"Pay Per View" Congressmen? Republicans take the money and run!!

Talk about the party for the rich!Now we've seen reports that at least two more Republican members of Congress -- Reps. Lou Barletta (R-PA) and Renee Ellmers (R-NC) -- are avoiding public constituent meetings this August recess, opting instead for the "pay per view" events . This new "pay per view" practice mocks the spirit of Democracy and the First Amendment, and tends to weed out non-supporters in order to shield members of Congress from criticism or even challenging questions.

Talk to Paul Ryan? It'll cost you

Steve G. Jozefczyk of Franklin, Wis., gets out of his front row seat and walks up to Paul Ryan as he challenges Ryan's Federal budget proposal as Ryan holds a town hall meeting. | AP Photo By outsourcing the events to third parties, members of Congress can eliminate the riffraff. | AP Photo

By REID J. EPSTEIN | 8/16/11 6:18 AM EDT

It will cost $15 to ask Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) a question in person during the August congressional recess.

The House Budget Committee chairman isn’t holding any face-to-face open-to-the-public town hall meetings during the recess, but like several of his colleagues he will speak only for residents willing to open their wallets.

Tags: Budget, Committee, Congressman, Cost, House, Meeting, Pay, Per, Republican, View, More…chairman