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GAO: Millions wasted on gov't cards (for internet dating,lavish dinners,lingerie, etc.)
AP on Yahoo ^ | 4/8/08 | Hope Yen - ap

Posted on 04/08/2008 6:14:57 PM PDT by NormsRevenge

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To: firebrand
If that is true, why is additional tax money going to GAO investigations of this?

Or are the individuals responsible only once they get caught?

I guess the answer is neither, remember the defense department lady who paid for her daughters ten thousand dollar wedding and the one that bought herself a new mustang. Rumsfeld never fired either one as far as I remember.

41 posted on 04/08/2008 6:53:42 PM PDT by org.whodat (What's the difference between a Democrat and a republican????)
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To: NormsRevenge
"Too many government employees have viewed purchase cards as their personal line of credit," said Sen. Norm Coleman...

Sens. Coleman and Levins are two of many tyrants sitting on Capitol Hill. Like George III, against whom Americans fought for independence over two and a quarter centuries ago, they have "erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harass our people and eat out their substance."

The solution to problems in government is always more government. We are no longer being governed; we are being ruled, and only because Americans refused to put their foot down for so many decades. Too many Congress critters view you and me as their own personal lines of credit. And, after all, if the top bananas in Washington can get away with it, then why should their underlings (stupid bureaucrats) give a damn either?

That said, this goes doubly for the State and local governments.

42 posted on 04/08/2008 6:55:38 PM PDT by rabscuttle385 (I have great faith in the American people. I have no faith in the American government, however.)
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To: laconic
We're talking a million employees or more, with the USPS.

And who knows how many middle managers and assistants to assistants to nowhere.

Do you seriously expect a POTUS to address this issue, or even be aware of it?

I'm sure some of these employees have been on the job for 30+ years and are protected by their union.

43 posted on 04/08/2008 6:55:40 PM PDT by HoosierHawk
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To: NormsRevenge
Actual there is a simple fix for this, put all credit card transactions on line, anyone that finds fraud gets 50% of the fraud amount from the assets of the crook former government employee.
44 posted on 04/08/2008 6:58:05 PM PDT by org.whodat (What's the difference between a Democrat and a republican????)
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To: laconic
Think about it when you pay your tax bill next week.

Oh, I will. That's for sure.

45 posted on 04/08/2008 6:59:17 PM PDT by rabscuttle385 (I have great faith in the American people. I have no faith in the American government, however.)
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To: CitizenUSA
The problem is the system itself.

Stealing is as wrong in the public sector as it is in the private sector.

46 posted on 04/08/2008 7:01:52 PM PDT by HoosierHawk
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To: TCats; xzins; P-Marlowe
You are, I think, the exception. My only question is why these cards are needed at all. They look to be an invitation to waste, fraud and abuse. I've worked for a number of very large entities and, with one exception, NEVER had, or needed, a Company Credit Card. Advances and use of my own cards was always sufficient and, at times, my monthly expenses exceeded $20,000.

I'm Army. I have one for government travel. Need it because I'm TDY, and the logistics of settling my lodging & meals is easier than reimbursing me on a travel voucher.

But I use mine very judiciously.

47 posted on 04/08/2008 7:06:01 PM PDT by jude24 (Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?)
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To: org.whodat
Actually, I've had that type of solution in mind for Medicare/Medicaid fraud prevention.

Send the recipient of the services a copy of the claim from the provider and then give VERY generous rewards for those who report fraud. (The rewards funded out of the very Draconian fines levied against offenders)

48 posted on 04/08/2008 7:09:48 PM PDT by TCats
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To: HoosierHawk

It’s only theft if the employee doesn’t pay for the charges. I’m not justifying misuse of the cards, but it’s not surprising giving the millions of government employees and cards out there. It’s just another reason why people should be taking power AWAY from government, not giving it more.


49 posted on 04/08/2008 7:13:40 PM PDT by CitizenUSA (Member of CRAM - Conservative Resigned to Accept McCain)
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To: NormsRevenge

Fire every one, like the private sector would do, no questions asked.


50 posted on 04/08/2008 7:20:00 PM PDT by fedupjohn (If we try to fight the war on terror with eyes shut + ears packed with wax, innocent people will die)
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To: Calpernia; NormsRevenge

Maybe if the lingerie was made of sheer chiffon camouflage? (snicker)


51 posted on 04/08/2008 7:20:57 PM PDT by Liz (Without the brave, there'd be no land of the free. Senator Fred Thompson)
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To: fedupjohn

“Fire every one, like the private sector would do, no questions asked.”

Private companies don’t force every employee to have company credit cards. Granted, the abusers should be fired, but you are going to get a lot of fraud, waste, and abuse in any government program.


52 posted on 04/08/2008 7:24:03 PM PDT by CitizenUSA (Member of CRAM - Conservative Resigned to Accept McCain)
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To: Mad_Tom_Rackham
< img src="">["one credit-card holder bought $360 worth of women's lingerie at Seduccion Boutique for use during jungle training by trainees of a drug enforcement program in Ecuador"

How do you know it wasn't something like this?

53 posted on 04/08/2008 7:24:06 PM PDT by adversarial (the pros and cons of voting for)
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To: jude24

Are you Army JAG. Thought you were a law school student, or did you already graduate?


54 posted on 04/08/2008 7:29:55 PM PDT by SeaHawkFan
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To: TCats; Traveler59
You are, I think, the exception. My only question is why these cards are needed at all. They look to be an invitation to waste, fraud and abuse.

At my last duty station in the Navy back in 2000, all senior enlisted as well as civilian were issued these cards regardless of need or want.

I explained to my supervisor if I was issued the card it would go unused so why issue it. In the end I was told that it was Command policy and it was basically forced on me.

I put the card away in a safe place and left it unused and turned back in when I retired from the Navy. For others, not many, but some, the temptation to abuse the privilege got the better of them.

55 posted on 04/08/2008 7:35:17 PM PDT by Doofer (Carl Cameron Is A Weasel)
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To: Doofer
Thanks.

That is what I was afraid of - That these cards are thrown around willy-nilly and the same people who are issuing them are the ones who are responsible for ensuring that their use is monitored and controlled!

You are right, in many instances it is an invitation to someone to abuse the card, sort of like an attractive nuisance that gets otherwise upright people to go astray.

And this is just the tip of the iceberg!

56 posted on 04/08/2008 7:42:32 PM PDT by TCats
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To: NormsRevenge
This is like Deja vu... It seems every year a report comes out about Government employees using cards to purchase personal items. Isn't that like stealing or fraud? Why are we not arresting and prosecuting these people?
57 posted on 04/08/2008 7:44:58 PM PDT by martinidon
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To: lesser_satan

And this is the fundamental “Two Americas” that should really be discussed: Those that are held accountable, live-or-die by the entrepreneurial spirit, and pay almost all of the taxes.

The recipient, the other Other, has a job that demands mediocrity, cannot be fired, and counts success as generating more paperwork and headaches for others to solve. The taxpayer is his mother’s milk, the government is the teet. He is the bureaucrat driving the Taurus and secretly envies those that can do what he cannot.


58 posted on 04/08/2008 7:52:10 PM PDT by Harrius Magnus (Under BHO/Hildabeast, Conservatives will oppose the left. Under McCain, they will support the left.)
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To: laconic
“And just WHO has been president for the past eight years?”
You think President Bush has any control over these people? These are career government employees who have probably been working for the government through several administrations and have made a career stealing from the tax payers! (and most of these employees are democrats)It doesn't matter who is President or congress these dirt bags will continue to steal from the tax payers forever!
59 posted on 04/08/2008 7:58:07 PM PDT by martinidon
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To: adversarial

Can’t say it wasn’t. But I WAS looking at it from my angle, if you get my meaning. ;O)


60 posted on 04/08/2008 9:14:18 PM PDT by Mad_Tom_Rackham ("The land of the Free...Because of the Brave")
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