It’s nice to see the Department of State has their priorities in order: Mere hours before the shutdown occurred, an order was placed to Vermont-based company Simon Pearce for 12,000 custom stemware glasses, The Daily Mail reports.
These decadent pieces go for up to $85 a glass, and will be used in American embassies all around the world. While this expenditure is hardly surprising given the reckless spending of other government agencies before the fiscal year ended, the fact that ambassadors are supposed to have the finances to pay for their own entertainment makes such a purchase by the State Department particularly questionable.
Landing a gig as an ambassador rarely stems not from political savvy or a sound reputation, contrary to popular belief. It’s more about being a politically connected figure with a large bank roll. Ambassadors foot the bill to cover the exorbitant costs of the lavish parties and dinners they’re expected to host in order to keep America’s generous reputation alive. Some wind up paying more than $1 million a year out of their own pockets, according to Business Week.