How did Daschle get assessed $80,000 a year for use of a chauffeur driven Caddy? Brand new, a Caddy Deville lists for only $43K. You ought to be able to hire a decent chauffeur for $30K a year. That's only $70K assuming they bought a new Caddy, and crushed the old one, every year.
Me of course, would never think of letting anyone drive me to and from work. Out on Rt 128, I want control, I don't want some flunky deciding whether or not to take the breakdown lane to pass that semi. I'd feel the same about rushhour DC traffic.
That's two things that don't quite add up. The price for a chauffeured Caddy is kinda high, and what kind of real guy would not want to drive himself?
1 comment:
I wonder if he really rode in a middle class cadillac. More likely it was a well outfitted Escalade 60+K ?, not counting delivery, tax, etc.?)including all the "perks" a man of his stature demanded. Stuff like GPS, Secure phone and internet, TV. Maybe even a full wet bar. Chauffeur on-duty hours probably ran to 16-18 hrs per day, maybe necessitating two drivers. I haven't checked, but I also doubt a good chaueffeur in DC region can be had for 30K per year. Don't overlook the costs for an employer are far, far higher; probably double the salary paid.
Finally, I haven't driven in DC rush hour traffic for many years, but it was quite stressful. I've also had occasion to be driven in DC traffic to attend hearings as an observer with some of the participants. It makes a world of difference to be able to discuss business and look at papers while in route without interruption. The voluminous traffic and the pace of business in/around the capitol almost necessitates a car and driver. Public transit, cabs and dealing with your own auto are non-starters for his kind of business.
All in all, I figure the 80K amount is probably defendable by the IRS; and is just written off as the cost of doing business for his employer.
Dave Spritke
Aurora, CO
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