“In These Times”?

The News and Observer on Friday exposed the Raleigh City Council for holding a $10,000 welcoming suaree for themselves at the beginning of the new council terms.

While many members expressed shock and regret for splashing that kind of cash on themselves, it seems from their comments that they really only had a problem with it because of the economy — that if things were going well, this type of expense would be just fine.

Raleigh Mayor Chalres Meeker is quoted as saying, “That’s more than it should be, particularly in this economy” (emphasis mine).

Council member Mary-Ann Baldwin added: “”Something like that probably sends the wrong message in these economic times“” (emphasis mine).

So what both of these big spenders agree on, is that this type of  government spending is wrong, but only because of the economy.  If times were good, they’d have no problem with feting themselves on hibachi beef and champagne at taxpayers’ expense.

After all, they were holding the reception in a $225 million taxpayer financed shrine to Downtown Raleigh.