Accidental Blogger

Here are a few stories recently in the news that illustrate the priorities of our politicians and government agencies when it comes to spending public money.

A United Airlines flight from Washington DC to Ghana made a mid-air U-Turn because of a fist fight between two irritated and uncivil passengers. The disturbance was deemed "serious" enough for the plane to require a F-16 fighter jet escort. Before landing, the plane jettisoned $50,000 worth of fuel in order to reduce the weight of the aircraft to a landing-worthy level. We do not know how much it costs to send up an F-16 into the air.

A suicidal man drowned in San Francisco Bay over the Memorial Day weekend while police and firefighters who were summoned there stood by and watched. Fire officials claimed that recent budget cuts prevented them from attempting a "water rescue."  

Governor Chris Christie of New Jersey who prides himself for being a fiscally responsible politician and has suggested wide ranging pay cuts and reduction in benefits for school teachers and state employees, flew in a state helicopter to his son's baseball game. The brand new helicopter is meant to be used for medical and Homeland Security related emergencies. It costs $2,500 per hour to fly the helicopter.