Rick Crawford: The Franking Fiend

On Wednesday, the editorial page of the Jonesboro Sun took Republican Congressman Rick Crawford to task for wasting taxpayers’ money.

It seems that the 1st District incumbent loves to use the “franking privilege” to excess.  The franking privilege allows Congressional members to mail their constituents for free, updating them on Congressional activities.  But it’s not really free since taxpayers pick up the cost of the free postage and the printing.

These slick mailers, written by Crawford’s staff, tout how wonderful he is and the great job he’s doing for the district, in their opinion of course.

According to the Jonesboro Sun, Rick Crawford is a franking fiend.

Last year, Crawford spent $81,548 on franked mail, more than the three other Arkansas Congressmen combined.  Crawford recently sent two slick mailers to his constituents when he just so happens to be running for re-election, which is what prompted the Jonesboro Sun’s editorial page to take notice.

From the Jonesboro Sun:

“Those mailers are a small but perfect example of what’s wrong with Washington, D.C. – a waste of taxpayer dollars. Of course, every member of Congress does it; it’s part of their office’s annual budget, so Crawford did nothing illegal by sending out the slick mail pieces during the height of election season on the taxpayers’ dime.

But is it right? We don’t think so. Not only is it unfair to those who would try to unseat him – in this case Prosecutor Scott Ellington, D-Jonesboro – it’s a waste of taxpayer dollars.”

Crawford loves to pontificate about how government shouldn’t waste taxpayers’ money, but he loves wasting their money on himself.

Rick Crawford talks the talk, but sure doesn’t walk the walk.