April 03, 2006

Made Possible With A Grant From Taxpayers Like You

Yesterday's Philadelphia Inquirer -- or "The SUNDAY Inquirer" if you get that weird early edition -- had a fronted a city story about Rep. Mark B. Cohen, a state legislator since 1974. Turns out Cohen's gotten a little too comfy in his slot, since he spent $28,200 of taxpayer money on books last two years.

The paper reports that in 2004 and 2005, Cohen actually spent more himself than the four schools in his legislative district. He bought over 800 books, which would equate more than a book a day. Some of the books purchased included Clinton and Me -- a book we can only assume is a sequel to Marley and Me -- Preachers of Hate: Islam and the War on America.

Cohen defended his book bill -- as well as his $3,050 magazine and newspaper bill -- by saying this: "I try very hard to be informed on current events. I'm holding myself to standards of excellence. I'm interested in knowing whatever I can about national issues. National issues affect Pennsylvania, and Pennsylvania is part of the nation."

Wow! Pennsylvania is part of the nation? I bet he learned that from a book! The Inquirer even asked this "voracious reader" for some book suggestions, and he said Stupid White Men by Michael Moore (for liberals) and Who's Looking Out for You? by Bill O'Reilly (for conservatives).

So, despite acquiring over 800 books in a two-year period, Rep. Cohen still hasn't bought himself any taste.

Some of you may be wondering why Cohen has been able to bill over $20,000 in books the past two years to the state. I'll tell you why: He needs them to represent our community! For example, two of the books he purchased were AOL For Dummies and The Zen of Gambling.

Let's do a little legislative fantasy and figure out how these two books helped Mark B. Cohen do his job...

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Posted by D-Mac at 12:18 PM | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)