Well, thanks to Gov. Perry I could not have picked a better time to be reading "Molly Ivins Can’t Say That, Can She?” And I can’t resist quoting her yet again this morning. Before you go to Ken Vogel’s piece at Politico on the governor and his perks, prepare yourself by reading this little gem on page 14 of Ivins’ book:
Texas legislators are natty dressers and careful about their attire. One West Texas legislator who was possessed of the appropriate committee chairmanship had the Highway Department build a rest stop at the exact edge of his district on the highway leading to Austin. The brick structure, which cost the taxpayers several thou, was not erected so motorists would have a place to relieve themselves. It was put up so the legislator would have a place to stop and change his gators (alligator shoes) as he drove back into his district from the capital. He feared the home folks would think he was gettin’ too toney if they saw him in his gators ‘stead of his boots.
Okay, now read this selection from Vogel’s piece and imagine how much fun Ivins would’ve had with the governor’s candidacy for the GOP nomination for president of these United States:
Texas Gov. Rick Perry’s humble origins and down home straight talk are central to his political identity, but for years Perry has enjoyed lavish perks and travel – mostly funded by a group of deep-pocketed supporters – that are allowed under his state’s lax ethics and campaign rules.
Some of the same Texas donors who have funded Perry’s political rise also have footed the bills for Perry and his family to jet around the world, stay in luxury hotels and resorts, vacation in tony Colorado ski towns, attend all manner of sporting events and concerts, and to maintain, entertain – and even pay the cable bill – at the 4,600-square-foot mansion with a heated pool that taxpayers are renting him at a cost of about $10,000 a month.
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