The First Family's Lifestyle

[Anonymous]

This is the weirdest post ever.

If there are extravagant dinners with heads of state like Mexico's, that's not a personal expense and certainly in line with what every president has done for decades.

If you're pissed that Michelle took her daughters to Europe, that doesn't seem out of line for lawyers and their offspring.

As for paying for their security and transportation, it's the cost of doing business. Should they put their lives completely on hold?

And the Clintons made similar trips. not sure about Bush -- I don't think so but that's to his detriment as he was not very experienced, travel-wise, and that's a disadvantage for our country.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am the PP that agreed with you, I'm going to add that I'm an Independant, not a Republican. Although, around here anything other than "Democrat" seems to irk people.

Exactly. If you're not a very left leaning individual in this region, people look at you as if you're stupid. Even on this site, the assumption is that anyone who deviates from what is seen as their norm is considered a "troll" because they can't imagine people with other views. It's sad. There is a groundswell in this country (I know this from visiting family all across the country in flyover states) and people are fed up. Obama campaigned as a non-status quo canditate, with all the hope and change talk, turns out, he's just the same ol politician.

Quoted poster here. I was out somewhere with a woman from daycare and my daughter did something (I can't remember what) and the woman said "Oh, so she'll grow up to be a Republican!" as a total joke, like it was the worst thing in the world.....and she had no idea what my views are. I said "I'm an Independant and I really don't care if she's a Republican". BTW, she was 2-years-old at the time. I have so many fears for my daughter, but being a Republican is not one of them.

Obama wanted "transparent Government" and then he held meetings at restaurants so he wouldn't have to release the transcripts. Ugh. He's just a politician. Like the rest of them. At least with some you know what you're getting. I find that far more transparent. If you're a jerk, just BE a jerk....I don't care as long as you get your JOB done!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How long did Michelle breastfeed? Why hasn't she come out full force on this issue? Or did he accept a campaign contribution from Similac?

I certainly think that how much money and time the President and his Wife spend on vacations using taxpayer money is far more serious than whether or not Michelle breastfed. Just because it's criticism doesn't mean it's frivolous.

[Anonymous]

Whatever. They are virtual prisoners in the White House because of security measures. It's like that for every president, not just this one. I don't begrudge them trying to figure out entertainment in whatever way they can.

And you can't compare a president's salary and perqs to a CEO's. $400,000 plus an expense account plus security costs doesn't come anywhere close to the average $10 million or so a CEO gets in salary and bonuses and perqs.

[Anonymous]

The answer is, a lot less than other presidents. Criticize how he's performing, not his lifestyle.

[Anonymous]

Actually, I've read that they are on the hook for most personal expenses. And state dinners are not something they do for personal gain. Bush had those too, though perhaps that doesn't fit into your "democrats are horrible people" ideology. Bush was not a traveler - he was a homebody who hated DC and doesn't seem to particularly like foreign travel. As far as I can tell, he pretty much retreated back to Texas as soon as he could, while his dad and Clinton are going all over the world doing humanitarian stuff with Bill Gates. Secret service get paid regardless of where the first family goes - they are on staff. They would require hotel rooms anywhere, and i doubt the taxpayers pay the full normal rate.

Perhaps you could take offense at the cost of the wars in Iran and Afghanistan? Those amount to MUCH, MUCH more than any trip Obama is ever going to take, and quite a few taxpayers are sick of paying for those. Trillions of dollars of OUR money is spent on wars Bush got us into. (somehow republicans think it's ok to spend trillions to bomb the hell out of civilian cities overseas, but not to bail out fellow americans who need health insurance? now THAT's patriotism, people.)

Frankly, as far as i'm concerned, a lot of the "fed up" people in the U.S. are people who are pissed that their candidate didn't win, so they want to take their ball and go home. Guess what, people - your candidate is not always going to win. That's part of living in a democratic society. You accept it and move on. and frankly, your candidate - who I actually like - made the bonehead move of choosing Sarah Palin as his running mate. He didn't deserve to win.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Huh? It's nothing compared to the Reagans'. They make tons of money. Michelle made $375K a year when they lived in Chicago. This is how people in their income bracket, with very little free time, live. Why should they drive American cars and stay at a motel 6?

Yes, but dear, the Obama's are *black*. That kind of behavior is nothing short of uppity. The Reagan's were beautiful movie stars--not common upstarts.

Guessing the OP is one of those Hillary "cougar" protestors. Or a Republican.

[Anonymous]

I agree with OP. If only from a PR standpoint, they really need to tone it down. Jobless numbers are up and they've rented 60 rooms in a European hotel. Looks insensitive and out of touch.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am the PP that agreed with you, I'm going to add that I'm an Independant, not a Republican. Although, around here anything other than "Democrat" seems to irk people.

Exactly. If you're not a very left leaning individual in this region, people look at you as if you're stupid. Even on this site, the assumption is that anyone who deviates from what is seen as their norm is considered a "troll" because they can't imagine people with other views. It's sad. There is a groundswell in this country (I know this from visiting family all across the country in flyover states) and people are fed up. Obama campaigned as a non-status quo canditate, with all the hope and change talk, turns out, he's just the same ol politician.

Quoted poster here. I was out somewhere with a woman from daycare and my daughter did something (I can't remember what) and the woman said "Oh, so she'll grow up to be a Republican!" as a total joke, like it was the worst thing in the world.....and she had no idea what my views are. I said "I'm an Independant and I really don't care if she's a Republican". BTW, she was 2-years-old at the time. I have so many fears for my daughter, but being a Republican is not one of them.

Obama wanted "transparent Government" and then he held meetings at restaurants so he wouldn't have to release the transcripts. Ugh. He's just a politician. Like the rest of them. At least with some you know what you're getting. I find that far more transparent. If you're a jerk, just BE a jerk....I don't care as long as you get your JOB done!

Funny, there was a Gallup poll that was done a while back that showed that folks who self-identified as "Independent" were 99 times out of 100 simply Republicans. Embarrassed Republicans, one can imagine. "*I* am an Independent, but this Republican-bashing has got to stop!"

Whatever.

[Anonymous]

You are absolutely right, OP. The Obamas should buy a huge ranch in Texas where they can spend at least 100 days a year relaxing, getting away from the White House and its pressures, and vacationing, instead of all these cultural, educational excursions to Maine, Europe, the Gulf Coast, and other places where they tour, meet the people, and expand their kids' horizons. You're right, it would be much better for them to seclude themselves on their private property that we have no access to and simply sit around and do nothing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Huh? It's nothing compared to the Reagans'. They make tons of money. Michelle made $375K a year when they lived in Chicago. This is how people in their income bracket, with very little free time, live. Why should they drive American cars and stay at a motel 6?

Yes, but dear, the Obama's are *black*. That kind of behavior is nothing short of uppity. The Reagan's were beautiful movie stars--not common upstarts.

Guessing the OP is one of those Hillary "cougar" protestors. Or a Republican.

I knew the race element would be brought up as a protest. Remember folks, if you have a problem with Obama you are a racist.

[Anonymous]

Also folks, don't forget that Obama inherited this lifestyle from Bush. Lol

[Anonymous]

Remember folks, if you think George W was "presidential" when he went abroad to represent our country, flying on a private 747, wearing a tuxedo, trailing a massive entourage and security detail; but you think that Obama and "that wife of his" are "flashy" and insensitive for doing THE ABSOLUTE SAME THING....then, yes, you have serious racial issues you need to root out and address.

Sorry to hold a mirror up for you to see this obvious, glaring flaw in your character.

[Anonymous]

Sorry, PP here: And not just W, but Clinton, Bush I, Reagan, Carter, Ford, Nixon, etc, etc...

[Anonymous]

Unfortunately, the POTUS and his (and someday soon, I ppray "her") family are entitled to secret service and f;ying on a US Air Force Plane. It is only called Air Force One if the President is aboard. Also, what can you expect from a woman who wears $500.00 athletic shoes to feed the homeless?