Did you folks see the Paducah Sun editorial about how mean and awful Jack Conway is?

Here are some excerpts:

At first glance, candidate Conway seems to be on to something. The Conway campaign issued a press release revealing that Lt.  Gov. Dan Mongiardo collects a $2,500 monthly housing allowance, but he usually stays at his in-laws’ house while in Frankfort. On both his June 2008 marriage license and his daughter’s December 2009 birth certificate, Mongiardo listed his in-laws’ address as his own.

In other words, he is pocketing taxpayer funds intended for his housing. It sounds somewhat callous at a time when the cash-strapped state is trying to hold the line on spending.

The amount of the housing allowance is small relative to the $17 billion state budget, so small that it almost escaped the notice of budget writers in the legislature. But the ever-alert attorney general was there to make sure they didn’t miss it.

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In this case, the allowance actually saves the taxpayers money. Prior to Gov. Ernie Fletcher’s administration, the lieutenant governor resided in the Old Governor’s Mansion while in Frankfort. Lt. Gov. Steve Henry was the last to use it. But the staffing and upkeep of the historic residence, built in 1798, was $300,000 a year. By paying the lieutenant governor a $30,000 annual housing allowance and closing the mansion as a residence — it is still used for ceremonial functions — the commonwealth comes out ahead.

In the same release in which Conway criticizes Mongiardo for not using the allowance for a Frankfort residence, he criticizes him for using it to purchase a home. Mongiardo bought a farmhouse in Franklin County last year. The problem, Conway says, is that Mongiardo does not occupy the house, which clearly proves he does not need it.

Mongiardo’s simple explanation is that the furnace was not working in the farmhouse. “Now that the weather’s breaking, I’ll be back out there.”

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Conway’s press release call on Mongiardo “to stop abusing the public trust, immediately give up the housing allowance and return any money that has been used to pay for a house he doesn’t live in.”

That’s absurd. This is a bogus issue.

Unfortunately for the Paducah Sun’s right wing editorial board, they missed the point.

I get what they’re saying. We all do. But the real issues? Lt. Dan can’t provide proof about when he moved out of that farmhouse – and we all know he’s been living in his in-laws’ basement since day one in Frankfort. Just ask the KSP. He’s been unable to tell anyone when his furnace will be repaired and has refused to prove he isn’t living in his in-laws’ basement. It shows he’s got a lack of character and it’s shady.

The Bowling Green Daily News got it right:

As lieutenant governor of Kentucky and a U.S. Senate candidate, Daniel Mongiardo should have known better than to accept a $30,000 annual housing allowance from the taxpayers when in reality he was living with his in-laws for most of this time.

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What is even more disturbing is that Mongiardo admitted that he had used $2,500 a month of the housing allowance “to pay for an old farm house” he and his wife bought a year ago in Franklin County.

While there may not be anything illegal about Mongiardo’s actions, it does raise some serious concerns about his integrity and judgment, especially during the tough economic times Kentuckians are currently living in.

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Mongiardo admits he was staying with his in-laws since becoming lieutenant governor, so why was he accepting a housing allowance that is paid for by the taxpayers?

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Mr. Mongiardo, maybe a private citizen could get away with a statement like that, but you are the lieutenant governor and a candidate for the U.S. Senate.

Where you live is the people’s business, especially when you are collecting $30,000 per year from the citizens of Kentucky for a housing allowance while staying with in-laws.

As lieutenant governor, one would think that Mongiardo would lead by example, but he certainly hasn’t in this particular case.

Ouch.