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You feel MrClose comes across as Princeton material?
Quote:
seriously, aren't liberals just a little embarrassed defending this kind of extravagance in tough economic times?
I'll be perfectly serious for about one paragraph: If you want the best and brightest to go for the rotten job as America's Chief Executive, you'd better be prepared to make it possible for those seeking it - and their families - to maintain something resembling their previous lifestyle. The Obamas can't travel on regular airlines or bundle the kids into the car for a roadtrip. That's a freedom that will forever be lost to them. I have no idea why Americans feel the need to hound their elected head of government to this extent, but it seems ingrained in the popular psyche. The cost of having a First Family in the US is, frankly, insanely high due to the Americans themselves.
So - you can either be a force for toning down the rhetoric, or be a part of the problem.
Or - and this is the 3rd option - you can insist that the President and his/her family pay their own expenses, which will make for a great way to insure that the post is reserved for 2 groups: Those truly hungry for power, and those very rich.
"The Obamas' summer break on Martha's Vineyard has already been branded a PR disaster after the couple arrived four hours apart on separate government jets.
But according to new reports, this is the least of their extravagances.
White House sources today claimed that the First Lady has spent $10 million of U.S. taxpayers' money on vacations alone in the past year."
Heck she is saving taxpayer money..on the vodka..she buys it by the barrel.
This is EXACTLY what I'm talking about when I say "penny wise, pound foolish". Sure, she should have gone with him. But the amount saved would have been trivial - basically the cost of the fuel, certainly not $100K. They don't mothball #2 in between trips and staff it with temps, you know. They keep a paid pilot and paid maintenance and paid crew on standby. Their salaries are paid whether they fly or not! The Secret Service people also have full-time employment, they're paid a salary whether or not they fly, and in any kind of vacation. The only difference with them is that they get a little extra money for laundering, eating out, etc - but again that happens any time they go somewhere.
So it basically came down to fuel and a per diem for the SS and crew. What's that, a few thousand? Yes, she could have saved a few thousand. That's nothing in comparison to keeping the war machine overfunded - we're spending as much on the military as Russia, China, and Europe combined - we're spending as much as the next 20 nations combined. And most of that is buying fancy new high-tech gear that's mainly used to blow up camel herders.
Bottom line?
No Office holder has any right to waste any money we work hard for.
Reminds me of the "Waldorf Astoria, Lobster roomservice" crap from '08. I won't believe it wothout a reputable source. They pay for their own vacations, the security detail is covered by "the taxpayers" so, any meals, massages, etc. they pay for.
They pay for their own vacation? Suuuuure they do! The President doesn't make that much money. They couldn't afford the prices of the hotels and meals that she pays.
I've yet to see the premise of this thread supported by any source other than the "mail online" that used the "national enquirer" as their "reliable source". It's garbage.
judicial watch has filed a FOIA for the records:
Judicial Watch Sues US Air Force for Documents Detailing the Cost to Taxpayers for Michelle Obama (http://www.judicialwatch.org/news/2011/aug/judicial-watch-sues-us-air-force-documents-detailing-cost-taxpayers-michelle-obama-s-f - broken link)
in any case, it is kind of ridiculous that she is taking so many vacations (one every 9 days he has been in office) when americans are struggling:
Her vacations, the cost of which are mostly borne by taxpayers, include trips to Panama City, Fla., Martha’s Vineyard, Hawaii, South Africa, Latin America, Vail, Colo., and her visit this week to her brother in Corvallis, Ore.
The total does not include a nine day sojourn in Martha’s Vineyard that the Obamas will enjoy this month. Nor does it include a trip she made to Ireland and Great Britain in May, which I’m counting as official travel.
The total vacation time would have been slightly higher had the Obamas gone as planned for an April weekend in Williamsburg, Va. The trip was cancelled due to an extended stalemate between President Obama and Congress over the budget.
it might be prudent (although unlikely) for her to consider what this is costing taxpayers, when they are asking americans to sacrifice AT THE SAME TIME.
it is the same thing with the food issue with her. she is eating anything she wants, while telling americans they need to change their eating habits. we are just tired of all the hypocrisy. it's the whole issue of "leading by example", and it's not just an obama issue:
Judicial Watch continues to probe the abuse of Air Force Aircraft by Members of Congress. For example, former Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s military travel cost the United States Air Force $2,100,744.59 over a two-year period – $101,429.14 of which was for in-flight expenses, including food and alcohol. Judicial Watch also uncovered documents showing the widespread use of luxury military aircraft by Members of Congress on Speaker-authorized congressional delegation trips (CODELS).
"First Lady Michelle Obama Slipped out of Washington unnoticed Monday for a secret trip to visit her brother, Oregon State University men’s basketball coach Craig Robinson, at his home on Corvallis, Ore.
Mrs. Obama reportedly jetted into the Eugene Airport, landing at about 11 am PDT. She and family members then headed out in a 11 vehicle motorcade for the ride to Corvallis.
The White House has so far said little about the trip, which was unannounced. It’s unclear how long the vacation will last.
Mrs. Obama and family members flew on a Boeing C-40B, the military version of a 737 that serves as Air Force 2."
An Oregon crab fisherman musta hit the mother lode of King Crab.
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The President doesn't make that much money. They couldn't afford the prices of the hotels and meals that she pays.
