Sedan Chairs and Litter Bearers

The lectica, a kind of portable bed, originated in the East. Initially the Romans viewed it as a symbol of decadence, but it became an increasingly popular mode of transportation for the well-to-do in the late Republic. In the imperial period, elaborately decorated litters were fashionable...In the country and for long journeys, wealthy aristocrats of both sexes preferred this mode of travel to wheeled carriages, which offered no protection from the discomforts of uneven roads. From the Internet

Taxpayer-funded congressional travel is up 1000% since 1995. It might not sound like good news during our sinking economic times, but it's for our benefit...just ask Congress. According to a July 2, 2009 WSJ article:

"Lawmakers say that the trips are a good use of government funds because they allow members of Congress and their staff members to learn more about the world, inspect U.S. assets abroad and forge better working relationships with each other."

Remember back in November 2008, during the automaker bailout hearings? Members of Congress criticized the "Big Three" CEOs for owning corporate jets while receiving taxpayer money. The anti-corporate jet backlash didn't help manufacturing in the US as corporate jet manufacturers lost business and eliminated many manufacturing jobs.

Meanwhile, President Obama flies around in a $325 million aircraft, Michelle takes a European vacation, Nancy Pelosi doesn't want a refueling stop when she commutes to home from Washington, D.C., and congressional delegations travel the world--all on the taxpayer dime. Why is it ok for government officials to have fancy rides at taxpayer expense, when it wasn't for corporate CEOs?

Recently 10 members of Congress, some accompanied by spouses, took an 11 day trip to New Zealand, Australia, and Antarctica over New Year's to investigate first hand the effects of climate change. The trip cost taxpayers over $500K. An August 8, 2009 WSJ article describes the junket:

"'The trip we made was more valuable than 100 hearings,' said Rep. Baird, its leader. 'Are there members of Congress who take trips somewhat recreationally? Perhaps. Is this what this trip was about? Absolutely not.'

"The knowledge gained is 'profoundly important to how I do this job,' added Mr. Baird, who at the time headed the House Science Committee's subcommittee on research and science education."

On the last day of their trip, the group investigated the effects of climate change first hand in Hawaii.

Why Walk When You Can Ride in Style?

William Smith's 1875 A Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquities describes the litter ridden in by wealthy Romans as they traveled in style:

[The ancient Roman lectica] "had a roof consisting of a large piece of skin or leather expanded over it and supported by four posts, and the sides also were covered with curtains...The whole lectica was of an oblong form, and the person carried in it lay on a bed, and the head was supported by a pillow, so that he might read and write in it with ease...The frame-work, as well as the other appurtenances, were, with wealthy persons, probably of the most costly description. The lectica, when standing, rested on four feet, generally made of wood. Persons were carried in a lectica by slaves (lecticarii) by means of poles (asseres) attached to it, but not fixed, so that they might easily be taken off when necessary."

Apparently many in Congress are fans of a similar mode of transport for themselves. Our "leading government officials" apparently aren't satisfied with publicly-subsidized air travel on commercial aircraft where they might have to rub shoulders with the hoi polloi.

The House voted on July 30, 2009 to double from four to eight the number of business-class passenger jets to buy to ferry senior government and military officials around the globe in a defense appropriations bill, HR3326. The bill includes money to purchase three Gulfstream G550s at a cost of roughly $65 million each. An August 7, 2009 WSJ article explained:

"The purchases will help accommodate a growing travel demand by congressional officials" using taxpayer money. (Italicized clarification added.)

A Gulfstream website description of the G550 would appeal to litter-riding Romans:

The G550 "is a brawny aircraft with an international reach. Powered by enhanced Rolls-Royce BR710 turbofan engines, the G550 has a range of 6,750 nm at Mach 0.80 and a high-speed cruise capability of Mach 0.87. With its long legs, the G550 easily links Washington, D.C., with Dubai, London with Singapore and Tokyo with Paris."

"The cabin aboard the G550 combines productivity with exceptional comfort. It features up to four distinct living areas, three temperature zones, a choice of 12 floor plan configurations with seating for up to 18 passengers. Maintaining contact with the home office is easy thanks to a host of standard communication features: a fax machine, a printer, a wireless local area network and satellite communications. As an option, consider Gulfstream's Broad Band Multi Link, which combines fast Internet-connection speeds with low operating costs."

Who Bears the Litter?

In ancient Rome, wealthy Romans kept certain slaves solely as their lecticarii (litter-bearers), and generally selected the tallest, strongest, and most handsome men, always well dressed. Ancient Rome didn't have the advantages of our technology which allows our leaders to travel the globe in air-conditioned comfort isolated from everyday people. Rome's best needed sweaty human beings to carry them in their travels, so they made sure their beasts of burden were at least physically attractive.

"The lectica was generally preceded by a slave called anteambulo, whose office was to make room for it." In America today, they are called the police or the secret service.

"The number of lecticarii employed in carrying one lectica varied according to its size, and the display of wealth which a person might wish to make. The ordinary number was probably two, but it varied from two to eight, and the lectica is called hexaphoron or octophoron, accordingly as it was carried by six or eight persons."

Today taxpayers bear the burden of transporting their government leaders. But just as ancient Romans feared a slave revolt, the American public must be appeased for a similar reason. An August 10, 2009 WSJ article describes building opposition in the Senate to a plan to spend $550 million in taxpayer money as the public became aware of the planned bizjet purchases. Chairman of the Defense Appropriations subcommittee, Rep. John Murtha (D) offered to eliminate the additional planes from the bill. The Gulfstream 550s might not be purchased yet after all. Meanwhile there's no discussion in the media of the over $600 billion in other spending in the bill.

An August 10, 2009 WSJ article relates the mixed feelings legislators have about being caught spending money like ancient Roman aristocrats:

"While some legislators take issue with the pricey new aircraft that would ferry officials around, they still see merit in the trips themselves. Politicians from both sides of the aisle have publicly defended their far-flung forays, which they say strengthens relations with foreign leaders, gives them a first-hand look at how U.S. funds are being spent overseas and allows them to speak directly with battlefield commanders and troops."

Congressional hypocrites, including Sen John McCain (R) and Republican leader John Boehner, made obligatory statements opposing the funding for the jets. According to the August 10, 2009 WSJ article, the day after the House began its summer holiday, Mr. Boehner and five other lawmakers departed for a two-week trip around the globe, while McCain is scheduled for a weeklong trip:

"The goal of the trip, which will include stops in Germany, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Mongolia and China, was to discuss issues surrounding the global economic crisis and national security with government and private-sector officials in those countries. At least some of the lawmakers took their spouses, which they are allowed to do under House rules for 'protocol' purposes.

"After visiting Asia, the delegation is scheduled to fly to Vancouver before returning to Washington in mid-August, according to the travel document and the aide.

"This month, Mr. McCain is scheduled to leave with a group of senators for a weeklong trip to Libya, Kuwait, Iraq, Yemen, Afghanistan and Iceland. A spokeswoman for Sen. McCain didn't respond to calls or emails for comment about the trip.

"Sen. Patrick Leahy (D., Vt.), Sen. Judd Gregg (R., N.H.) and other senators and their spouses are planning to travel to the U.K. for the week before the Senate reconvenes after Labor Day. The purpose of the trip, according to a spokeswoman for Sen. Gregg, is an annual meeting with members of the British Parliament."

Isn't the weight of the litter already too heavy? Isn't it time Americans throw this litter in the trash?