Republicans have found a new way to tax us.

There is now a charge to talk to your Congressvarmint.  But, thankfully, only the Republican ones.

It will cost $15 to ask Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) a question in person during the August congressional recess.

The House Budget Committee chairman isn’t holding any face-to-face open-to-the-public town hall meetings during the recess, but like several of his colleagues he will speak only for residents willing to open their wallets.

Ryan, who took substantial criticism from his southeast Wisconsin constituents in April after he introduced the Republicans’ budget proposal, isn’t the only member of congress whose August recess town hall-style meetings are strictly pay-per-view.

Rep. Ben Quayle (R-Ariz.) is scheduled to appear Aug. 23 at a luncheon gathering of the Arizona Republican Lawyers Association. For $35, attendees can question Quayle and enjoy a catered lunch at the Phoenix office of the Snell & Wilmer law firm.

And Rep. Chip Cravaack (R-Minn.) took heat in Duluth this weekend for holding private events in his district’s population and media center.

Now, I was born at night but it wasn’t last night, so I completely understand that the purpose of this charge is to keep the riff-raff out.  You know, folks who might question their congressvarmint’s voting record on social security and Medicare.  I get that part.

Republicans don’t want to hear from the regular folks, and since money comes before honor, well, this was an idea just made for Republicans.

I want to tell you something.  I have listened to Paul Ryan many times and he has yet to say anything I’d pay to hear.  It ain’t like he’s James Taylor or Bruce Springsteen.  And, personally, I think the man needs to do more listening than talking.

Thanks to David for the heads-up.