In case any of you were still any under lingering illusions that Republican administrations were thrifty stewards of your tax dollars, the Washington Post reported Monday that outgoing Bush administration Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne recently had the “scarcely-used” bathroom in his fifth-floor office renovated — at a cost of $235,000 in taxpayer funds.
In addition to a new shower, the swanky new restroom now has floor-to-ceiling wainscot wooden paneling and a cabinet that opens to reveal a refrigerator and freezer. In the bathroom.
The Interior Department is apparently denying earlier reports that Kempthorne, the conservative Republican former Idaho Senator and Governor, also had towels monogrammed “DK.”
I’m not making this up.
And, by the way, there’s a gym in the basement of the building, with showers.
Filed under: George W. Bush, Government, News, Republicans, Wordpress Political Blogs
tahnk’s ….information
Maybe the freezer is to store his bribe money.
Oh wait…..
“And, by the way, there’s a gym in the basement of the building, with showers.” You ever hear about some of the amenities over at SCOTUS ? Stories of government waste know no party either.
I agree with you that government waste occurs under both parties, Alfie.
I’m not so sure that the U.S. Supreme Court is a good example of that. Not only is it the least partisan branch of government but the person responsible for the Court’s administration is the Chief Justice, and there hasn’t been a Chief Justice who was appointed to the Court by a Democratic President since 1953, when Fred Vinson (appointed by Harry Truman) died in office.
I’ve actually used that bathroom, believe it or not, though it was in 1994. I was doing some consulting for the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and we met with then Secretary Babbitt to go over a cost proposal.
As I recall, it was pretty freaking opulent at that time as well.
This strikes me as one of those stories that really shouldn’t focus on the “D” or “R” after the appointee’s name so much as the sense of entitlement that all of our public servants (especially those at this level) have. Does anyone really think there’s never been a Democratic appointee who spent too much of our money outfitting his or her office?
I was purely non partisan in my comment. SCOTUS has amongst other things what is affectionately known as the “truly highest court in the land.” On the 4th floor theres a fully stocked gym including a basketball court. Sweet I bet anyone I can take Ginsberg in a game of 21. Have a great weekend to the folks at CT
Wasn’t referring to your comment, Alfie, but the post itself.
Have a great weekend yourself!