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We know they didn't spend one penny of their own money although they do have much more than most of us that is their own.
Actually, that particular bit would be incorrect; the First Family is responsible for their own food, dining out, clothing, etc. So, while the travel itself is paid by us, any other money they spend is their own.
I'm not thrilled that we have to pay for our highest politicians' travel, but it is a necessary evil. It's not like they can fly Delta to go somewhere, you know? And I don't really think it's fair to ask them to forgo all travel, considering the weight of the job of the presidency. George W. Bush took plenty of vacations, and I never complained about his travel expenditures. They are a part of the job, and, yes, the time off from the job (which they never really have, anyway).
I seriously doubt he did anything precedent-setting. Look at all of Bush's trips to Crawford, TX, Reagan's to CA, etc. Most presidents have some sort of "alternate" White House they retreat to, e.g. Nixon's "Western White House" in California. If he was spending his own money on the "date", why do you guys care so much?
It's apparently the new GOP talking point.
Quote:
“As President Obama prepares to wing into Manhattan’s theater district on Air Force One to take in a Broadway show, GM is preparing to file bankruptcy and families across America continue to struggle to pay their bills,” RNC spokeswoman Gail Gitcho said in an email this afternoon.
That’s not all from Gitcho. She then added a snitty, “Have a great Saturday evening — even if you’re not jetting off somewhere at taxpayer expense."
The point Katrina is... election of the Messiah was supposed to be change from doing business like the past...
This wasn't business. A date is for pleasure.
Reagan and Nixon had California, Nixon also went to Florida a lot, Bush and LBJ spent a LOT of time in Texas, Jimmy Carter went to Georgia, and whoever is elected after Obama will have his or her own place to go and hide, and the trips to and from will be picked up by America, and they should be.
The President is on call 24/7/365, unless, of course, he is reading a book to a primary school class and can't be bothered.
The same one that allowed Reagan to go to California, Bush to Texas, etc.
We are talking apples & oranges here.
Date night is a bit different than flying to the Western WH.
Quote:
Obama will have his or her own place to go and hide, and the trips to and from will be picked up by America, and they should be.
I agree. This however, is for purely entertainment purposes - paid for by the taxpayer.
The point is really the hypocrisy - as obama and his mate flit around the country going to dinner, he is asking for "shared sacrifice", "belt tightening". "everyone has to give". Those statements don't jive with his carefree behavior.
Date night is a bit different than flying to the Western WH.
I agree. This however, is for purely entertainment purposes - paid for by the taxpayer.
The point is really the hypocrisy - as obama and his mate flit around the country going to dinner, he is asking for "shared sacrifice", "belt tightening". "everyone has to give". Those statements don't jive with his carefree behavior.
"Date night is a bit different than flying to the Western WH". Yes, a trip to the WWH lasted longer than an eveing. The WWH was a place of retreat from the public. "That's different"- that's rich!
so you think the pres should hop in a 1989 chevy van and take the mrs on a date night, making their own way to the theater. get real people
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