Illinois Republican Rep. Aaron Schock has resigned after a rather bizarre few weeks. He caused something of a national sensation when his office was decked out like a study at Downton Abbey. He was then accused of spending like of Robert Crawley, Earl of Grantham. Schock resigned effective March 31 after weeks of controversy over his lavish spending from government and campaign accounts. It is a cautionary tale for other members. You might want to stick with those government issued desks and pictures of the Washington Monument at the office.
Schock drew attention for his office remake to look like the set of Downton Abbey. The more serious issue however were allegations of personal expenses and questionable reimbursements made on congressional and campaign accounts.
Schock has faced mounting accusations of using taxpayer dollars for personal expenses and claiming questionable reimbursements. This included thousands of dollars in private air charters with donor-owned planes.
It is not clear to me how serious some of these allegations were from the limited news accounts. The dealings with donors are not necessarily violations under federal law or congressional rules unless they were quid pro quo arrangements or used to convert public funds into campaign contributions. There is no indication of a federal criminal investigation.
Schock issued the following statement:
“Serving the people of the 18th District is the highest and greatest honor I have had in my life. I thank them for their faith in electing me and letting me represent their interests in Washington. … But the constant questions over the last six weeks have proven a great distraction that has made it too difficult for me to serve the people of the 18th District with the high standards that they deserve and which I have set for myself.”
This would appear the end of Schock’s political ambitions which is a remarkable turn around for a once promising Republican member. Yet, as Violet Crawley, Dowager Countess of Grantham, advised “Don’t be defeatist, dear. It’s very middle class.”
Are you upset because he squandered taxpayer money? Or is it because he’s a Republican? Jesse Jackson and his family have squandered Illinois funds, Bagonivich (spelling?) did, The Daley family were so corrupt and squandered money. So what’s new?
This guy is another corrupt politician and should be punished, but he’s only doing what’s been done for years. In fact, this sort of thing is going on in Washington, DC right now. So I think his getting caught has something to do with the party he belongs to. Each party re good at ripping opposing party people apart.
Let’s see, I think it was Jesus who said, “Whoever is without sin, should throw the first stone.”
IA, seriously? Nobody cares. Everyone knows the government exists to enhance the characteristics and quality of YOUR life. To simply facilitate freedom comprehensively was never the mandate. Every dream of YOURS was to be fulfilled and every complaint of YOURS rectified by the creation of governance.
Freedom and Self-Reliance were never uttered by the founders.
“You’re So Vain”
CARLY SIMON
You walked into the party like you were walking onto a yacht
Your hat strategically dipped below one eye
Your scarf it was apricot
You had one eye in the mirror as you watched yourself gavotte
And all the girls dreamed that they’d be your partner
They’d be your partner, and…
You’re so vain, you probably think this song is about you
You’re so vain, I’ll bet you think this song is about you
Don’t you? don’t you?
…
This guy should go. I’m from Ma. and our former Governor(Patrick) spent a lot more on his office when he moved in and he got re-elected!
Am I the only one who knows that the TV show was “Downton Abbey,” not “Downtown Abbey” ????
@ AMartel
seriously? you actually believe Palin killed her political career to save taxpayers a few $’s? The lady who wanted to waste over $50 million build a the “bridge to nowhere” all of a sudden was concerned about taxpayers? ROFL! How could anyone actually be that naïve?
As for Vitter, admitting to sinning may work with the fundamentalist crowd, but with prostitution being illegal, simply put, he is a criminal. That he got away with it or was more astute politician for getting away with a crime should scare even his supporters. And from a moral standpoint, dragging his wife stand up with him at that press conference was deplorable.
btw – before commenting on safe seats and possible reasons for quitting, one might have checked Schock’s district – which even Willard Romney won the district 61-37 in 2014. We’ll likely end up with another farmer living off gov’t crop subsidies who will then scream about everyone else getting a free ride.
Palin likely quit so she could make a boatload of money off Faux news low information viewers. She may not have clue on foreign policy and maybe the least read major party VP candidate in history, but she sure knew how to market herself.
Pete:
De plane! De plane! Oops, wrong island:
http://youtu.be/1x_QbVDlLbI
Orgy Island? Is that anywhere near Gilligan’s Island? If it is and Dawn Wells is there I’m in.
“Just sit right back and you’ll see a tail, the tail of a …” (you get the idea)
I look forward to the day of no more crooked Repubs
http://youtu.be/rY0WxgSXdEE