August 2, 2012--Hey Big Spenders

Whenever the Democrats or Republicans hold one of their presidential nominating conventions, while waiting around for keynote speeches, they pass their time spending money at hotels, local restaurants, and shops. Thus cities are eager to host them and contribute big bucks to their respective national committees to bribe, sorry, attract them.

Early in September the Democrats will gather in Charlotte, NC and prior to that the Republicans in Tampa, Florida. Swing states both.

But no matter what political leaders tell you about the purpose of the conventions, since deals are no longer made in smoke-filled rooms, for delegates and party hangers-on having as much fun as possible is never far from anyone's mind. And for many, it's all about fun.

What constitutes fun, you might wonder, for all the Tea Partyers and dour right-wing evangelicals who form the heart and soul of the Grand Old Party? Prayer meetings? Signing pledges never to raise taxes? Taking their children to nearby Disneyland?

According to many in the hospitality business in Tampa, the reason the Republicans chose to convene there is because of the availability of strip clubs.

Tampa has the reputation of being "the lap dance capital of America."

The real Sarah Palin will undoubtedly deliver a barn-burner of a speech, if they allow her on the platform; but whether she shows up or not, a Sarah Palin look-alike will be appearing on stage nightly at Thee (sic) Dollhouse attired in considerably less than the former governor's traditional St. John knit suits.

Sure, Dems will find their way to Daisy Dooks, Baby Dolls, or Twin Peeks (get it?) in Charlotte--liberals also just want to have fun.

But, according to a recent report in the New York Times they are pikers as spenders compared with Republicans.

Angelina Spencer, the executive director of the Association of Club Executives, the trade association for strip clubs, when asked which conventioneers drop more at strip clubs, without hesitating, said,  “Hands down, it’s Republicans. Last time the average was $150 for Republicans and $50 for Democrats.”

This his has me all confused--aren't Dems supposed to be the spenders while Republicans are the budget hawks? Then again I guess it's OK to cut off funding for Head Start but not for lap dances in the V.I.P. room at Tampa's Lipstixx.

GOPers, it appears, are just like the clients in Bob Fosse's Sweet Charity where the "hostesses" sing—

The minute you walked in the joint,
I could see you were a man of distinction,
A real Big Spender,
Good looking, so refined.
Say, wouldn't you like to know what's going on in my mind?
So let me get right to the point,
I don't pop my cork for every man I see.
Hey! Big Spender,
Spend a little time with me.