I want them to feel that they are somebody and their congressman is somebody

U.S. congressmen and their taxpayer funded leased vehicles.  The New York Times ran a check on New York congressmen who lease cars and SUV's paid for by the taxpayers and found many who chose the biggest and the best to ride around in through their districts.

Charlie Rangel leases a 17 foot long, 300 horsepower Cadillac DeVille for $777.54 a month and believes having such a luxury car makes his constituents feel good about him and themselves.  "I want them to feel that they are somebody and their congressman is somebody."

The senate does not allow its members to lease taxpayer funded cars and there is a push in the House to get leasing members to change over to hybrids and low-emissions vehicles.  Very few of those type of cars are much for luxury, however.  Windfarms for power-good.  Just not in my neighborhood.  Low-emission cars-good.  Just not for them.  Better for us taxpayers to do the heavy lifting, so to speak.