A recent story by AP uncovered some disturbing trends about the government's addiction to automobiles.  The news agency reported that government costs for fuel, maintenance and leases of the 642,233 government vehicles operated by Uncle Sam cost $3.4 billion last year. 

Even more disturbing is the mismanagement of these fleets. For example, officals at the Department of Housing and Urban Development are confounded over how fuel consumption and inventory are down while overall costs have increased significantly. Similarly, the Department of the Interior Department was advised by its own consulting arm that it should cut its inventory.  Instead, they added hundreds of vehicles.

Nowhere is government waste more apparent in the story than in the cost of having personal drivers for high-level government officials.  Transportation Secretary Mary Peters has two drivers collectively earning over $128,000 a year, while Health and Human Services Secretary Michael Leavitt is driven around by a $90,000-a-year chauffer.  Even if you factor in the "fudge factor," the old DC cab fare system was still cheaper!

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