The former House Speaker, who smokes so much that his office had to be fumigated to get rid of the scent of stale cigarette smoke, just landed a fitting post-retirement gig as a director at Reynolds American (RAI), the tobacco company that makes Camel and Newport. (Boehner was known to smoke Camel Ultra Lights.)
Boehner is likely hoping it’ll be easier to oversee Reynolds American’s management than it was to corral rowdy Republican lawmakers.
The jump to Winston-Salem, N.C.-based Reynolds American comes nearly a year after Boehner suddenly stepped down as House Speaker, a day after an emotional meeting with Pope Francis.
Reynolds American revealed the high-profile addition to its board in a statement on Thursday. The No. 2 U.S. tobacco company said Boehner will join the board immediately and serve on its corporate governance, nominating and sustainability committee.
In addition to not worrying about reeking of smoke at his next big meeting, Boehner’s new gig should carry a sweet raise, too.
No specific salary information was released by Reynolds, but directors at the company made at least $300,000 in fees and stock awards last year. One of directors hauled in nearly $1 million.
More on the sordid history, below.
It’s no surprise that “Boner” has taken this path. It’s the same path taken by so many in Congress when they retire—-lucrative jobs as lobbyists or members of the BOD of the same firms that gave them campaign money. Just as many military types retire and go to work for defense contractors, and those from regulatory agencies go to work for those they regulated. And the “raise” in pay leads to an income that is typically 3 to 4 times what they made in Congress, the military, or government. Members of both parties are guilty of this, although, as usual, the Repugnants are the bigger sinners.
(And we think that we elected them to work for us—-LOL)
What’s fascinating is that these people KNOW they have absolutely sold their souls, to the extent they don’t even bother with the pretense of trying to look moral to the public or themselves in the mirror. This is where a life of betrayal to life leads you. John Boehner – how can anyone admit they actually were one of the millions who voted for someone like this?
300K to 1M per year to serve as a part-time professional meeting attender. That sends a strong message to those currently serving in Congress. Be our whore and you can cash in big-time when you leave office!