Initial reports of Sen. Harry Reid's (D-NV) trip to China only stated that the trip's purpose was to promote commerce between the U.S. and China, as well as to have heart-to-heart discussions about human rights.  For security concerns, the media was told that the itinerary of the trip was being kept confidential. 

Shortly after Reid left the U.S., reports about high-profile Sen. Harry Reid traveling to China began to add more details.  The stories began mentioning that Reid was being accompanied by nine other U.S. Senators.  That's understandable.  Why should one expect Harry Reid to travel to a land with security concerns all by himself? 

By the time Reid and the other nine Senators were settled into their accommodating residences in the land of security concerns, word came that Reid was accompanied not only by nine other Senators, but also by the Senators' spouses and select staffers and officers.  Naturally, one wonders why Harry Reid and nine other U.S. Senators would drag their spouses and staff members to the depths of China where there are security concerns. 

It makes one think that the biggest reason for keeping the itinerary of the trip unknown to the media and the American public is because it's very possible Reid and the others don't want us to know exactly what our American taxes are paying for on this excusion. 

Typical of the media, however, details of the secretive China trip are beginning to leak.  More than just the number of travellers has become disconcerting information for the cash-strapped American tax-payer.  While 'all work and no play' may make Reid and the other U.S. Senators dull senators, let them be dull when it's on our dime. 

The congressional delegation, or the 'codel' as they are called by the Washington in-crowd, have been attending meetings with such persons as China's Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, China’s Vice Premier Wang Qishan, and Zhou Xiaochuan who is the president of the People's Bank of China.  While none of this information is difficult to find regarding the trip, it has taken the American press some time and effort to find out about the stops and accommodations the entourage is experiencing throughout their week stay.  (THE ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW THE ADVERTISEMENT.)

According to the Washington Post, the 'codel' has ventured to areas known for shopping, high-class dining, and gambling in such places as Hong Kong and MaCau.  Hong Kong is known for tourists' shopping excursions, and MaCau has been said to make Las Vegas look like a joke in  a gaming comparison.  MaCau reportedly has the only gambling establishments in all of China.  Of the several casinos located there, one is the Wynn MaCau Casino which is headed by Steve Wynn who is said to be a big-time Harry Reid supporter. 

One might reason that after the tough campaign in which Reid nearly lost his Senate seat to Sharon Angle last year in Nevada, he needs a vacation.  But, again, on our dime? 

For the record, the other Senators with spouses keeping Reid company on this get-away are Dick Durbin (D-IL), Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Johnny Isakson (GA), Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Mike Enzi (R-WY), and Richard Shelby (R-AL). 

About all that many of us will want to know, when they return to the States, is how the slots in MaCau compare to the slots in Las Vegas.  To get our dime's worth, we ought to be told. 

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Sources: Fobes, CNN, Washington Post, ABC