Taxes and Ethics on C Street
April 1, 2010 10:30 AM Subscribe
When is paying $950/month for a bedroom in a boarding house potentially tax evasion and an ethics violation? When you're a congressman living at the C Street House in Washington D.C., where the going rates for similar accommodations is typically four times that amount. Citizens For Responsibility and Ethics In Washington (CREW) has filed official complaints with both houses of Congress. Rachel Maddow covers the scandal on her show. [Transcript here -- it's the lead story on this page.]
I think I'm all out of anger for the day. Can I get angry about this tomorrow?
posted by notmydesk at 10:42 AM on April 1, 2010 [8 favorites]
posted by notmydesk at 10:42 AM on April 1, 2010 [8 favorites]
The only scandal is that members of Congress, who control trillions of dollars of wealth, are paid so poorly that they need to shack up like college kids -- and that's if they aren't forced to sleep in their offices.
posted by effugas at 10:43 AM on April 1, 2010 [4 favorites]
posted by effugas at 10:43 AM on April 1, 2010 [4 favorites]
Really the only chance we have is to force every elected official to provide a spreadsheet of every transaction in which they were involved. There will be two columns:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| 1. What they paid (or were paid) for a service | 2. What a common person would have paid (or receive) |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
posted by 2bucksplus at 10:44 AM on April 1, 2010 [3 favorites]
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
| 1. What they paid (or were paid) for a service | 2. What a common person would have paid (or receive) |
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
posted by 2bucksplus at 10:44 AM on April 1, 2010 [3 favorites]
"But they make six figures!"
Yes. But you're asking them to maintain two homes, one of which is in one of the most expensive markets in the country. Holy crap, $950/mo for a bedroom? And the going rate is apparently $3800/mo? FOR A BEDROOM?
posted by effugas at 10:45 AM on April 1, 2010 [3 favorites]
Yes. But you're asking them to maintain two homes, one of which is in one of the most expensive markets in the country. Holy crap, $950/mo for a bedroom? And the going rate is apparently $3800/mo? FOR A BEDROOM?
posted by effugas at 10:45 AM on April 1, 2010 [3 favorites]
Seriously? $174,000/year is paid poorly? I thought the median income for the US was around $50,000 for a family. Being paid over 3x that doesn't seem like college kid funding to me.
posted by hippybear at 10:45 AM on April 1, 2010 [11 favorites]
posted by hippybear at 10:45 AM on April 1, 2010 [11 favorites]
I'm completely willing to believe that this is fishy. However, I have to say that, even in DC, $950 is not ureasonable for a shared house. That first article is a bit misleading, because it references rates for hotel rooms ad efficiencies - obviously it's going to be cheaper to rent a room in a house than to rent a whole apartment or to stay in a hotel.
posted by lunasol at 10:46 AM on April 1, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by lunasol at 10:46 AM on April 1, 2010 [1 favorite]
With a name like The Family, can we at least have a motion to retitle the building "The D.C. Spahn Ranch?"
posted by adipocere at 10:47 AM on April 1, 2010 [2 favorites]
posted by adipocere at 10:47 AM on April 1, 2010 [2 favorites]
Calling Charlie Rangel - http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/11/nyregion/11rangel.html
posted by otto42 at 10:49 AM on April 1, 2010
posted by otto42 at 10:49 AM on April 1, 2010
"It‘s particularly awkward given all the wacka-chika-wacka going on there—particularly awkward was the fact that C Street was, for tax purposes, listed as a church."
Wacka-chika-wacka haha.
Here‘s the rub—if you or me or a member of Congress was paying that kind of way below market rate for their housing you have to tell the IRS that. It‘s income. They call it imputed income. If you were, say, paying $1,000 to live somewhere and the actual fair market value of that place was $2,000 a month, you‘d have to report that
So if I were crashing at my friend's place while looking for a place of my own (for six months or so) and covered the utilities as a thank you for about six months, I would have to report that to the IRS?
posted by anniecat at 10:50 AM on April 1, 2010
Wacka-chika-wacka haha.
Here‘s the rub—if you or me or a member of Congress was paying that kind of way below market rate for their housing you have to tell the IRS that. It‘s income. They call it imputed income. If you were, say, paying $1,000 to live somewhere and the actual fair market value of that place was $2,000 a month, you‘d have to report that
So if I were crashing at my friend's place while looking for a place of my own (for six months or so) and covered the utilities as a thank you for about six months, I would have to report that to the IRS?
posted by anniecat at 10:50 AM on April 1, 2010
However, I have to say that, even in DC, $950 is not ureasonable for a shared house.
On C street though?
posted by phrontist at 10:50 AM on April 1, 2010
On C street though?
posted by phrontist at 10:50 AM on April 1, 2010
Take a look at the book, The Family... This is a lot bigger than just cheap rent...
posted by njohnson23 at 10:51 AM on April 1, 2010 [3 favorites]
posted by njohnson23 at 10:51 AM on April 1, 2010 [3 favorites]
The only scandal is that members of Congress, who control trillions of dollars of wealth, are paid so poorly that they need to shack up like college kids -- and that's if they aren't forced to sleep in their offices.
If I had $174K in salary, not only could I pay for a 1 bedroom here in DC, but I could also pay a mortgage on a house in the boondocks where most of them come from. A lot of the Congresspeople live in really fancy places here and maintain their own homes elsewhere, without any problem. They have maintained a higher than average quality of life doing what they do.
posted by anniecat at 10:54 AM on April 1, 2010 [1 favorite]
If I had $174K in salary, not only could I pay for a 1 bedroom here in DC, but I could also pay a mortgage on a house in the boondocks where most of them come from. A lot of the Congresspeople live in really fancy places here and maintain their own homes elsewhere, without any problem. They have maintained a higher than average quality of life doing what they do.
posted by anniecat at 10:54 AM on April 1, 2010 [1 favorite]
I'm a wild-eyed Dem. I live in DC. $950 a month is expensive for what they describe. This is bullshit.
posted by Ironmouth at 10:54 AM on April 1, 2010 [4 favorites]
posted by Ironmouth at 10:54 AM on April 1, 2010 [4 favorites]
Not that the tenant list isn't just a complete litany of thieves and assholes, but they're paying around market value.
posted by The White Hat at 10:55 AM on April 1, 2010
posted by The White Hat at 10:55 AM on April 1, 2010
hippybear--
Two homes, one in one of the most expensive markets in the country. And if you're going to rise to the point that you become a Senator or Representative in your first home, then life was already pretty expensive for you. This new position is almost guaranteed to be a pay cut -- so life was already expensive, just got more expensive, and your income has dropped.
So you sleep in your office. Something like seven senators and 40+ representatives do.
lunasol--
Ding ding ding.
posted by effugas at 10:55 AM on April 1, 2010
Two homes, one in one of the most expensive markets in the country. And if you're going to rise to the point that you become a Senator or Representative in your first home, then life was already pretty expensive for you. This new position is almost guaranteed to be a pay cut -- so life was already expensive, just got more expensive, and your income has dropped.
So you sleep in your office. Something like seven senators and 40+ representatives do.
lunasol--
Ding ding ding.
posted by effugas at 10:55 AM on April 1, 2010
However, I have to say that, even in DC, $950 is not ureasonable for a shared house.
I agree it's fishy, too (mostly in regard to the house/church's non-exempt tax status), but yeah, it would have been a lot better if they compared the average cost of renting 1 room in a multiple-bedroom apartment/house than compared it to 1BR apartments.
In SF (with serious rent control), I think you can still find a shared room in a larger apartment for $600-800. $3,000-$4,000 for a 5BR apartment doesn't seem ridiculous (depending on the 'hood, naturally).
Take a look at the book, The Family... This is a lot bigger than just cheap rent...
Definitely But what's the big deal about this story? Is the appeal to remove C Street's tax-exempt status. I can't see most "normal" folks mustering much outrage here.
Good question, anniecat. Oh lord, I hate US tax law.
posted by mrgrimm at 10:55 AM on April 1, 2010
I agree it's fishy, too (mostly in regard to the house/church's non-exempt tax status), but yeah, it would have been a lot better if they compared the average cost of renting 1 room in a multiple-bedroom apartment/house than compared it to 1BR apartments.
In SF (with serious rent control), I think you can still find a shared room in a larger apartment for $600-800. $3,000-$4,000 for a 5BR apartment doesn't seem ridiculous (depending on the 'hood, naturally).
Take a look at the book, The Family... This is a lot bigger than just cheap rent...
Definitely But what's the big deal about this story? Is the appeal to remove C Street's tax-exempt status. I can't see most "normal" folks mustering much outrage here.
Good question, anniecat. Oh lord, I hate US tax law.
posted by mrgrimm at 10:55 AM on April 1, 2010
It's not just a room in a house. It has full housekeeping and meals. It's akin to living in a hotel.
posted by GuyZero at 10:58 AM on April 1, 2010 [9 favorites]
posted by GuyZero at 10:58 AM on April 1, 2010 [9 favorites]
hippybear: "Seriously? $174,000/year is paid poorly? I thought the median income for the US was around $50,000 for a family. Being paid over 3x that doesn't seem like college kid funding to me."
It's around $25K for median individual income in the US.
posted by octothorpe at 11:00 AM on April 1, 2010 [1 favorite]
It's around $25K for median individual income in the US.
posted by octothorpe at 11:00 AM on April 1, 2010 [1 favorite]
Capital in the Capitol: Wealth in the House of Representatives
(Looks like some of them are hiding money --- I think some of them don't have just $3K as net worth).
The Senate: A Chamber of Affluence (Mostly)
posted by anniecat at 11:01 AM on April 1, 2010
(Looks like some of them are hiding money --- I think some of them don't have just $3K as net worth).
The Senate: A Chamber of Affluence (Mostly)
posted by anniecat at 11:01 AM on April 1, 2010
And the going rate is apparently $3800/mo? FOR A BEDROOM?
No way. There's some bullshit going on here. A quick look on Craigslist DC shows rooms in shared houses in nearby neighborhoods going for very close to $1000/month. This looks like market rate. You should be able to do shared housekeeping service for under $100/person/month, I would think.
I think this is bullshit.
posted by mr_roboto at 11:02 AM on April 1, 2010
No way. There's some bullshit going on here. A quick look on Craigslist DC shows rooms in shared houses in nearby neighborhoods going for very close to $1000/month. This looks like market rate. You should be able to do shared housekeeping service for under $100/person/month, I would think.
I think this is bullshit.
posted by mr_roboto at 11:02 AM on April 1, 2010
It's not just a room in a house. It has full housekeeping and meals. It's akin to living in a hotel.
And it's a church. Don't forget that.
(What happened to the days when avoiding the appearance of impropriety was important? There's just too much fucking leeway these days.)
posted by Benny Andajetz at 11:03 AM on April 1, 2010 [2 favorites]
And it's a church. Don't forget that.
(What happened to the days when avoiding the appearance of impropriety was important? There's just too much fucking leeway these days.)
posted by Benny Andajetz at 11:03 AM on April 1, 2010 [2 favorites]
A quick look on Craigslist DC shows rooms in shared houses in nearby neighborhoods going for very close to $1000/month.
"Nearby neighborhoods" means very little in the context of a city. Going 5-10 blocks in certain directions from affluent neighborhoods can get you places you might not ever want to live. We don't know the size or quality of these rooms, but they're essentially living in luxury suites, not "rooms" such that a college student or post-grad would live in.
The subsidy might not be as much as is estimated, but they're definitely not paying close to market value.
posted by explosion at 11:09 AM on April 1, 2010 [2 favorites]
"Nearby neighborhoods" means very little in the context of a city. Going 5-10 blocks in certain directions from affluent neighborhoods can get you places you might not ever want to live. We don't know the size or quality of these rooms, but they're essentially living in luxury suites, not "rooms" such that a college student or post-grad would live in.
The subsidy might not be as much as is estimated, but they're definitely not paying close to market value.
posted by explosion at 11:09 AM on April 1, 2010 [2 favorites]
I don't know about ethics, but the idea of a bunch of congresspeople all living together in, like, dorms provided by a secretive christian cult is a little unnerving.
posted by delmoi at 11:10 AM on April 1, 2010 [9 favorites]
posted by delmoi at 11:10 AM on April 1, 2010 [9 favorites]
We don't know the size or quality of these rooms, but they're essentially living in luxury suites, not "rooms" such that a college student or post-grad would live in.
Wha? You just said "we don't know the size or quality..." and then asserted that they're "living luxury suites". If we don't know, you don't know.
The only information I see on the "luxury" quality of their accommodations is that they had a housekeeping service and meals were "sometimes available". We have no basis for pricing these amenities, but they could easily fit within the documented housing price. To conclude that they're worth $3000/month, as these articles do, seems to be pure fantasy.
posted by mr_roboto at 11:16 AM on April 1, 2010 [1 favorite]
Wha? You just said "we don't know the size or quality..." and then asserted that they're "living luxury suites". If we don't know, you don't know.
The only information I see on the "luxury" quality of their accommodations is that they had a housekeeping service and meals were "sometimes available". We have no basis for pricing these amenities, but they could easily fit within the documented housing price. To conclude that they're worth $3000/month, as these articles do, seems to be pure fantasy.
posted by mr_roboto at 11:16 AM on April 1, 2010 [1 favorite]
A quick look on Craigslist DC shows rooms in shared houses in nearby neighborhoods going for very close to $1000/month. This looks like market rate. You should be able to do shared housekeeping service for under $100/person/month, I would think.
This appears to be blown way out, they may be on the low-side but I doubt this is full out scandal ... at worst some loose accounting.
The group surveyed the Capitol Hill rental market and discovered that nearby hotels charge a minimum of $2,400 per month, corporate housing costs a minimum of $4,000 per month and efficiency or one bedroom apartments typically go for at least $1,700 per month. None of these rates include any meals.
Corporate housing as twice what it costs to stay in a hotel? They must be surveying the cheap hotels and the expensive corporate housing. Usually corporate housing fills the niche between one bedrooms and hotels, which is the whole point.
posted by geoff. at 11:16 AM on April 1, 2010
This appears to be blown way out, they may be on the low-side but I doubt this is full out scandal ... at worst some loose accounting.
The group surveyed the Capitol Hill rental market and discovered that nearby hotels charge a minimum of $2,400 per month, corporate housing costs a minimum of $4,000 per month and efficiency or one bedroom apartments typically go for at least $1,700 per month. None of these rates include any meals.
Corporate housing as twice what it costs to stay in a hotel? They must be surveying the cheap hotels and the expensive corporate housing. Usually corporate housing fills the niche between one bedrooms and hotels, which is the whole point.
posted by geoff. at 11:16 AM on April 1, 2010
(Looks like some of them are hiding money --- I think some of them don't have just $3K as net worth).
This guy apparently owes $7 million in legal fees. I don't even know what to think of that.
posted by cmonkey at 11:17 AM on April 1, 2010
This guy apparently owes $7 million in legal fees. I don't even know what to think of that.
posted by cmonkey at 11:17 AM on April 1, 2010
Yes. But you're asking them to maintain two homes, one of which is in one of the most expensive markets in the country. Holy crap, $950/mo for a bedroom? And the going rate is apparently $3800/mo? FOR A BEDROOM?
When Obama was a U.S. Senator, he had a crappy apartment that was so bad Michelle refused to sleep there.
Plus most of these guys are actually pretty rich before they get to congress.
posted by delmoi at 11:17 AM on April 1, 2010 [1 favorite]
When Obama was a U.S. Senator, he had a crappy apartment that was so bad Michelle refused to sleep there.
Plus most of these guys are actually pretty rich before they get to congress.
posted by delmoi at 11:17 AM on April 1, 2010 [1 favorite]
.FTR #697 Christian Fundamentalism and the Underground Reich. The Family has earned it's "Godwin".
posted by hortense at 11:22 AM on April 1, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by hortense at 11:22 AM on April 1, 2010 [1 favorite]
"Nearby neighborhoods" means very little in the context of a city. Going 5-10 blocks in certain directions from affluent neighborhoods can get you places you might not ever want to live.
Here are the three nearest places I could find. All within walking distance of the Capitol South metro stop. Price range $980-$1200. I couldn't find anything for $3800....
posted by mr_roboto at 11:28 AM on April 1, 2010
Here are the three nearest places I could find. All within walking distance of the Capitol South metro stop. Price range $980-$1200. I couldn't find anything for $3800....
posted by mr_roboto at 11:28 AM on April 1, 2010
effugas: "The only scandal is that members of Congress, who control trillions of dollars of wealth, are paid so poorly that they need to shack up like college kids -- and that's if they aren't forced to sleep in their offices."
Oh come on. That's complete and total bullshit. They're getting paid 7 times the median income.
You can argue that we should build them a government-run dorm so they have a place to stay in DC, maybe, but arguing for the poor Congressman just barely getting by is nonsense.
posted by graventy at 11:54 AM on April 1, 2010
Oh come on. That's complete and total bullshit. They're getting paid 7 times the median income.
You can argue that we should build them a government-run dorm so they have a place to stay in DC, maybe, but arguing for the poor Congressman just barely getting by is nonsense.
posted by graventy at 11:54 AM on April 1, 2010
Oh, and here's a picture I took of the house last time we discussed it. Yes, it's a tripod link--thsi was seven years ago.
I live and work in the (extended) neighborhood. The place is fancier than most $950 s month places, but it's not that great. The church association is what I find weird.
posted by MrMoonPie at 11:57 AM on April 1, 2010
I live and work in the (extended) neighborhood. The place is fancier than most $950 s month places, but it's not that great. The church association is what I find weird.
posted by MrMoonPie at 11:57 AM on April 1, 2010
Is it clear whether the Congressmen are paying $950 EACH per month, or collectively paying $950 for rent? The linked Mother Jones article says "residents pay around $950 per month to live in the house", which is ambiguous. But if it EACH of them ponying that up, and there are 7 or 8 of them, that sounds an awful lot like market rent for a shared house (even with housekeeping, etc.)
Also, note that the September 27, 2002 LA Times article (included as an exhibit to the CREW complaint) says, "Rent is $600 per month FOR EACH RESIDENT." (Emphasis added.) (See page 18 of the PDF of exhibits.) Exhibit D, the AP article, has the same figure, and says that it's for six members of Congress.
So six rent-payers * $600 = $3,600 per month. How out-of-line is that with the market?
posted by QuantumMeruit at 12:03 PM on April 1, 2010
Also, note that the September 27, 2002 LA Times article (included as an exhibit to the CREW complaint) says, "Rent is $600 per month FOR EACH RESIDENT." (Emphasis added.) (See page 18 of the PDF of exhibits.) Exhibit D, the AP article, has the same figure, and says that it's for six members of Congress.
So six rent-payers * $600 = $3,600 per month. How out-of-line is that with the market?
posted by QuantumMeruit at 12:03 PM on April 1, 2010
There's a two-bedroom, two-bathroom house on the other side of the block from this one listing at 1.18 million. It's a nice house and all, but not that nice.
posted by MrMoonPie at 12:10 PM on April 1, 2010
posted by MrMoonPie at 12:10 PM on April 1, 2010
You can argue that we should build them a government-run dorm so they have a place to stay in DC, maybe, but arguing for the poor Congressman just barely getting by is nonsense.
That would be an awesome sitcom.
posted by anniecat at 12:12 PM on April 1, 2010 [1 favorite]
That would be an awesome sitcom.
posted by anniecat at 12:12 PM on April 1, 2010 [1 favorite]
It's a nice house and all, but not that nice.
A lot of these places have been extensively rehabbed on the inside. They are fancy and beautiful on the inside.
posted by anniecat at 12:12 PM on April 1, 2010
A lot of these places have been extensively rehabbed on the inside. They are fancy and beautiful on the inside.
posted by anniecat at 12:12 PM on April 1, 2010
I paid less than that for my room in a Georgetown group house and I had my own bathroom, entry/exit, a kitchenette, a walk-in closet, and direct acess to the laundry room.
posted by Pollomacho at 12:13 PM on April 1, 2010
posted by Pollomacho at 12:13 PM on April 1, 2010
I see that I am one of many that pay/have paid less in DC. Apparently CREW employees are getting ripped off.
posted by Pollomacho at 12:16 PM on April 1, 2010
posted by Pollomacho at 12:16 PM on April 1, 2010
anniecat: So if I were crashing at my friend's place while looking for a place of my own (for six months or so) and covered the utilities as a thank you for about six months, I would have to report that to the IRS?
No, you would not. Because you are a private citizen, your friend can gift to you tax-free up to $13,000 per year. However, different rules apply to congressman. They are not allowed to accept gifts, otherwise known as bribes, and even then there are exceptions for personal friends.
posted by JackFlash at 12:23 PM on April 1, 2010
No, you would not. Because you are a private citizen, your friend can gift to you tax-free up to $13,000 per year. However, different rules apply to congressman. They are not allowed to accept gifts, otherwise known as bribes, and even then there are exceptions for personal friends.
posted by JackFlash at 12:23 PM on April 1, 2010
It's a nice house and all, but not that nice.
Who knows? Maybe there's a whore and cocaine-tiled basement. That drives values up.
posted by Astro Zombie at 12:29 PM on April 1, 2010
Who knows? Maybe there's a whore and cocaine-tiled basement. That drives values up.
posted by Astro Zombie at 12:29 PM on April 1, 2010
Take a look at the book, The Family... This is a lot bigger than just cheap rent...
Exactly. It's much bigger.
Previous MeFi FPP's on The Family (aka The Fellowship; C-Street):
Exactly. It's much bigger.
Previous MeFi FPP's on The Family (aka The Fellowship; C-Street):
The New Chosen (also linked to by per MrMoonPie above).posted by ericb at 12:35 PM on April 1, 2010 [6 favorites]
Political Ties To a Secretive Religious Group.
Laying it out on the table.
Keeping it in "The Family".
"There's an audience for the story...largely the result of Senator John Ensign's libido...".
The Fellowship's long-term goal is "a leadership led by God—leaders of all levels of society who direct projects as they are led by the spirit."
You can argue that we should build them a government-run dorm so they have a place to stay in DC...
I'd be fine with this, personally. Why not? Give 'em modest accomodations like a midrange college dorm, a transit pass, and one comped meal a day plus all the coffee they need for those late night bill-reading sessions. Nobody starves, but nobody is living in a luxury Krazy Kult Kompound, either.
Hell, put in some webcams in the common rooms, let people log in and see what their govt. employees are up to (Tuesday night is Texas Hold 'Em for charity in the common room!)
Post the meals menu online where anyone can see it. Have tours.
People might start being more interested in their elected officials if they could get to know them as people, not talking heads on TV.
posted by emjaybee at 12:35 PM on April 1, 2010 [5 favorites]
I'd be fine with this, personally. Why not? Give 'em modest accomodations like a midrange college dorm, a transit pass, and one comped meal a day plus all the coffee they need for those late night bill-reading sessions. Nobody starves, but nobody is living in a luxury Krazy Kult Kompound, either.
Hell, put in some webcams in the common rooms, let people log in and see what their govt. employees are up to (Tuesday night is Texas Hold 'Em for charity in the common room!)
Post the meals menu online where anyone can see it. Have tours.
People might start being more interested in their elected officials if they could get to know them as people, not talking heads on TV.
posted by emjaybee at 12:35 PM on April 1, 2010 [5 favorites]
Hell, put in some webcams in the common rooms, let people log in and see what their govt. employees are up to
Sounds like Big Brother with old, white, male douchebags instead of young, pert, multi-ethnic, co-ed douchebags. I wounder if there would be more or less late-night hook-ups on the night-vision cam?
posted by Pollomacho at 12:38 PM on April 1, 2010
Sounds like Big Brother with old, white, male douchebags instead of young, pert, multi-ethnic, co-ed douchebags. I wounder if there would be more or less late-night hook-ups on the night-vision cam?
posted by Pollomacho at 12:38 PM on April 1, 2010
Total and complete BS. Here's a sampling of current Craig's List housing shares for Capitol Hill:
Apr 1 - $1050 Open House Tonight 1 Bedroom + Private Bath in Awesome 2 Bedroom Apt - (Capitol Hill) pic
Apr 1 - $800 2 Rooms for rent near Read line metro - (Capitol Hill/ H street/ NoMa) pic
Apr 1 - $625 Small Room available on Capitol Hill - (D and 6th Streets S.E.)
Apr 1 - $1075 Available Now: FURNISHED Private Bedroom+Bath near 3 metro lines - (NW DC, north of Capitol Hill) pic
Apr 1 - $695 *Move in ASAP: Short Term OK: Captiol Hill: Metro bus - (Lincoln park, East Capitol Hill, Metro b) pic
Mar 31 - $800 Great room(s) near Georgetown Law and Capitol! - (Capitol Hill) pic
Mar 31 - $900 1 bdrm in 3 bdrm house - (Capitol Hill/H St NE)
Mar 31 - $1600 Safest Street on Cap Hill - Fully Furnished BR w private bath - (Capitol Hill) pic
Mar 31 - $1200 Furnished Room 4 Rent - Safest Street on Cap Hill - (Capitol Hill) pic
Mar 31 - $800 Furnished room for rent in large rowhouse - (Capitol Hill/H Street) pic
Mar 31 - $800 Bedroom in Great TH across from park/near metro with own bath - (Capitol Hill)
posted by geeyore at 12:45 PM on April 1, 2010
Apr 1 - $1050 Open House Tonight 1 Bedroom + Private Bath in Awesome 2 Bedroom Apt - (Capitol Hill) pic
Apr 1 - $800 2 Rooms for rent near Read line metro - (Capitol Hill/ H street/ NoMa) pic
Apr 1 - $625 Small Room available on Capitol Hill - (D and 6th Streets S.E.)
Apr 1 - $1075 Available Now: FURNISHED Private Bedroom+Bath near 3 metro lines - (NW DC, north of Capitol Hill) pic
Apr 1 - $695 *Move in ASAP: Short Term OK: Captiol Hill: Metro bus - (Lincoln park, East Capitol Hill, Metro b) pic
Mar 31 - $800 Great room(s) near Georgetown Law and Capitol! - (Capitol Hill) pic
Mar 31 - $900 1 bdrm in 3 bdrm house - (Capitol Hill/H St NE)
Mar 31 - $1600 Safest Street on Cap Hill - Fully Furnished BR w private bath - (Capitol Hill) pic
Mar 31 - $1200 Furnished Room 4 Rent - Safest Street on Cap Hill - (Capitol Hill) pic
Mar 31 - $800 Furnished room for rent in large rowhouse - (Capitol Hill/H Street) pic
Mar 31 - $800 Bedroom in Great TH across from park/near metro with own bath - (Capitol Hill)
posted by geeyore at 12:45 PM on April 1, 2010
BTW -- this is also the house where many Republican politicians caught in sexual scandals have been living/lived -- including Gov. Mark Sanford, Rep. Chip Pickering and Sen. John Ensign, among others.
The Political Enclave That Dare Not Speak Its Name -- "The Sanford and Ensign Scandals Open a Door On Previously Secretive 'C Street' Spiritual Haven."posted by ericb at 12:48 PM on April 1, 2010
C Street: Where Scandal Meets Spirituality.
Another Rachel Maddow video on C-Street | July 16, 2009.
July 2009: Stupak denies knowledge of connections to mysterious ‘C Street’ house he lives in
“Despite weeks of media attention paid to the now-infamous ‘C Street’ house owned by The Family, a secretive Christian group, U.S. Rep. Bart Stupak — who lives at the house near the U.S. Capitol — denied any knowledge of the nature of the mysterious Washington, D.C., rowhouse and any involvement with the organization that owns it and uses as a seat of influence on Capitol Hill.posted by ericb at 12:56 PM on April 1, 2010 [5 favorites]
During a conference call with reporters Thursday morning, Michigan Messenger asked Stupak, a Menominee Democrat, about the house where he has lived for many years and his connections to the shadowy organization that owns it. The longtime Upper Peninsula legislator claimed to have ‘no affiliation’ with the group, which is known as The Family or The Fellowship.
‘I don’t belong to any such group,’ Stupak said. ‘I rent a room at a house in ‘C Street.’ I do not belong to any such group. I don’t know what you’re talking about, [The] Family and all this other stuff.’
The C Street house, a former convent, is still listed on official tax documents as a church but it functions largely as a boarding house, with six to eight members of the U.S. House and Senate living there at any given time. Current residents include Stupak, Rep. Zach Wamp (R-Tenn.), Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.), Rep. Mike Doyle (D-Pa.) and Sen. John Ensign (R-Nev.), and Rep. Heath Shuler (D-N.C.).
….When asked if there were any ethical concerns created by living in a house inaccurately listed as a church in order to evade property taxes, Stupak replied: ‘I don’t own the building, I don’t know how the landlord has it listed. I pay rent for a room. I sleep there. I have a room.’
Jeff Sharlet, contributing editor at Harper’s magazine and the author of The Family: The Secret Fundamentalism at the Heart of American Power,’ lived for a time at Ivanwald, another boarding house owned by the group in Arlington, Va., this one for younger men without political power.
Sharlet said that Stupak’s denial of any knowledge of The Family or its activities is false. ‘When I lived with The Family at Ivanwald, a house for younger men being groomed for leadership, I was told that Stupak was a regular visitor to the Cedars,’ Sharlet said. The Cedars is yet another compound owned by The Family, one that hosts weekly prayer events led by former Reagan-era Attorney General Ed Meese.
Sharlet said that Stupak had much greater involvement with the group than he is admitting, noting that the congressman was ‘a Family-assigned mentor to one of my brothers at Ivanwald.’ That Ivanwald resident, Sharlet said, ‘regularly left for what he and others described as mentoring sessions.’
Another reason to doubt Stupak’s denials, Sharlet said, is that members of the organization and those who live at the C Street house are sworn to secrecy about what goes on there, as fellow resident Zach Wamp admitted to the Knoxville News in the wake of the recent scandals. That makes such denials less credible, Sharlet said.
‘The bottom line here is that Stupak is either being dishonest or confessing dangerous ignorance,’ Sharlet said. ‘The house’s function has been public knowledge since the [Associated Press] wrote about it 7 years ago. Multiple mainstream media outlets have reported on the house’s role as in effect, a lobby in all but name, led by a man who is on video and audio record citing the leadership lessons of Hitler, Stalin, and Mao.’
Sharlet’s book describes The Family as a kind of shadow multi-national government, operating in secret through small prayer groups called ‘cells’ and modeled after the organization of mafia and terrorist groups. Doug Coe, the leader of the group, frequently refers to the leadership lessons of Hitler and the example of the mafia as a model for how the group operates.
How far-reaching is The Family’s influence? David Kuo, a high-ranking official in the Bush administration who oversaw the White House’s office of faith-based initiatives, wrote in a recent book: ‘The Fellowship’s reach into governments around the world is almost impossible to overstate or even grasp.’”
For 4 Collegial Congressmen, Life Looks a Lot Like College
New York Times
Published: May 30, 1994
WASHINGTON, May 29— Sam cooks, Dick cleans, George collects the rent and Chuck raids the refrigerator. Weeknights, they shoot the breeze in their underwear in the Capitol Hill town house where two of them sleep in unkempt beds in the living room like so many superannuated frat boys, and check to see if anyone they know turns up on "Nightline."
[snip]
For Representatives Sam Gejdenson of Connecticut, Richard J. Durbin of Illinois, George Miller of California and Charles E. Schumer of Brooklyn, Washington life is not all beer and roses. It's more like beer and frozen soy burgers, stale tortilla chips, lost laundry, monthly trips to Price Club and weekly commutes to their districts and families back home.
[snip]
Yet over the years, the house has provided much more than fellowship for its Democratic kitchen caucus. Its original foursome included Representative Leon Panetta of California, who had to move out after he became President Clinton's budget director last year (bequeathing his bed to Mr. Schumer, who had been stuck on a fuzzy orange fold-out couch). Marty Russo of Illinois left after losing his seat in 1992, but not before talking out his proposal for a universal health-care bill with his roomies one midnight when he was not indulging his penchant for doing laundry.
[snip]
Sleeping cheap is a Congressional tradition. In the late 1840's, Representative Abraham Lincoln shared space in a Capitol Hill boardinghouse, and more than a century later, Allard Lowenstein lived on his office couch as a Congressman from Nassau County. What makes the Miller house special is its combination of diverse and influential members.
posted by geeyore at 12:58 PM on April 1, 2010
New York Times
Published: May 30, 1994
WASHINGTON, May 29— Sam cooks, Dick cleans, George collects the rent and Chuck raids the refrigerator. Weeknights, they shoot the breeze in their underwear in the Capitol Hill town house where two of them sleep in unkempt beds in the living room like so many superannuated frat boys, and check to see if anyone they know turns up on "Nightline."
[snip]
For Representatives Sam Gejdenson of Connecticut, Richard J. Durbin of Illinois, George Miller of California and Charles E. Schumer of Brooklyn, Washington life is not all beer and roses. It's more like beer and frozen soy burgers, stale tortilla chips, lost laundry, monthly trips to Price Club and weekly commutes to their districts and families back home.
[snip]
Yet over the years, the house has provided much more than fellowship for its Democratic kitchen caucus. Its original foursome included Representative Leon Panetta of California, who had to move out after he became President Clinton's budget director last year (bequeathing his bed to Mr. Schumer, who had been stuck on a fuzzy orange fold-out couch). Marty Russo of Illinois left after losing his seat in 1992, but not before talking out his proposal for a universal health-care bill with his roomies one midnight when he was not indulging his penchant for doing laundry.
[snip]
Sleeping cheap is a Congressional tradition. In the late 1840's, Representative Abraham Lincoln shared space in a Capitol Hill boardinghouse, and more than a century later, Allard Lowenstein lived on his office couch as a Congressman from Nassau County. What makes the Miller house special is its combination of diverse and influential members.
posted by geeyore at 12:58 PM on April 1, 2010
Salon | July 2009: Sex and power inside "the C Street House".
posted by ericb at 1:01 PM on April 1, 2010
posted by ericb at 1:01 PM on April 1, 2010
FWIW -- the CREW lawsuit was preceded by a complaint filed by a religious organization (as per the CREW hyperlink in the FPP:
"Earlier in the week, Clergy VOICE, a group of clergy from various religious traditions, filed a complaint with the IRS asking for an investigation into the tax implications of accepting lodging at the C Street House. The group surveyed the Capitol Hill rental market and discovered that nearby hotels charge a minimum of $2,400 per month, corporate housing costs a minimum of $4,000 per month and efficiency or one bedroom apartments typically go for at least $1,700 per month. None of these rates include any meals.posted by ericb at 1:06 PM on April 1, 2010
The House and Senate gift rules specifically include 'lodging' as a prohibited gift. There are only two exceptions to the ban on accepting lodging: if it is provided by an individual based on personal friendship, or if it is hospitality in a personal residence owned by an individual. Here, because a corporate entity – C Street Center, Inc. – owns the property, neither exception applies. In addition, members may not accept gifts offered to members of Congress because of their official positions. As only members of Congress appear to live in the C Street House, it seems likely that it is because of their positions that they are permitted to live there and are offered below market rent."
The House and Senate gift rules specifically include “lodging” as a prohibited gift. There are only two exceptions to the ban on accepting lodging: if it is provided by an individual based on personal friendship, or if it is hospitality in a personal residence owned by an individual. Here, because a corporate entity – C Street Center, Inc. – owns the property, neither exception applies. In addition, members may not accept gifts offered to members of Congress because of their official positions. As only members of Congress appear to live in the C Street House, it seems likely that it is because of their positions that they are permitted to live there and are offered below market rent.So.... assuming the price they're being charged isn't below market value as CREW is asserting, there really isn't an issue here, is there? Does CREW see this as a win/win then? Start a baseless, unwinnable lawsuit in the hopes that it will shine a spotlight on the Congressional / Family connections?
posted by zarq at 1:21 PM on April 1, 2010 [1 favorite]
The story is now up on Fox (with internal comment that this is a "witch hunt" and that Craigslist shows comparable rents on offer), the NY Times politics blog, the AP, and the Washington Post.
posted by bearwife at 1:23 PM on April 1, 2010
posted by bearwife at 1:23 PM on April 1, 2010
They are not allowed to accept gifts, otherwise known as bribes
But they are allowed to accept lucrative "speaking engagements" from special-interest groups.
posted by Civil_Disobedient at 1:30 PM on April 1, 2010
But they are allowed to accept lucrative "speaking engagements" from special-interest groups.
posted by Civil_Disobedient at 1:30 PM on April 1, 2010
This guy apparently owes $7 million in legal fees. I don't even know what to think of that.
That's probably from when he got impeached as a federal judge. It's not clear to me why anyone would vote for a guy who's already been convicted of corruption, but that's just one of the many reasons why I don't live in Florida.
posted by Copronymus at 1:30 PM on April 1, 2010 [1 favorite]
That's probably from when he got impeached as a federal judge. It's not clear to me why anyone would vote for a guy who's already been convicted of corruption, but that's just one of the many reasons why I don't live in Florida.
posted by Copronymus at 1:30 PM on April 1, 2010 [1 favorite]
Oh, fer cryin' out loud. I don't get the "witchhunt" talk. If this place was owned by the Church of Scientology, people here would be all over it like white on rice. The point is that it's registered as a church, so that it pays no real estate taxes and no income taxes. I don't care if it's a boarding house (although I think those Craigslist postings aren't in the same class) as long as its paying its taxes, and it's not paying squat. Which means, hello?, that you and I are paying for it.
posted by redfisch at 1:40 PM on April 1, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by redfisch at 1:40 PM on April 1, 2010 [1 favorite]
The point is that it's registered as a church, so that it pays no real estate taxes and no income taxes.
This is not the point that any of the articles linked to in the original post are trying to make. Those are all focused on the "subsidized housing" issue. If the house is a tax evasion attempt, it is the owners, not the renters, who would be responsible.
although I think those Craigslist postings aren't in the same class
Why not?
posted by mr_roboto at 2:00 PM on April 1, 2010
This is not the point that any of the articles linked to in the original post are trying to make. Those are all focused on the "subsidized housing" issue. If the house is a tax evasion attempt, it is the owners, not the renters, who would be responsible.
although I think those Craigslist postings aren't in the same class
Why not?
posted by mr_roboto at 2:00 PM on April 1, 2010
Which means, hello?, that you and I are paying for it.
What "it" are you talking about?
Do you pay DC municipal property taxes?
Then why do you care.
posted by geeyore at 2:09 PM on April 1, 2010
What "it" are you talking about?
Do you pay DC municipal property taxes?
Then why do you care.
posted by geeyore at 2:09 PM on April 1, 2010
I am fairly certain we do not pay taxes on imputed income in the US. (Wikipedia agrees, FWIW) Otherwise stay at home parents would have to pay income tax on the mount they would have been paid as a nanny. The tax issue just muddies the waters, this is about accepting gifts or bribes, for which imputed value matters a great deal.
posted by Nothing at 2:09 PM on April 1, 2010
posted by Nothing at 2:09 PM on April 1, 2010
How much is the meal service and and housekeeping worth? That's the missing piece in the comparisons to other local rentals. Mostly the meal service.
posted by NortonDC at 2:36 PM on April 1, 2010
posted by NortonDC at 2:36 PM on April 1, 2010
Do you pay DC municipal property taxes?
Then why do you care.
For every dollar the city doesn't get, it comes from federal taxes instead. So yes, even if you're not paying DC municipal taxes, you're paying taxes for DC.
posted by Evilspork at 3:43 PM on April 1, 2010
Then why do you care.
For every dollar the city doesn't get, it comes from federal taxes instead. So yes, even if you're not paying DC municipal taxes, you're paying taxes for DC.
posted by Evilspork at 3:43 PM on April 1, 2010
I am fairly certain we do not pay taxes on imputed income in the US.
Even beyond the tax reporting issue, Congresscritters are still required to report everybribe gift they receive worth over $50.
posted by Evilspork at 3:45 PM on April 1, 2010
Even beyond the tax reporting issue, Congresscritters are still required to report every
posted by Evilspork at 3:45 PM on April 1, 2010
I doubt many of the Members eat anywhere other than a restaurant more than once or twice a month, if that.
Even if this is true, what is the compulsion to defend these guys? ( I am equally astonished when non-CEOs defend corporate behaviors.) What benefit is to be gained by us -the non-congresspeople- to give any quarter to our employees who have sworn themselves to acting in an ethical and above-board manner.
If they are doing something that appears to be wrong, they need to be immediately called to account and made to explain and defend their actions. Unfortunately, instead of behaving like the boss, the electorate capitulates to these blowhards.
That's bad enough. Helping them make their case is just ridiculous.
posted by Benny Andajetz at 4:50 PM on April 1, 2010 [1 favorite]
Even if this is true, what is the compulsion to defend these guys? ( I am equally astonished when non-CEOs defend corporate behaviors.) What benefit is to be gained by us -the non-congresspeople- to give any quarter to our employees who have sworn themselves to acting in an ethical and above-board manner.
If they are doing something that appears to be wrong, they need to be immediately called to account and made to explain and defend their actions. Unfortunately, instead of behaving like the boss, the electorate capitulates to these blowhards.
That's bad enough. Helping them make their case is just ridiculous.
posted by Benny Andajetz at 4:50 PM on April 1, 2010 [1 favorite]
Even if this is true, what is the compulsion to defend these guys?
I don't think it's very becoming of my side to be making bullshit charges. And claiming that a room in DC costs $3800/month is some pretty absurd, bald-faced bullshit. I'm embarrassed to be associated with it.
posted by mr_roboto at 4:56 PM on April 1, 2010
I don't think it's very becoming of my side to be making bullshit charges. And claiming that a room in DC costs $3800/month is some pretty absurd, bald-faced bullshit. I'm embarrassed to be associated with it.
posted by mr_roboto at 4:56 PM on April 1, 2010
evilspork: I pay US Income Taxes. Which would conceivably be lower if cults and tax cheats weren't being labelled as churches. Again: see Scientology, Church of.
The most important part of the complaint, for me, is against the Family in that it is both a cult and a tax cheat. I pay my property taxes in the county with the highest real estate taxes in the country, and I pay the United States as well as the State of NY on my income, and yes, I'm one of those weirdos who thinks paying taxes is patriotic. It cheeses me off when somebone - anyone - evades what they should rightfully be paying by a charitable exemption - whether I'm being directly affected by that fraud or not.
posted by redfisch at 5:06 PM on April 1, 2010
The most important part of the complaint, for me, is against the Family in that it is both a cult and a tax cheat. I pay my property taxes in the county with the highest real estate taxes in the country, and I pay the United States as well as the State of NY on my income, and yes, I'm one of those weirdos who thinks paying taxes is patriotic. It cheeses me off when somebone - anyone - evades what they should rightfully be paying by a charitable exemption - whether I'm being directly affected by that fraud or not.
posted by redfisch at 5:06 PM on April 1, 2010
If the building is generating no property taxes as a church, the scandal might be that they are charing the congresscritters too MUCH. So they're taking in 3800 bucks a month, with no property tax outlay? That means it's likely the Family is making a profit on this property.
Nice racket, this religion thing.
posted by fourcheesemac at 5:24 PM on April 1, 2010
Nice racket, this religion thing.
posted by fourcheesemac at 5:24 PM on April 1, 2010
The most important part of the complaint, for me, is against the Family in that it is both a cult and a tax cheat... I'm one of those weirdos who thinks paying taxes is patriotic.
I think we're on the same side here. I interpreted geeyore's comment as saying it was a local issue because you didn't pay DC taxes, and I was refuting that.
posted by Evilspork at 5:41 PM on April 1, 2010
I think we're on the same side here. I interpreted geeyore's comment as saying it was a local issue because you didn't pay DC taxes, and I was refuting that.
posted by Evilspork at 5:41 PM on April 1, 2010
Even if this is true, what is the compulsion to defend these guys? ( I am equally astonished when non-CEOs defend corporate behaviors.)
This is a really interesting point. I'm getting the sense it's that some people think they're next in line to be super powerful or super rich and they think people who malign those for gaining money and suspect that those gains were not gotten in a completely fair way are just jealous. I get the sense from what I read that they sort of believe that they, like people who are in power, are a "chosen" group. They want to hobnob and associate with the rich and powerful, in hopes that that will be their destiny too. Or they do a lot of hero worship and can't think critically enough to assess anything independently.
posted by anniecat at 5:54 PM on April 1, 2010
This is a really interesting point. I'm getting the sense it's that some people think they're next in line to be super powerful or super rich and they think people who malign those for gaining money and suspect that those gains were not gotten in a completely fair way are just jealous. I get the sense from what I read that they sort of believe that they, like people who are in power, are a "chosen" group. They want to hobnob and associate with the rich and powerful, in hopes that that will be their destiny too. Or they do a lot of hero worship and can't think critically enough to assess anything independently.
posted by anniecat at 5:54 PM on April 1, 2010
It‘s particularly awkward given all the wacka-chika-wacka going on there—particularly awkward was the fact that C Street was, for tax purposes, listed as a church. Earlier this month, as we reported, a group of Ohio pastors asked the IRS to strip C Street of its federal tax-exempt status, because although it does claim to be a church, in the view of these pastors, there isn‘t a whole lot that‘s very churchy about it.
Indeed not -- the sex, as far as we know, has all been consensual.
posted by Anything at 7:02 PM on April 1, 2010
Indeed not -- the sex, as far as we know, has all been consensual.
posted by Anything at 7:02 PM on April 1, 2010
I wonder if the C-Street/The-Family event 'National Prayer Breakfast' is going to continue being attended by US leaders and lawmakers.
posted by Anything at 7:53 PM on April 1, 2010
posted by Anything at 7:53 PM on April 1, 2010
Do you pay DC municipal property taxes?
Then why do you care.
For every dollar the city doesn't get, it comes from federal taxes instead. So yes, even if you're not paying DC municipal taxes, you're paying taxes for DC.
Whoa, there, I DO pay DC municipal property taxes, but you've got some things wrong here. First off, those figures you linked are inflated due to the fact that they reflect total Federal spending in the location. In other words they factor in the thousands of Federal employees because they work in DC and to keep the lights on in the buildings in DC and because the President's limo is in DC etc..., not because the money goes to DC. Second the largest landholder in the city is the Federal government, who is municipal tax exempt. In other words WE foot the bill for the rest of you jackasses (non-American mefites excepted only somewhat, remember that foreign missions are also tax-exempt) to send your bloated douchebags to fondle interns in our fair city!
posted by Pollomacho at 8:02 PM on April 1, 2010
Then why do you care.
For every dollar the city doesn't get, it comes from federal taxes instead. So yes, even if you're not paying DC municipal taxes, you're paying taxes for DC.
Whoa, there, I DO pay DC municipal property taxes, but you've got some things wrong here. First off, those figures you linked are inflated due to the fact that they reflect total Federal spending in the location. In other words they factor in the thousands of Federal employees because they work in DC and to keep the lights on in the buildings in DC and because the President's limo is in DC etc..., not because the money goes to DC. Second the largest landholder in the city is the Federal government, who is municipal tax exempt. In other words WE foot the bill for the rest of you jackasses (non-American mefites excepted only somewhat, remember that foreign missions are also tax-exempt) to send your bloated douchebags to fondle interns in our fair city!
posted by Pollomacho at 8:02 PM on April 1, 2010
My spin: It's definitely sketchy, but not precisely because of the rent.
$950 is a believable amount to pay for rent on C street for a tiny room in a shared house. A $950 room would be a hot item, but not completely out of the question. Of course, hotels and "corporate housing" are going to be considerably more expensive than renting directly!
Given that these lodgings are in all likelihood quite nice, and include maid service, something is definitely fishy. Can "normal" people rent a room in this place? If not, aren't they in violation of the equal-opportunity housing laws, as well as congress's rules about gifts?
A few other things to note:
The comparison to a 1br apartment isn't particularly great. Thanks to the employment dynamics of the Capitol Hill area, 1br apartments are outlandishly expensive compared to their 2+br counterparts.
"Capitol Hill" is huge. Although there are plenty of sub-neighborhoods, a "cap hill" craigslist search is not at all indicative of C street or the area directly adjacent to the Capitol. Unfortunately, there are a lot of undefined grey areas that don't have more specific neighborhood names (or nobody uses them)
posted by schmod at 8:15 PM on April 1, 2010
$950 is a believable amount to pay for rent on C street for a tiny room in a shared house. A $950 room would be a hot item, but not completely out of the question. Of course, hotels and "corporate housing" are going to be considerably more expensive than renting directly!
Given that these lodgings are in all likelihood quite nice, and include maid service, something is definitely fishy. Can "normal" people rent a room in this place? If not, aren't they in violation of the equal-opportunity housing laws, as well as congress's rules about gifts?
A few other things to note:
The comparison to a 1br apartment isn't particularly great. Thanks to the employment dynamics of the Capitol Hill area, 1br apartments are outlandishly expensive compared to their 2+br counterparts.
"Capitol Hill" is huge. Although there are plenty of sub-neighborhoods, a "cap hill" craigslist search is not at all indicative of C street or the area directly adjacent to the Capitol. Unfortunately, there are a lot of undefined grey areas that don't have more specific neighborhood names (or nobody uses them)
posted by schmod at 8:15 PM on April 1, 2010
In the big picture, this is inconsequential compared to issues with lobbyist payola.
posted by five fresh fish at 8:29 PM on April 1, 2010
posted by five fresh fish at 8:29 PM on April 1, 2010
The thing is there is no market-value comparison for receiving the PRIVILEGE to live somewhere that's only available to you because you're a politician. You get a privilege from a private organization that the general public doesn't get because of your government position? That's a violation. No question.
But, if we want to play that game: HI Hostel beds cost up to $25-$45 per night. Very, very minimal housekeeping (they basically just turn over the beds that are vacant), free breakfast if you get up on time, and you get to share the room with up to 10 other people. And you can't stay more than two weeks a year.
I recently did an AskMe looking for a bare minimum kind of set-up that was close in to downtown DC. Yeah, I saw unfurnished studios in the 950 range, but there's no fucking way one of these chaps would dare live in any of them. Ultimately I went 50% above that to live much farther away. Where's my housekeeper and free meals?
DC rent is expensive, yo.
posted by Skwirl at 10:08 PM on April 1, 2010 [1 favorite]
But, if we want to play that game: HI Hostel beds cost up to $25-$45 per night. Very, very minimal housekeeping (they basically just turn over the beds that are vacant), free breakfast if you get up on time, and you get to share the room with up to 10 other people. And you can't stay more than two weeks a year.
I recently did an AskMe looking for a bare minimum kind of set-up that was close in to downtown DC. Yeah, I saw unfurnished studios in the 950 range, but there's no fucking way one of these chaps would dare live in any of them. Ultimately I went 50% above that to live much farther away. Where's my housekeeper and free meals?
DC rent is expensive, yo.
posted by Skwirl at 10:08 PM on April 1, 2010 [1 favorite]
I wonder if the C-Street/The-Family event 'National Prayer Breakfast' is going to continue being attended by US leaders and lawmakers.
Billy Graham mentions( in his autobiography) badgering a reluctant Eisenhower to attend, every President since has followed suit.
posted by hortense at 11:06 PM on April 1, 2010
Billy Graham mentions( in his autobiography) badgering a reluctant Eisenhower to attend, every President since has followed suit.
posted by hortense at 11:06 PM on April 1, 2010
I'm not letting you guys off this easy.
Sure, $175,000 is a lot of money. But you know what? Being in the House or Senate is a ludicrously expensive proposition. You know what you and I don't have to do every few years? Spend a huge amount of money in an attempt to keep our jobs. You know what else we don't have to do? Live in two cities, and fly repeatedly between them.
If one or two people had to live like college students, sure, you guys might be right. But when about a tenth of the House and a tenth of the Senate live *in their offices*, something is wrong. When a large chunk of the rest live in the sort of shared housing arrangements that almost nobody here would imagine being acceptable, something is wrong.
Maslow's heirarchy is key. These guys exist to actualize our country. The least we could do is take care of their shelter.
posted by effugas at 11:08 PM on April 1, 2010 [1 favorite]
Sure, $175,000 is a lot of money. But you know what? Being in the House or Senate is a ludicrously expensive proposition. You know what you and I don't have to do every few years? Spend a huge amount of money in an attempt to keep our jobs. You know what else we don't have to do? Live in two cities, and fly repeatedly between them.
If one or two people had to live like college students, sure, you guys might be right. But when about a tenth of the House and a tenth of the Senate live *in their offices*, something is wrong. When a large chunk of the rest live in the sort of shared housing arrangements that almost nobody here would imagine being acceptable, something is wrong.
Maslow's heirarchy is key. These guys exist to actualize our country. The least we could do is take care of their shelter.
posted by effugas at 11:08 PM on April 1, 2010 [1 favorite]
I too have seen some of these homes and I have to concur with The World Famous. I have also been to the palacial Eastern Shore mansions of some of these guys, so you can take that for what it's worth. Anyway, $950 for a room is no stretch.
posted by Pollomacho at 4:20 AM on April 2, 2010
posted by Pollomacho at 4:20 AM on April 2, 2010
Sounds like Big Brother with old, white, male douchebags instead of young, pert, multi-ethnic, co-ed douchebags. I wounder if there would be more or less late-night hook-ups on the night-vision cam?
Depends. Is there an "airport bathroom" theme room?
posted by bitter-girl.com at 10:02 AM on April 2, 2010 [1 favorite]
Depends. Is there an "airport bathroom" theme room?
posted by bitter-girl.com at 10:02 AM on April 2, 2010 [1 favorite]
I think all the bathrooms would have to be multi-head units with extra-narrow stalls to accommodate the less-flexible "wide stance" people.
posted by hippybear at 12:43 PM on April 2, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by hippybear at 12:43 PM on April 2, 2010 [1 favorite]
Evilspork said: "So yes, even if you're not paying DC municipal taxes, you're paying taxes for DC."
That's quite a reach.
That same logic gives you a say in every municipal matter in every town, city, state, and burgh in the United States.
Really? Is that what you're asserting?
posted by geeyore at 5:20 AM on April 4, 2010
That's quite a reach.
That same logic gives you a say in every municipal matter in every town, city, state, and burgh in the United States.
Really? Is that what you're asserting?
posted by geeyore at 5:20 AM on April 4, 2010
« Older Kafka's castle is collapsing | My voice is higher than your voice! Newer »
This thread has been archived and is closed to new comments
posted by rusty at 10:41 AM on April 1, 2010