Don't Leave Home Without It

Some government workers helping with the Katrina clean up have gotten a huge upgrade on their government issued credit cards' credit limits.

Dome are able to charge as much as $250,000 to the cards (right) -- and you, the taxpayer, get the bill.

About 250,000 federal workers have the cards. Congress -- at the uing of the Bush administration -- raised the credit limit to a quarter million dollars. Even with lower credit limits, there has been widespread abuse associated with the cards. Among the abuses the Government Accountability Office has found over the years:

• Remote-control helicopters
• $2,500 flat-panel computer monitors
• A pet dog
• Prostitutes at brothels
• Gambling expenses
• Tickets to New York Yankees games
• Tickets to Los Angeles Lakers games

One government worker ran up $35,000 in personal expenses -- including breast enlargement surgery for a stripper he was dating.

These cards will really get a workout once the French Quarter reopens. (Boston Globe)