Clinton enjoying taxpayer-funded benefits

WASHINGTON, April 11 (UPI) -- Former President Bill Clinton's federally funded expenses since leaving office exceed those of the other two living former U.S. presidents, The Politico said.

Since January 2001, Clinton has received $8 million for everything from pension payments and health benefits to staff salaries and office rent, the newspaper reports. George H.W. Bush received $5.5 million during the period and Jimmy Carter $4 million.

The totals do not include Secret Service protection since the agency does not report how much it spends.

Some of Clinton's greater expenses come from his decision to locate in New York and rent office space there. He also receives some benefits as a two-term president that Carter and Bush do not.

Clinton has taken full advantage of money he is eligible for, The Politico said. He and his wife, Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., recently released tax returns showing they made $111 million between 2001 and 2007.

Congress mandated payment of office expenses for ex-presidents so they would not have to do demeaning things to make money. But some people argue that recent presidents, including Clinton, have shown they can do very well.

"The benefits taxpayers shell out for their care and feeding just don't make sense anymore," said Pete Sepp, a spokesman for the National Taxpayers Union.