Enjoy the $20k portraits you bought the ruling class for Christmas

[lonestar]

Enjoy the $20k portraits you bought the ruling class for Christmas

By: John Hayward
11/21/2012 08:36 AM

It’s an old chestnut among “climate change” skeptics that we’ll start taking the complaints of the cult seriously when its high priests start living as if they really believe there’s a crisis. Global warming pope Al Gore has a carbon footprint that would crush a Third World nation. Climate-change sultans fly into lavishly catered eco-conferences on luxury private jets. Hollywood stars lecture the rest of us about using too much energy while they live in mansions and tool around in limousines.


In a similar vein, the earls and barons of Washington certainly don’t live as if they believe there is a “budget crisis,” or any need for even the most cursory fiscal restraint. The difference, of course, is that the coming fiscal collapse of Washington is very real, unlike “global warming,” and can be easily forecast with a simple spreadsheet, unlike the weather. Ironically, many of the people who believe passionately in the fake crisis of global warming stubbornly refuse to accept the very real federal debt crisis. That’s because the fake crisis is an excuse for making government larger, while dealing with the real crisis would require the unprecedented step of making it smaller.

The Washington Times reports on the lavish expense of memorializing our bureaucratic royalty:


It’s not always easy to tell who’s coming or going as the Obama administration starts its second term, but multiple agencies have quietly commissioned artists to paint official portraits of Cabinet secretaries and other top appointees — an expenditure often seen when officials are on the way out the door or already gone.
The Environmental Protection Agency spent nearly $40,000 on a portrait of Administrator Lisa P. Jackson, while a painting of Air Force Secretary Michael B. Donley will cost $41,200, according to federal purchasing records. The price tag for a 3-by-4-foot oil portrait of Agriculture Department Secretary Thomas J. Vilsack: $22,500.

All told, the government has paid out at least $180,000 for official portraits since last year, according to a review by The Washington Times of spending records at federal agencies and military offices across government.

As the Times points out, this is nothing new; government agencies have been immortalizing our ruling class in this fashion forever. Supposedly the commissioning of such splendid portraits is a sign that the overpaid, over-empowered bureaucrat in question might be on his or her way out. I guess it would look bad if they immediately ordered their majestic imperial portraits immediately upon arrival.

A portrait consultant interviewed by the Times gushed that these paintings are “done for future generations to see how we live now, and it’s really a tribute as well as part of a person’s legacy.” What, the reduced lifestyles our profligate spending and bloated government will impose upon our children aren’t legacy enough? Our recently re-elected President is dropping tens of thousands of dollars of fresh debt upon their heads every year. They’ll remember “how we live now” just fine, without trudging through some dusty gallery of bureaucratic titans. Part of the problem is that “how we live now” will only be a memory for them. It is beyond absurd that our beyond-broke government is paying hundreds of thousands of dollars to lionize the people who made our future so much smaller.http://www.humanevents.com/2012/11/21/enjoy-the-20k-portraits-you-bought-the-ruling-class-for-christmas/


you get what you SUCKERS voted for .. ahahahahahahahahaha

[W*GS]

Care to get schooled again on why manmade global warming isn't "fake"?

[houghtam]

http://www.humanevents.com/2012/11/21/enjoy-the-20k-portraits-you-bought-the-ruling-class-for-christmas/


you get what you SUCKERS voted for .. ahahahahahahahahaha

Psst...your taxes are going to it too! It's worth paying for it just to hear you bitch about it.

ahahahahahahahahaha

[orinjkrush]

pols are leeches. they make a career out of it. library anyone?

[lonestar]

Psst...your taxes are going to it too! It's worth paying for it just to hear you b**** about it.

ahahahahahahahahaha

Yes they are but at least I was smart enough not to be suckered by him and his gang of thugs.

Ahahahahahahahaha

[houghtam]

Yes they are but at least I was smart enough not to be suckered by him and his gang of thugs.

Ahahahahahahahaha

You voted Republican.

Ahahahahahahahahahaha

[ghwk]

You voted Republican.

Ahahahahahahahahahaha

Hilarious!Hilarious!LOL

[El Minion]

Penny wise and dollar foolish; as if a Romney presidency would have done anything different, if any thing re-electing Obama saved money since those officials would have been replaced by Romney officials and new portraits would have been commissioned to replace out-going Obama administration.

[cutthemdown]

Even though this is chump change can't we all agree that doing these for anyone but Presidents seems sort of a waste of money. Maybe famous military people like Stormin Norman. I can see the need for a great painting now and then. After all we don't just think about now, but also 100 yrs from now when it comes to preserving some art and cultural etc etc.

I do agree our private sector probably has that covered.

Whatever though Gore is a joke because he uses so much energy. His line that he buy co2 credits to offset is the most snobby elitist attitude I have seen from a liberal. Ordinary people can't offset so we are supposed to ride our bikes while he jets around in a plane.

[cutthemdown]

Penny wise and dollar foolish; as if a Romney presidency would have done anything different, if any thing re-electing Obama saved money since those officials would have been replaced by Romney officials and new portraits would have been commissioned to replace out-going Obama administration.

No way because Ann Romney would have went out of her way to not travel lavishly on the taxpayer dime. Michelle Obama will probably travel more this term then last. She will make a bucket list and hit the road on your money.

[Rohirrim]

When a Dem is in office the debt becomes a "crisis" and Western Civilization is on the verge of falling. When a Republican is in office, they conveniently don't mention it.

[cutthemdown]

When a Dem is in office the debt becomes a "crisis" and Western Civilization is on the verge of falling. When a Republican is in office, they conveniently don't mention it.

So you don't see dems the same way. As in when a repub in office you don't think dems would complain or point out things in the same way?

You know like Ann Romney spends 300 grand redecorating the bathrooms at the white house, IE Had she became first lady etc etc.

The notion that liberals don't do the same thing is funny. It's not political as much as human nature.

[cutthemdown]

For instance if a repub congressman was under investigation, didn't show up to work, claimed to be bipolar so he could go in the hospital and thwart said investigation, then wins 67% of the vote liberals would be all over that poking fun. Why? because its funny when the other side ****s up. But we do it in all aspects of our life not just politics.

It's just i think humans love irony and like to make fun of it. But when its a group you affiliate yourself with then its not funny so you try and avoid it. But for one side to try and say they are above that and only consider valid points and honest debate is a joke.

[cutthemdown]

Back to important things though i think enough repubs seem willing to let the rich have taxes raised that something is going to get done. They won't do it for nothing which means probably some cuts will be part of it. They may actually get something done.

Now later when Obama tries to make a cap and trade energy bill again, things will get nasty.

[lonestar]

You voted Republican.

Ahahahahahahahahahaha

Did I say that? RIF

[L.A. BRONCOS FAN]

https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc6/9672_497995100222360_993768824_n.jpg

[lonestar]

Bet cartoon boi struck again.

[L.A. BRONCOS FAN]

Bet cartoon boi struck again.

You're too dumb to realize your rustic ass is on the endangered species list. :wave:

[houghtam]

You're too dumb to realize your rustic ass is on the endangered species list. :wave:

He starts a thread about "the ruling class", yet he was the one claiming he was better than everyone else because he has more money.

He's a total dirtbag, and a GOP poster boy: ignorant, xenophobic, uneducated, and thinks because he has a little bit of money, the guys with tons of money are somehow going to improve his lot in life, even though they've been laughing all the way to the bank every time he's voted for them for the past 30 some odd years.

And now he's going to come in and say "YOU DON'T KNOW WHO I VOTED FOR ROBBLEROBBLEROBBLE"

You voted Republican, dude. You voted. Republican. We know it. You know it.

And I laughed. A lot.

[lonestar]

He starts a thread about "the ruling class", yet he was the one claiming he was better than everyone else because he has more money.

He's a total dirtbag, and a GOP poster boy: ignorant, xenophobic, uneducated, and thinks because he has a little bit of money, the guys with tons of money are somehow going to improve his lot in life, even though they've been laughing all the way to the bank every time he's voted for them for the past 30 some odd years.

And now he's going to come in and say "YOU DON'T KNOW WHO I VOTED FOR ROBBLEROBBLEROBBLE"

You voted Republican, dude. You voted. Republican. We know it. You know it.

And I laughed. A lot.

Once again the title of the thread was a direct quote from the article posted.

Once again calling names from the rat pack.

Am I better than you? Not sure i have ever said I was.

Merely spoke what is true and if YOU FEEL less superior than I well I take that as an issue you have with yourself.

I worked hard for my money for a long damned time. I invested wisely got rid of any charge cards I had when they disallowed dedcuting interest and learned to pay cash for stuff other than house and the last time I bought a new car igot zero interest for 6 years. By leaving that money In the market I made several thousand on it.

BTW I made a ton of money investing at the time in CDs for 5 years at 14% while your boy Carter was in power. More than doubled my money when then over the years redoubled several times.

I'm not rich by all means but have little if anything I want for.

So if you feel inferior to me well that is you problem not mine. You too can have the American dream, work hard spend wisely.

As for who voted for none of your business, but I will give you a hint I did not vote for dope and change. BTW on this subject I'm a registered Democrat.

[houghtam]

Am I better than you? Not sure i have ever said I was.

Merely spoke what is true and if YOU FEEL less superior than I well I take that as an issue you have with yourself.

Money money money, blah blah blah, look at me and how much money I have...

I'm not rich by all means but have little if anything I want for.

So if you feel inferior to me well that is you problem not mine. You too can have the American dream, work hard spend wisely.

http://www.orangemane.com/BB/showpost.php?p=3720331&postcount=9

Yes IMO I am superior, making about a hundred grand a year off of investments and have almost zero expenses the houses (2) and cars (3) all paid for. So it is just the day to day expenses such as utilities, real estate taxes insurance on my property.

Sitting here in retirement while y'all are either 47% ters* or busting your balls trying to keep your heads above water. So do I feel superior.. You got me.

So, in summation...you are a douchebag, and **** you. You're not better than anyone, especially not now that everyone sees your complete and utter nincompoopery in action.

[myMind]

So Al Gore is a hypocrite, at least he wants to draw attention to an issue that is unavoidably, empirically true. If all you have to argue is "oh look, he doesn't practice what he preaches," you dont have much of an argument.

[L.A. BRONCOS FAN]

So Al Gore is a hypocrite, at least he wants to draw attention to an issue that is unavoidably, empirically true. If all you have to argue is "oh look, he doesn't practice what he preaches," you dont have much of an argument.

According to right-wing "reasoning," Gore's factual assertions can't be true unless he commutes to speaking engagements via covered wagon.

[myMind]

According to right-wing "reasoning," Gore's factual assertions can't be true unless he commutes to speaking engagements via covered wagon.

That could lead to a rather dull half day of I.V. liquids due to dysentery.

[lonestar]

http://www.orangemane.com/BB/showpost.php?p=3720331&postcount=9



So, in summation...you are a douchebag, and **** you. You're not better than anyone, especially not now that everyone sees your complete and utter nincompoopery in action.

I guess I did say that, so I was wrong in the last post.

I'm really surprised it was that important to you to go look it up.

As I've said many times.

Civility on this forum by the far left blowhards is non existent. When they have nothing worth saying they (YOU) resort to name calling.

I may not or I may be better than members, that is all in your mind. Again for you to worry about it speaks volumes. Last but not least I'll pass on sexual relations with anyone but my spouse.

Ahahahahahahaha

[cutthemdown]

So Al Gore is a hypocrite, at least he wants to draw attention to an issue that is unavoidably, empirically true. If all you have to argue is "oh look, he doesn't practice what he preaches," you dont have much of an argument.

You have a great argument that maybe he doesn't believe it's as bad as he speaks. Otherwise he wouldn't do it.

[cutthemdown]

Whats funny is even with Kyoto Co2 is up 20% more then before Kyoto. The only way to cool the Earth is bioengineering. We will never reduce co2 levels enough to make a difference. We have to inject something into the upper atmosphere.

[W*GS]

Whats funny is even with Kyoto Co2 is up 20% more then before Kyoto. The only way to cool the Earth is bioengineering. We will never reduce co2 levels enough to make a difference. We have to inject something into the upper atmosphere.

It's called geoengineering (not "bioengineering") and you obviously haven't read the literature on the subject.

[L.A. BRONCOS FAN]

L0L!

Good grief - you'd thing cut one and his pals would get tired of embarrassing themselves after awhile (but I guess that would presuppose they're smart enough to realize they're embarrassing themselves.)