Could someone please tell me why the taxpayers of the United States of America needed to foot the bill to send Laura Bush to the space shuttle launch this morning?

I saw her there on NasaTV as I watched the launch. On the Internet. For free. She didn’t have any official function to perform. There is no “gentlemen, start your engines” equivalent for a shuttle launch. She was just a spectator. And she didn’t even bring cookies.

The last time we tried to launch the antiquated shuttle, we spent more than $73,000 to send a Congressional delegation to view the launch. The launch never occurred, so it turned out to be a nice day trip at the expense of the taxpayers.

We again likely spent the equivalent of poverty-line salaries for three Americans so that the elite Members of Congress could view the launch for real this time. “The spectators also included members of Congress…”

Let me spell this out:

I AM SICK OF PAYING FOR POLITICIANS TO FLY PLACES TO SEE THINGS WHEN THEY CAN QUITE SIMPLY WATCH THEM ON TV FOR FREE LIKE THE REST OF US REGULAR SUCKERS.

There. That feels better.

Laura Bush, Members of Congress, and other members of the ruling elite: Keep your asses in Washington doing the work of the people, or go the hell home!

That is all.