Michele Bachmann flying high during FAA freeze-out

By Mike Mullen Wed., Aug. 3 2011 at 9:27 AM

Bachmann needed to vote against raising the debt ceiling, but not funding the FAA.

Michele Bachmann, like the rest of congress, is on recess during the month of August. Normally, she'd spend recess on the swings or practicing her cheer routines.

But this year, she's running for President of the United States of Iowa, which means she's zooming around on a moment's notice: Last week she had to race back to the Capitol to vote against raising the debt ceiling, and now she's on the way back to campaign in Iowa before the all-important August 13 Ames Straw Poll.

While Bachmann tools around in a high-priced charter jet, she can rely on the service of the Federal Aviation Administration, even though she and the rest of congress forgot to fund the FAA before they went on a break.

Presently, 4,000 FAA employees are furloughed until the agency's funding is restored. Many of those out of a job work in research -- as in, the people trying to make safer, faster airplanes.

Ray Lahood is whining about "safety," but Michele's not interested.

Others, like essential inspectors who make sure the things can actually get in the air and come down without exploding, are working without salary and paying travel expenses out of pocket during the recess.

During the waiting period, the FAA can't even collect taxes, which run about $30 million a day. This is great news for a government that's broke already. You want your Medicare and Social Security? Just ask Delta and American Airlines, they'll help you out.

On Monday, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood urged politicians not to leave Washington, D.C. until FAA funding was in place.

"Members of Congress should not get on a plane to fly home for vacation without passing an FAA bill and putting thousands of people back to work," LaHood said. "Congress needs to do its job for the good of these workers, for the good of our economy and for the good of America's aviation system."

Wrong, Ray. Congress doesn't need to do anything it doesn't care about.

In fairness, the refusal to fund the FAA is the fault of every member of congress, and not just one nutty Minnesotan. But most representatives aren't traveling like Michele Bachmann.

According to her last reports with the Federal Election Comission, Bachmann racked up a huge bill in private jet service from Moby Dick Airways, Ltd., spending more than $75,000 in the short time between mid-June and the end of July.

Huh, that's funny. Bachmann hasn't paid that debt yet, either. So she's flying in a plane she didn't pay for, and getting service from FAA employees she's not paying, either.

Michele Bachmann: She's just like you, America.

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Kirk the Conservative Jerk

"congress forgot to fund the FAA before they went on a break"

Ya, what about the fact congress forgot to pass a budget last year even though the law entails they do so?Must be typical of the party in power.

BTW, we are loading up a bus. Destination Iowa Straw Poll.

gennut

Mike Mullen can hardly call himself a serious writer after reading this collection of contradictions and fiction. "President of the United States of Iowa"

Since when has Iowa every had states or a President? He blames Michele Bachmann for not paying FAA workers, yet says, "Infairness, the refusal to fund the FAA is the fault of every member of congress" According to Mr. Mullen FAA workers are on furlough, yet he says, Michele Bachman is flying on planes and gettingservice from FAA employees she's not paying. So which is it? As far as racking up bill from flying, what would one expect from a working congress woman who is a candidate for the Presidency of the United States. He himself admits she is committed to her job in Washington, while campaigning at the same time, when he says, "Last week she had to race back to the Capitol to vote against raising the debt ceiling, and nowshe's on the way back to campaign in Iowa before the all-important August 13 Ames Straw Poll. He also says, "But most representatives aren't traveling like MicheleBachmann." "Members of Congress should not get on a plane to fly home forvacation “” How do you suppose they getting home to their districts, walking? Mr. Mullen is right about one thing though. "Michele Bachmann: She's just like you, America." She fed up with what's going on in this country. She hears your voice and she wants to take your voice to the White House. The current Administration thinks American's are like Homer Simpson and easily manipulated. But in the election of 2012 in the Peoples election and we will show this government who the boss is. Michele Bachmann has the character, principles and values of our founding fathers. Her resume and her references are stellar. She is the American Patriot that American's have been waiting to vote for. Mr. Mullen, next time you try to trash our PATRIOT, get the facts.

bill.e.goat

Hahahahahahaha..."Her resume and her references are stellar." Hahahahahahaha...oh wait a sec...hahahahahaha...excuse me that was rich. Her resume is garbage, can you name any successful legislation that this woman has authored? I didn't think so. As for her references I wouldn't want to mention Bradlee Dean and Peter LaBarbera those guys really know what America needs! Michele is completely out of touch with reality and couldn't run this country for a week...hell she can't even complete her FEC forms competently.

Sallygino

For the first time in my life I will be asking for a Republican ballot to vote for Michele Bachmann. She makes me believe in America again. I can't wait to get an intelligent woman in the White House. Michigan will go for Bachmann!

bill.e.goat

Oh Sallygino, you will be waiting a LOOOOONG time for an INTELLIGENT woman in the White House.

Greg

So,, on top of all else,, She's a world class DEADBEAT !!

Blue dog dem

A former federal tax attorney, mother to five, and foster mother to 23, Michele's story is uniquely American. From humble beginnings in Waterloo, Iowa, to the halls of the U.S. Congress, she has built the experience necessary to lead our nation forward.