Welfare convention

Nevada Republicans held what they called “‘We Built It’ Convention Watch Parties” in Reno and Las Vegas where participants watched the Republican National Convention proceedings.

The name of the parties was a reference to Barack Obama’s “You didn’t build that” comment about businesses using services provided by the public.

What the local Republicans saw on the television screens was a convention paid for with $18.3 million in taxpayer dollars, held in a hall built by $140 million in taxpayer money, served by streetcars of the Hillsborough Area Regional Transportation Authority owned by the Tampa public and otherwise reachable on public roads, guarded by publicly-funded police and additional security provided by $50 million in U.S. Department of Homeland Security funds.

The Democratic National Convention in North Carolina this week receives similar public assistance.