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Government Printing Office, for example, have not been so fortunate. The VA, which once owned 21 limos under George W. Bush in 2008, now sports only one. Similarly, the Government Printing Office went from six to none between 2009 and 2010.

[Divernan]

9. 94 identified as used for surveillance/undercover operations!?!

Gimme a break!

[DURHAM D]

12. This should have been expensed to the DOD. nt

[DURHAM D]

11. I see you have/ are working your own agenda...

"To give Obama the benefit of the doubt, some of the purchases may have been part of a Bush administration appropriation process that would have kicked off in the spring of 2008."

"The number of limousines in the federal fleet has fluctuated, but GSA's "unreliable" accounting makes determining exactly how many federal limos have been in circulation difficult."

"Instead of defining a limousine as an extraordinarily long vehicle with tinted windows and champagne on ice, the State Department said it calls any vehicle that carries a VIP or "other protectee" a limousine."

[Divernan]

13. The current administration stripped the VA of all but 1 of its limos.

As my post included, "Of these 174 new limos, 111 of them joined the fleet in 2009, during more than eight months of which Obama spent his first year in office."
and
"While the State Department continues to usher its diplomats around in style, the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Government Printing Office, for example, have not been so fortunate. The VA, which once owned 21 limos under George W. Bush in 2008, now sports only one. Similarly, the Government Printing Office went from six to none between 2009 and 2010."


Of do you think W is controlling things from Texas?

[DURHAM D]

14. redundant much?

You see what you want to see and obviously the government purchasing process isn't part of your knowledge base. Apparently neither is the reality of the increased threat to our governmental officials working/living in other parts of the world.

[Snoutport]

16. thank you

[WatsonT]

7. Make them walk, take the bus, ride a bike, and/or fly coach

Government jobs shouldn't be the new aristocracy. They should be service positions.

Not to say they have to live under bridges and eat garbage. But they are clearly abusing their positions of authority.

[Beaverhausen]

10. Are the limos made in the USA?

Also, the article mentions this may have been a Bush administration purchase.

[tammywammy]

15. The Cadillac DTS is made in the US. n/t

[NYC_SKP]

17. So, I read the article... ...and I submit that a big Asterisk (see footnote) is in order...

And I think I'll go check for more information, but just within that article we read this:

To give Obama the benefit of the doubt, some of the purchases may have been part of a Bush administration appropriation process that would have kicked off in the spring of 2008.

While government purchase of limousines during a budget crisis is troubling, even more startling is the lack of transparency on such a cut-and-dry issue. The federal fleet numbers are recorded annually, but the GSA said its limo numbers are not reliable.

In a statement, GSA spokeswoman Sara Merriam said the GSA "cannot say that its report accurately reflects the number of limousines" because "the categories in the Fleet Report are overly broad, and the term 'limousine' is not defined," and that "vehicles represented as limousines can range from protective duty vehicles to sedans."

The number of limousines in the federal fleet has fluctuated, but GSA's "unreliable" accounting makes determining exactly how many federal limos have been in circulation difficult.

So the author has a lot of nerve posting that title.

:eyes:

[JoePhilly]

19. The whole thing is flame bait ... Obama Bad, Obama Bad

I liked this quote ...

"To give Obama the benefit of the doubt, some of the purchases may have been part of a Bush administration appropriation process that would have kicked off in the spring of 2008."

So Bush makes a mess ... and Obama takes the blame, again.

And the "liberal media" carries all of the water needed to do it.

Nice.

[JHB]

22. Yeah, that title pinged my "suspicious claim" radar...

...so my first question was "exactly what are they counting as a 'limousine'". Sure enough, it's pretty expansive.

[Drew Richards]

18. Excuse me for being slow but...

Last time I heard about a similar issue it turned out they were ordered 5 years prior to delivery.

Any link on when they were ordered and by whom?

[JoePhilly]

20. The ARTICLE says Bush, Spring of 2008 .... but Obama gets blamed for Bush's messes anyway.

That's the "liberal media" for ya.

[Cerridwen]

24. Did you notice what both authors slipped right by you?

First, the alternet article is missing many important pieces, i.e., the link to the original article at iWatch which is the new 'news' blog for 'The Center for Public Integrity' (Paul Volcker is on the advisory committee and one source I found reports "In 2010, The Huffington Post Investigative Fund merged into CPI". I don't trust huffpo any farther than I can throw Arianna.), a link to the report referred in the original article, and a link to the 'statement' made by the GSA spokeswoman, Sara Merriam (I still can't find a link to the last).

Secondly, when finally getting to the original article at iWatch, I notice the writer quotes "Leslie Paige, a spokeswoman for the nonprofit watchdog group Citizens Against Government Waste".

From the 'about' page at Citizens Against Government Waste:

In 1982, President Reagan directed the Grace Commission to "work like tireless bloodhounds to root out government inefficiency and waste of tax dollars." For two years, 161 corporate executives and community leaders led an army of 2,000 volunteers on a waste hunt through the federal government. The search was funded entirely by voluntary contributions of $76 million from the private sector; it cost taxpayers nothing. The Grace Commission made 2,478 recommendations which, if implemented, would save $424.4 billion over three years, an average of $141.5 billion a year all without eliminating essential services.

The 47 volumes and 21,000 pages of the Grace Commission Report constituted a vision of an efficient, well-managed government that is accountable to the taxpayers. CAGW has worked to make that vision a reality and, in a little over two decades, has helped save taxpayers $1.04 trillion through the implementation of Grace Commission findings and other recommendations.

Former Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole has stated, "CAGW researches and identifies the most blatant waste in government and shows how it can be eliminated. CAGW has a long and successful record of winning major cuts in wasteful spending without sacrificing America's defenses."

House Republican Policy Committee Chairman Christopher Cox (R-Calif.) went even further: "CAGW has fought side-by-side with us for welfare reform and massive cuts in wasteful spending to shrink the size of government and the deficit." Rep. Cox called CAGW "the premier waste-fighting organization in America." link

Notice anything about this "private, non-partisan, non-profit organization"?

Then, of course, there is another article at another blog which calls into question some of the conclusions presented in both articles. Do you think it'll get the same press?

US Government Limos Up 73% Under Obama (Or Maybe Not)

<snip>

So, we don’t know whether the number of limousines owned by the government has increased or they’re simply counting vehicles that were once considered “cars” as limousines? That’s an important point in a debate over limousines, I’d say.

<snip>

But by State’s definition, the Humvee that I rode as a lieutenant was actually a limo! Okay, so I wasn’t Very Important. Indeed, I’m still not. But I had a driver and the vehicle, while not up-armored, could be configured with a Kevlar armor shell.

<snip to more at link {just another blog commentary by another blog}

Finally, when I see right-wing talking points being used, I see red flags flying everywhere. 'Limousine Liberal' is one such red flag. When a writer uses right-wing talking points, especially without the 'scary' quotes, I'm of the opinion they're either a right-wing, low-information, propaganda catapulting, neocon, or, giving them the benefit of the doubt, a gullible leftist who's been taken in by right-wing, low-information, propaganda catapulting, neocon, talking points.

It was damned near impossible to research this article because it's been taken up by every right-wing, piece of crap blog on the intertubes. Well, except for the few 'left' leaning sites who are having fun flinging right-wing shit.

Oh, yeah, and to the GSA report in question. More links at the GSA site

Limousines 318 (2006) 217 (2007) 238 (2008) 349 (2009) 412 (2010)

You'll want to look at tabs 2-5 and 2-5T (T stands for trends)

[pinboy3niner]

28. Nice work!

The article struck me as using admittedly unclear and inconclusive information to drive unsupported conclusions in what looks like a hit piece on the Obama Administration. All the more surprising, since I don't think this writer has a history of being a political hatchet woman.

Again, nice job. :toast:

[Cerridwen]

29. Thank you.

With all the crap being catapulted these days, I'm starting to feel I need to become an investigative reporter just to find the facts.

Of course, I know you understand that. Thank YOU for all your work in the Libya thread!

:toast:

[SidDithers]

31. Great freakin' post!...

:applause: :thumbsup:

Especially liked the bit about "left' leaning sites who are having fun flinging right-wing shit."

Awesome stuff.

Sid

[Cerridwen]

32. I cannot tell you what your words of praise mean to me.

I can, however, point you to an OP I just made which might explain my stand on such things.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=439x1234943

[Shagbark Hickory]

27. Oh I'm sure they were ordered long before Obama was in office. nt