The First Family's Lifestyle

[Anonymous]

I think we have to face facts: Bush and Co. so trashed our economy that there's really no way to dig out of it without tax increases. I regret that Obama has to take the blame for tax increases, but I'm glad he's the one at the helm, as I think the middle class has a a better chance under Obama than they did under Bush.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Too many people really hate to see this fabulous well educated black couple living better than they are. I think their natural sense of entitlement kicks in and they can’t help themselves! Btw, before you flame… I am White!

Too many people cannot get over the fact that Obama is not perfect and these people cannot see that people who complain about him might have legitimate complaints. Instead they ignorantly dismiss any complaints as racism.

BTW, just because you like and support Obama does not make you exempt from being a racist yourself--you certainly have the back-asswards thinking needed to be one.

PP: On behalf of all people who have legitimately had a reason to say they have been a victim of racism I'm going to apologize for your silly attack on the poster above you. People like you make it suck for everyone

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do you understand how government works? The man doesn't decree an agenda and poof! He has to work through two -very uncooperative and dysfunctional- groups of people on the Hill first. The party of no -GOP- has been masterful at being an impediment at every turn. The head of my Agency -a very low level, unimportant in the rank of things- has been a holdover b/c of the folks with "r" after their name. This guy is not responsible for security, health, safety . . . yet the biggest production and behind the scenes maneuvering is going on. By both sides. It is disgusting. It is dysfunctional. It is Obama's reality. It is our reality. And, it is a real problem for this and any president to completely follow through on all their campaign promises. But, surely you realize that campaigning is different than governing, right?

Yes, poor Mr. President. If only he had a majority in both houses. But alas.

[Anonymous]

Back to the narrow interpretation of the topic: I'm generally pro-Obama(s) but am a little put off by the sheer loveliness of their summer. I do think they ought to have kept their affluent enjoyment profile a bit lower when so many of the President's constituents are moving between struggling and less painful but still somewhat depressing frugality during these difficult years.

No vacation for me, hardly any disposable income, no new clothes for Fall... and we're not in any danger of losing our home or defaulting on payments. So many are, whether or not the Obamas are simply living the way the well-paid professional class lives, that I do find their otherwise lovely vacation pix a bit tone-deaf.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do you understand how government works? The man doesn't decree an agenda and poof! He has to work through two -very uncooperative and dysfunctional- groups of people on the Hill first. The party of no -GOP- has been masterful at being an impediment at every turn. The head of my Agency -a very low level, unimportant in the rank of things- has been a holdover b/c of the folks with "r" after their name. This guy is not responsible for security, health, safety . . . yet the biggest production and behind the scenes maneuvering is going on. By both sides. It is disgusting. It is dysfunctional. It is Obama's reality. It is our reality. And, it is a real problem for this and any president to completely follow through on all their campaign promises. But, surely you realize that campaigning is different than governing, right?

Yes, poor Mr. President. If only he had a majority in both houses. But alas.

Except he doesn't need 50 votes in the Senate - he needs 60 votes. That's because of the filibuster. So one Lieberman, or one Nelson, can hold everything up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Too many people really hate to see this fabulous well educated black couple living better than they are. I think their natural sense of entitlement kicks in and they can’t help themselves! Btw, before you flame… I am White!

Too many people cannot get over the fact that Obama is not perfect and these people cannot see that people who complain about him might have legitimate complaints. Instead they ignorantly dismiss any complaints as racism.

BTW, just because you like and support Obama does not make you exempt from being a racist yourself--you certainly have the back-asswards thinking needed to be one.

PP: On behalf of all people who have legitimately had a reason to say they have been a victim of racism I'm going to apologize for your silly attack on the poster above you. People like you make it suck for everyone

You should also apologize to yourself on my behalf because I don't think you're very bright. Why do I make things suck? Because I don't believe the litmus test for racism is whether or not someone thinks Obama is doing a good job? Sorry I've destroyed your simplistic view of the world. Next time maybe I can ruin your life by telling you that the Easter Bunny isn't real.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

let's not forget that the secret service have to travel everywhere these two travel for life.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do you understand how government works? The man doesn't decree an agenda and poof! He has to work through two -very uncooperative and dysfunctional- groups of people on the Hill first. The party of no -GOP- has been masterful at being an impediment at every turn. The head of my Agency -a very low level, unimportant in the rank of things- has been a holdover b/c of the folks with "r" after their name. This guy is not responsible for security, health, safety . . . yet the biggest production and behind the scenes maneuvering is going on. By both sides. It is disgusting. It is dysfunctional. It is Obama's reality. It is our reality. And, it is a real problem for this and any president to completely follow through on all their campaign promises. But, surely you realize that campaigning is different than governing, right?

Yes, poor Mr. President. If only he had a majority in both houses. But alas.

Of course you know that it is not that easy. But, that would be an intellectual thought. Something you're clearly not capable of.

As for tax increases, it is going to be necessary. Much as I don't like it. And, the champion of the right -Pres. Reagan- raised taxes SEVERAL times after the one larger tax break that many point to as an example of "trickle down" economics. Bush and Co. (and the Congress) left us a HUGE hole. We have lots to pay for. You need money to do that. Thus taxes.