“Having an extra $250 pocket money to spend while jetting around the world’s capitals sounds pretty good to most people. But it’s chump change to some members of Congress. Taxpayers are the chumps. The $250 a day we give members is rarely spent on food, reports the Washington Times: ‘(S)chedules typically are jam-packed on foreign junkets, especially with meals and banquets sponsored by interests looking to curry favor with American VIPs. The fact is, our public servants rarely need their lavish street cash to get fed, so they blow taxpayer money on other things rather than return their leftover per diem.’ Congressional rules say they must return leftover cash to the government. They usually don’t, writes the Wall Street Journal. ‘(L)awmakers use the excess cash for shopping or to defray spouses’ travel expenses. Sometimes they give it away; sometimes they pocket it.’” (03/14/10)