As most of us downsize our recreational and vacation plans due to the recession, Congress has no such limits.  According to a Wall Street Journal article today, Congress is off seeing the world at taxpayer expense.

This is not a Republican or Democrat issue–both parties are guilty.

According to the article:

“Often, lawmakers combine trips to war zones with visits to more tranquil spots. In February, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi led a delegation of Democratic lawmakers to visit U.S. troops in Afghanistan for a day. Before landing in Kabul, the eight lawmakers and their entourage of spouses and aides spent eight days in Italy, spending $57,697 on hotels and meals.”

That was taxpayer money.  I hope she had a nice trip.  I myself am hoping for a long weekend in New Hampshire.

The article further reports:

“Documents obtained by the Journal show that the cost of flying a small group of lawmakers to the Middle East is about $150,000. Larger trips on the Air Force’s version of the Boeing 757 cost about $12,000 an hour. Two federal agencies pay for most of the travel — the Defense Department and the State Department.”

Can anyone say ‘budget cuts’?