June 22, 2005
When I was growing up, my parents taught me not to waste things.
They had come through the Great Depression and World War II, so for them waste was a sin.
That's why it gets my attention when government wastes our money.
Alaska republican Senator Ted Stevens has led a congressional delegation to the annual Paris air show.
It is known as the biggest of the big junkets congress takes.
When asked by the Washington Times for the names of other members who went and the cost to taxpayers, Stevens' office refused to provide the information due to "security reasons."
A spokeswoman for Stevens said it has to do with the fact that Stevens is third in line for the presidency.
This is total baloney and coverup.
Public servants spending public money must be held accountable.
If members go on these junkets, the taxpayers have a right to know who went and how much of our money was spent and what business was conducted.
Spending in Washington is bipartisan.
It ought to be reigned-in.
Seteven's explanation is unacceptable.
I'm Cal Thomas in Washington.
Cal Thomas is a nationally syndicated columnist based in Washington, D.C. Watch his television show, After Hours with Cal Thomas, on the Fox News Channel, Saturdays at 11 p.m. Eastern Time.
