Rick Perry Does Not Get It.

[Roadtoad]

Must be nice... (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100517/ap_on_re_us/us_texas_governor_temporary_mansion)

With the state facing a budget shortfall of at least $11 billion, Texas Gov. Rick Perry has spent almost $600,000 in public money during the past two years to live in a sprawling rental home in the hills above the capital, according to records obtained by The Associated Press.

It costs more than $10,000 a month in rent, utilities and upkeep to house Perry in a five-bedroom, seven-bath mansion that has pecan-wood floors, a gourmet kitchen and three dining rooms. Perry has also spent $130,000 in campaign donations to throw parties, buy food and drink, and pay for cable TV and a host of other services since he moved in, the records show.

And Republicans don't understand when we tell them "YOU DON'T GET IT!"

[coalesce]

It's always wrong when the OTHER guy does it.

Michael

[Roadtoad]

It's always wrong when the OTHER guy does it.

Michael

It would be wrong if I did it, too.

[quixotecoyote]

Al Gore!

Rarrrr

[trvlr2]

Mr. Gore is charging the public for his housing?

[theprestige]

It would be wrong if I did it, too.
Unless, of course, your constituents found it to be an acceptable use of public funds.

I imagine if the good people of Texas take issue with keeping their governor in the manner to which he as become accustomed, they'll take it up with him through the usual means.

Personally, not being a voting resident of Texas, I don't really see that there's anything to "get". But if I did want to get it, I'd probably start by asking some Texans for their opinions. It may be that Texas republicans in general feel that this is an appropriate level of spending for the governor, and wouldn't object even if it were a Democrat doing it.

But like I said, it's not really my business, so there's nothing for me to "get". I don't expect Texans to very much "get" California politics, either.

[theprestige]

Mr. Gore is charging the public for his housing?
Even worse: Mr. Gore is raping the planet for his housing.

And by his own principles, his constituency is far broader than Perry's, extending forward in time to generations yet unborn.

[eeyore1954]

I am sure you could easily find examples of seemingly lavish expenditures by democrats also.

It seems a little high but is that out of bounds for a makeshift Govenors mansion.

[ponderingturtle]

Why doesn't Texas have an actual Governors Mansion? Hell NYC has an official residence for it Mayor, why can't a state do the same?

Now if this is instead of the Governors mansion, then it seems way over the top.

[Darth Rotor]

Why doesn't Texas have an actual Governors Mansion? Hell NYC has an official residence for it Mayor, why can't a state do the same?

Now if this is instead of the Governors mansion, then it seems way over the top.
It does have a Governor's mansion. There was a fire. It is under renovation. No further comment on The Hair's living arrangements.

DR

[Dorian Gray]

Even worse: Mr. Gore is raping the planet for his housing.

And by his own principles, his constituency is far broader than Perry's, extending forward in time to generations yet unborn. Are you inventing Argumentum ad Comparisum, the fallacy of arguing that when something bad is compared to something worse it makes the bad thing good?

(because I just did)

[KingMerv00]

Unless, of course, your constituents found it to be an acceptable use of public funds.

I imagine if the good people of Texas take issue with keeping their governor in the manner to which he as become accustomed, they'll take it up with him through the usual means.

Personally, not being a voting resident of Texas, I don't really see that there's anything to "get". But if I did want to get it, I'd probably start by asking some Texans for their opinions. It may be that Texas republicans in general feel that this is an appropriate level of spending for the governor, and wouldn't object even if it were a Democrat doing it.

But like I said, it's not really my business, so there's nothing for me to "get". I don't expect Texans to very much "get" California politics, either.

A careful and nuanced answer when a conservative is involved.

Even worse: Mr. Gore is raping the planet for his housing.

And by his own principles, his constituency is far broader than Perry's, extending forward in time to generations yet unborn.

A hyperbolic and sarcastic answer when a liberal is involved.

[theprestige]

A careful and nuanced answer when a conservative is involved.



A hyperbolic and sarcastic answer when a liberal is involved.

An excellent observation.

I'm fine either way, only, let's agree, one way or the other. Rick Perry is a symbol of all that is wrong with Republicans, and Al Gore is a thrice-damned earth-raping fiend, or... Roadtoad got a little carried away in his OP.

ETA: Put it another way: I'm willing to consider Roadtoad's careful and nuanced answer regarding Al Gore, if he's willing to consider mine regarding Rick Perry.

[Alareth]

Why doesn't Texas have an actual Governors Mansion? Hell NYC has an official residence for it Mayor, why can't a state do the same?

Now if this is instead of the Governors mansion, then it seems way over the top.

There was a 4 alarm fire in the mansion in 2008, arson suspected but no suspects or arrests have ever been announced. Perry and his wife were not in residence at the time having moved out in 2007 while a $10 million maintenance project was performed.

The Mansion currently is undergoing a $22 million restoration which includes $11 million in Federal Stimulus Funds (http://www.statesman.com/news/content/news/stories/local/05/22/0522mansion.html)

[shemp]

Even worse: Mr. Gore is raping the planet for his housing.


So, he goes beyond tree-hugging?

[Alferd_Packer]

Every time I see Rick Perry's name I think of Steve Perry.

Don't Stop . . Believin. . .

[ponderingturtle]

There was a 4 alarm fire in the mansion in 2008, arson suspected but no suspects or arrests have ever been announced. Perry and his wife were not in residence at the time having moved out in 2007 while a $10 million maintenance project was performed.

The Mansion currently is undergoing a $22 million restoration which includes $11 million in Federal Stimulus Funds (http://www.statesman.com/news/content/news/stories/local/05/22/0522mansion.html)

So this does not seem that unreasonable then.

[NoZed Avenger]

So, he goes beyond tree-hugging?



Fair warning:

The first person to make a joke involving "wood" gets shanked.

[quixotecoyote]

Let's just say his prison name is "the woodchipper"

[MikeMangum]

Yes, this is temporary arrangement, but it seems ridiculously expensive to me.

[ponderingturtle]

Yes, this is temporary arrangement, but it seems ridiculously expensive to me.

So you are against such fancy mansions as the white house? The Obama's should get some small apartment somewhere?

Official dinners and such are a part of being governor so he needs a space to do these things. This space is expensive.

Governors mansions are just one of the thing about being governor.

[mortimer]

Perry's rent is about 8 times what I pay for rent here in Austin. My family of 3 lives in a modest 3-bedroom 1100 sq. ft. house on a small lot about 15 minutes' drive from downtown. I don't really consider the Governor Good Hair's place extravagant, but many in Austin (a fairly liberal town) are up in arms about it. I'm surprised it's that cheap, actually.

[theprestige]

At $10,000/month, I think he's paying less per square foot in rent than I'm paying per square foot on my mortgage.

Even accounting for the difference in property values between Texas and southern California, Perry may actually be getting a good deal.

[rwguinn]

At $10,000/month, I think he's paying less per square foot in rent than I'm paying per square foot on my mortgage.

Even accounting for the difference in property values between Texas and southern California, Perry may actually be getting a good deal.
Considering a decent 1BR apartment goes for over $700/month, and doesn't include any staff (Does the 10K include cook, maid, butler, etc?) it ain't a bad deal at all...

[MikeMangum]

So you are against such fancy mansions as the white house? The Obama's should get some small apartment somewhere?

Official dinners and such are a part of being governor so he needs a space to do these things. This space is expensive.

Governors mansions are just one of the thing about being governor.

There is a difference between buying and renting.

[rwguinn]

There is a difference between buying and renting.
No sense of humor and can't read. So I will take you through it, slowly.
There was a FIRE (You know-flames, melting, destruction, water damage) at the place the State owns. It is being repaired. That takes time. Even Republican need to sleep once in a while, so he needs a place to do that. With a roof, and some room to eat, and probably a bathroom (yes, conservatives shower and bathe on occasion.)
He has a family. They also need a place to eat, sleep, and poop. It is not a requirement that he be kept separated from his wife, kids, and pets.
Need I go on. FIRE by arson (probably a damn Liburl pot-smoker) caused the situation. Better to RENT, rather than buy, a temporary place for the Hair. What's the owner supposed to do? Give it to him?
(Considering that folks are asking (and getting) $1200/DAY for 2 bedroom places during Superbowl at Cowboy Stadium, it's cheap)

[Roadtoad]

I have no problem with a state governor having an appropriate residence to the position. And while Texas does provide one for it's chief exec, I'm looking at the expense of this in light of the state's deficit and asking if this is even smart at this juncture. To my mind, no. I think this is excessive.

Then again, we've had decades of fights regarding our Governor's residency, (the old Governor's mansion was last inhabited by Ronald Reagan, and we've had nothing but fights over this in the years since.) Solutions here in California have been proposed, but our divided Legislature can't seem to come up with something acceptable to anyone, particularly the voters.