Oct17
$86,000 in Taxpayer Money for a Hunting Trip?!
Posted at 10:12 AM | Permalink
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Comments (14)
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Let's see. First, American International Group (AIG) received $85 billion from the Federal Reserve last month in order to stay afloat … and then they reportedly treated their top agents to a $440,000 week at a fancy-schmancy spa. Investigators were not impressed.
But hey, we all make mistakes (though most of mine don't reach the six-figure range), so when AIG needed an additional $37.8 billion, the Federal Reserve was willing to hand over taxpayer money to help out.
And then AIG reportedly spent $86,000 on a hunting trip.
I have to confess here that I don't know how expensive hunting equipment is—I wouldn't come within 50 feet of that cruel and unnecessary "sport"—but something tells me that $86,000 might be a little much.
According to an AIG spokesman, the killing—I'm sorry, hunting—trip "was an annual event for customers" and was "planned months before the Federal Reserve Bank of New York's loan to AIG."
Yeah, I'm sorry, but maybe they should've thought about how this would look to taxpayers. "Gee, thanks for the $37 billion—I'm goin' to England to slaughter some animals!"
To put it mildly, people are rather miffed at AIG's cavalier spending habits. White House Press Secretary Dana Perino called the spa trip "despicable," and New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo is investigating all these "unwarranted and outrageous expenditures," saying on Wednesday, "The party is over. No more hunting trips. No more luxury resorts. They are not going to have the party and leave the hangover for the taxpayers."
Poor AIG. They just can't get a break—oh, wait, they did, and then they decided to go hunting with it.
Posted by Amanda Schinke
TAGGED:
hunting aig american international group
Comments
I could care less if they went hunting.
What I care about is that they are going hunting with money that wasn't intended for hunting.
Its proof that America is going down hard and fast.
All abord to Canada train to Canada with its veggie chicken sandwiches.
Posted by: Ben Y. | October 17, 2008 01:55 PM
I can't even express how much that pisses me off. Ugh.
Posted by: Jessica | October 17, 2008 04:00 PM
That is outrageous! Why would the government bail out such a wastefully nieve bank!? It confuses me so much i am glad i live in Canada.
Posted by: Katie | October 17, 2008 05:04 PM
So MY TAX DOLLARS were used to PAY for animals to be CRUELLY SLAUGHTERED!? This is infuriating! If they want to do something so horrible the least they could do is USE THEIR OWN FREAKING MONEY. I should not be forced by my government to support such a horrendous thing.
Posted by: Pete | October 17, 2008 09:59 PM
Unfortunately, the Canadian government is even worse with its subsidies for the annual seal slaughter...
But, on a brighter note, those veggie sandwiches at KFC in Canada are AWESOME! Next to a Harvey's veggieburger, these KFC veggie sandwiches are my favourite fast food! (and surprisingly, they are not as fattening as one might think, if you cut out the mayo)
Posted by: Michele | October 17, 2008 10:50 PM
If you don't make it to Canada stop in Vermont... sooner or later (if it gets much worse) we'll secede and form a progressive liberal democratic nation with Quebec and maybe invite Iceland! :)
Posted by: Dave | October 18, 2008 02:40 PM
SHEEPLE you MUST realize, they don't give 2 chits what you, the tax payer they stole from, think!
THEY have the money, THEY have the power and to THEM you are considered MERE cattle ')
If everyone would STOP working for a couple of months could you IMAGINE the fear??? You must STOP paying taxes on your labor it's against the constitution but evidently you aren't aware as you continue to give in to them!
RESIST them, FIGHT FOR YOUR RIGHTS!!!
Peace, Love & Truth
Posted by: Shari | October 18, 2008 08:55 PM
It's a whole new take on 'predatory lenders.'
Posted by: Elaine Vigneault | October 19, 2008 12:42 AM
ALL OF YOU:
AIG was an insurance company NOT a bank Katie, geez get your facts straight as this WILL affect the entire world, incl YOU in Canada and VERY soon too!
Ever heard of the new world order OR North American Union? Seek out reality up on www.infowars.com because there is a war on for your mind.
Familiarize yourselves with all the info as the truth will set you free! If you continue to expect the truth from the boob tube you will remain in the chains that bind you as TV is a tool to keep the masses complacent and DUMMIED down.
PEACE, LOVE & TRUTH
Posted by: Shari | October 19, 2008 01:11 AM
I'm disgusted!!! How dare they even THINK about using my tax dollars for HUNTING!!! Big business does go along with the kind of business the administration does. We all know "Bush & Buddies" made million during this administration on the backs of everyday Americans and costing the lives of Americans in the Armed Forces. By the way, why the hell hasn't this crook and his buddies been IMPEACHED AND PROSECUTED AND FINED ALL THOSE MILLIONS THEY STOLE FROM US? Just like their big business buddies?
Posted by: June Marie | October 19, 2008 02:08 AM
Okay, this appears to be something they have been doing for years its like if wachovia canceled its golf tournament or in Spain they cancelled the company sponsered bull fight, customers come to these events are are kept to the company, this was necessary for the company to convince some customers to stay with the bank.
If you want something to complain at AIG is the leading sponser for the worlds most popular soccer team ManU this is an expense they need to cut.
Posted by: Robert | October 19, 2008 09:11 PM
Ok seriously the government is handing out billions to these insurance companies and banks, and guess who's got to pay it back? Us, we have to pay back every cent. This makes me mad.
Posted by: Denise | October 20, 2008 12:11 PM
Well, I care more that they went hunting than they misused funds. All hunters are cowardly bullies - otherwise they'd hunt each other and leave the animals alone.
Posted by: Phyllis | October 20, 2008 08:49 PM
wow i dont care at all about hunting and all but why are they using the same excuse that they planned it a long time ago? and if they didnt recieve the bailout would they still have these fancy trips? no they would be scared
Posted by: Don Thanh | October 20, 2008 10:35 PM