Hastert paid to do nothing

Call it another form of wingnut welfare, if you will.

Republican former House Speaker Dennis Hastert presided over the congressional culture of corruption of several years ago. The House under Hastert was known for being perhaps the most useless, corrupt, fascist, incompetent bunch of fartpipes ever to set foot in the Capitol (its only competition being the Newt fiasco of the '90s).

So I guess it's better now that the taxpayers are paying him to do nothing instead of serve in the House.

Over the past 2 years, Hastert has squandered about $1,000,000 in taxpayer money on an office and staff near his home in Chicago's posh exurbs. This is a perk awarded to former House Speakers.

Part of this tab covers the cost of a hulking, gas-guzzling SUV he leases from his friend's dealership. It also covered the $618 cost of transporting a clock from Washington.

What the hell does Dennis Hastert do with his taxpayer-funded post-congressional office? The office is little more than a monument to himself, containing autographed gavels and photos of Hastert hobnobbing with Bush. It's not even clear that the former congressman actually does anything with this office.

The office seems to be nothing but a tribute to Hastert's bruised ego built on the taxpayers' dime.

This after Hastert voted to slash welfare for poor families.

(Source: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/ct-met-use-this-hastert-0218-20100217,0,640306.story)