The Cost Of Free Trade (Previously Posted)

Apparently the cost of "free" trade is more than $430,000. This is the amount that Charlie Crist (the gov. of Florida) and his entourage spent on a 12 day trade mission to Europe. The good? thing is that the governors expenses were covered by the business executives that were also on the trip. Some of the executives were real estate agents, aviation industry execs, lawyers, lobbyists and some execs representing the sugar industry who are involved in negotiations to sell land to the state for $1.75 billion. Expenses included a London hotel suite for more than $2100 a night, a Paris suite at $1,385 a night, first class air travel at $8000 for a round trip, room service and minibar tabs of more than $1300, an upgraded ticket from $193 to $457 on a train so he could check in faster and wait in an executive lounge and $320 on fans to keep him cool while giving speeches. There were 65 executives on the trip, so each one paid $461.68 for Crist's expenses of $30,000. Crist's fiance and her sister went on the trip also and I don't know if their expenses are included in the $30,000 or if they were considered executives and therefore split his cost. Taxpayers did pay for more than 24 people to accompany Crist. These included a photographer, a spokeswoman, 4 aides, 2 agency heads and 9 bodyguards. Those who have travelled in foreign lands know that there are no police or private security agencies in those lands. More than 1/3 of the taxpayer expenses was spent by the bodyguards. Crist defended the trip by saying, "I think it's important to promote free trade."