"Fully Loaded Required": How Politicians Score Sweet Rides

Edward Niedermeyer
by Edward Niedermeyer

You’d think that a place with “taxation without representation” on its license plates would pay close attention to fiscal decisions, but according to a fascinating Washington Post story, when it comes to cars, all bets are off. District of Columbia Council Chairman Kwame Brown has claimed for months that his leased Lincoln Navigator was simply issued to him by the District, but thanks to a Freedom of Information Act request, it has been discovered that Brown simply bullied his way into a $1,900/month “fully loaded” Navigator lease that had to be sourced all the way from Kansas City.

The story might just seem aggravating if you may be asked to pay for D.C.’s $440m budget shortfall, but it’s also a fascinating insight into government vehicle sourcing. We’ve covered some strange government vehicle purchases before, but we’ve never before seen exactly how politicians go about securing their unnecessarily flash rides. The key: just insist on the best and don’t take no for an answer. Read the whole thing. [Hat Tip: Brady Holt]

Edward Niedermeyer
Edward Niedermeyer

More by Edward Niedermeyer

Comments
Join the conversation
4 of 48 comments
  • Dave-the-rave Dave-the-rave on Feb 23, 2011

    This would have made for a great sketch on 'Chapelle's Show.'

  • MarkMQD MarkMQD on Feb 23, 2011

    This post is great, people in politics should not get cars like this paid for by us.

  • JMII JMII on Feb 23, 2011

    While he was at it he should have asked for a matching Jetski and a helicopter too... since clearly he gets whatever he wants. Must have been fun at his house Christmas morning. They should have given him an SUV that the police got during a drug bust. Those are free.

  • Gator marco Gator marco on Feb 23, 2011

    First time I saw a Navigator, back in the 1990's, I wondered what kind of moron would actually believe that a gussied up F-150 could be "luxurious." There is nothing wrong with making your work vehicle comfortable, but luxury and pickup don't go together. After reading the article, I see that policitians are the suckers who fall for such nonsense, and taxpayers are the ones paying the bill.

Next