I find it hard to believe that the Obama's continue to travel all over the world on our dime, so to speak!
I know that is the job of the POTUS, but these side trips by Michelle and the children is a little too much for a nation where people are losing their jobs and homes; the unemployed can't find jobs and are no out of unemployment funds; and a great number of those who have found a job have been unlucky enough to now be "Underemployed!"
It sure seems to me that the Obama's are quite insensitive to the portion of this nation that is hurting, and, in their own way, each trip seems to be telling American's to "go eat cake?"
Is it necessary that Michelle and her daughters visit Spain, India, Hawaii, Ireland and England, Martha's Vineyard, and now South Africa, to go on a safari, visit Bishop TUTU, and see the sites?
Each trip costs money (to pay Secret Service, WH staffers, fuel for Air Force One, rental cars, hotels - five star hotels - transportation of bullet proof cars WH equipment and baggage, to name just a few of the many costs) food, , and that money could go to help others in this dire time of need (like extending unemployment another 26 weeks).
I know the liberals on the board will jump all over me for this OP, but, I am only asking a question that I'm sure many Americans are asking, too!
Bon Voyage, and BE sure to Take Tons of Photos to Share With Us When You Return. :tear:
Pastor Paul :type:
While Many Americans Suffer: Obama's Travel, Everywhere!
Discussion in 'Political Debate & Discussion' started by righteousdude2, Jun 21, 2011.
Page 1 of 3
-
righteousdude2 Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
-
I didn't check all of your facts, but I do know the girls did not come here to Ireland.
How do President Obama's travels compare to other recent presidents. I know that President Clinton and the recent President Bush both visited here.
And, by the way, differing with you on details like presidential travel does not make one a liberal. -
righteousdude2 Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
Thanks for the Fact Check!
-
-
I don't begrudge the first family travelling together. I think families should stay together whenever possible. That vast majority of the expense is protecting the president. The difference for adding his family is minimal. -
I think the thread title is a bit misleading. I do not begrudge the POTUS traveling, but the Mrs has made many a trip w/o her hubby - now that I understand may be a bit excessive...
-
Crabtownboy Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
-
-
Wow; this isn't about the president, but just caught it less than an hour ago, and was thinking of starting a topic, and it has even less justification.
All the focus on "government spending/waste" has focused on "taking money from one person and giving it to another" (who supposedly didn't "earn" it), but the people complaining about that almost never mention all the money that remains within the government, and is given to no one.
http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/video/tax-payer-money-spent-study-foreign-billboards-13900976
Basically, an all expense paid first class luxury world-tour for a group of officials (and even their foreign hosts), to "study billboards". (They seem to be claiming it is a "large savings of research dollars and time". Wonder why the government has to research this in the first place. Wouldn't that be more the concern of the private sector?).
It's since been canceled, but look at how much was already spent, and just think of how much more of this goes on. -
Earth Wind and Fire Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
Thanks Eric,
I will be forwarding that out to the NJ Dept of Human Services ---Div of Temp Assistance & Social Services as an FYI. :thumbs: -
The FIrst Lady's press office referred to White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs' statement at the White House briefing yesterday that "the First Lady is on a private trip."She is a private citizen and is the mother of a daughter on a private trip," he said. "And I think I'd leave it at that."
Read more: http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20012789-503544.html#ixzz1Q14g83sp
Yes some of the Laura Bush, Hilary Clinton, Barbara Busy, Nacy Reagan, Rosalin Carter etc... trips have been costly and unnecessary.
Mrs. Obam's s Spain trip was personal and private according to the White House, here is just part of the cost: "So a 6.5 hour flight to Spain would run $73,781.50 - double for the round trip." Also we had this statement "
The White House says that as a policy, official trips by the first family are paid by the government but all personal elements paid are personally. Since this is a private trip, the White House seems to be suggesting that the Obamas are personally paying all costs associated with the vacation.
But there appears to be some wiggle room there, in part because the Secret Service must protect the First Family, and the cost to taxpayers would presumably go up during travel.
A few years ago, as Knoller notes, the Government Accountability Office did an analysis of presidential travel at the behest of Congress. The Secret Service refused to divulge how many personnel and costs are associated with safeguarding a protectee during a trip, citing its policy to not give up information that might be used to gauge a level of protection."
If it was reimbursed as far as the airfare and the hotel rooms for her and all her party except the secret service them more power to them. If they didn't then all of us americans foot the bill for a very expensive trip. -
A White House trip probably costs less than what we spend to kill Moslem civilians in one day.
-
BY THE WAY, which suffering Americans did you have in mind? Everyone makes their own bed, right? BB doesn't care about Dems, union members, people in other religions, left wingers . . . they all get what they deserve, right? No good Baptist Republican is suffering, right?
-
Christ cared about all mankind and so do we as believers.
Then you bring organizations into the mix, individuals we are to care about no matter what they are affiliatedwith. -
righteousdude2 Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
Cheap Shot?
The numerous trips the first lady is taking, with her children and "some friends" is taking advantage of the system at a time when it doesn't need to be taken advantage of.
You guys complain about Medicare, Social Security, etc., but have no problems with personal trips abroad that don't accomplish anything by the name of American foreign policy.
The last few years of the Bush administration and the Obama years come with the need for politicians to prudently and wisely spend taxpayer money.
I would access a fifteen yeard penalty and loss of down for that response :wavey: -
>You guys complain about Medicare, Social Security, etc.
I don't complain about SS. Medicare could be improved but is better than a kick in the pants for many old people. -
The Oval Office has said that the Obama's pay for private aspects of their trips. Unless we are just going to assume they are lying without any evidence I don't this is anything more than another distraction from the very real issues.
-
-
This thread is kind of petty
-
Page 1 of 3