questionmark Posted February 18, 2013 #1 Share Posted February 18, 2013 About a dozen congressional staffers flew business class on a trip to China last summer and stayed at luxury hotels while touring the Great Wall and the Forbidden City and receiving a “briefing on ancient artifacts and dynasties” at the Shanghai Museum. The all-expenses-paid visit came courtesy of China. The Chinese government hosted a day of meetings with officials in Beijing followed by eight days packed with outings to destinations often frequented by tourists along with a stop at a missile frigate and two others related to national security — the official theme of the trip. More and more foreign governments are sponsoring such excursions for lawmakers and their staffs, though an overhaul of ethics rules adopted by Congress five years ago banned them from going on most other types of free trips. This overseas travel is often arranged by lobbyists for foreign governments, though lobbyists were barred from organizing other types of congressional trips out of concern that the trips could be used to buy favor. Read more Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+OverSword Posted February 18, 2013 #2 Share Posted February 18, 2013 Speaking as one who has greatly benefitted from corporate perks from insurance corporations including a trip to Vancouver to watch car racing while being put up in the four seasons hotel and given $100.00 a day spending money from a health insurance carrier, I can't really gripe, unless there is a conflict of interest or if there was no work done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AsteroidX Posted February 18, 2013 #3 Share Posted February 18, 2013 In a perfect world they would be paying a small stipend into the tax pool for these trips abroad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
questionmark Posted February 18, 2013 Author #4 Share Posted February 18, 2013 In a perfect world they would be paying a small stipend into the tax pool for these trips abroad. In a perfect world they would have to pay 100% of the gift's value in taxes except those exceeding a few hundred dollars. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir Wearer of Hats Posted February 18, 2013 #5 Share Posted February 18, 2013 what's that? Politicians rorting the system? Shocked I am. Shocked. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AsteroidX Posted February 18, 2013 #6 Share Posted February 18, 2013 You should be shocked if this is the first time youve heard it. Since its the hundredth time Ive heard it its lost its wow factor. Call me indoctrinated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now