'Frugal' Ron Paul Spends Big on First-Class Travel

(Newser) – For someone so big on small government, "deficit hawk" Ron Paul has racked up a hefty first-class flight bill for taxpayers to foot. The Texas congressman charged taxpayers $52,000 for first-class flights to his home state—that's about $27,000 more than economy seats on the Washington, DC, to Houston flights would have cost, reports AP. His congressional staff says economy tickets aren't refundable—or as flexible as first-class for scheduling. Or as comfortable... (Read more Ron Paul stories.)