Michelle Obama's Spain Trip --

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If I can't criticize the Obamas because they are Black, that's another kind of racism. I posted the CBS numbers above. (I also started a thread on this subject on the Off Topic forum a few days ago.)We don't know how much the trip cost U.S. taxpayers. As for the drop in a bucket argument, this is discretionary spending over which the president and his wife have absolute control, unlike the war, bailout, etc. This is not just about the dollar amount, it's about the symbolism of this kind of discretionary spending, at this kind of resort, in this kind of location when the economy has lost tens of thousands of jobs and the unemployment rate is quite high. This is Michelle Obama's EIGHTH vacation in the past several months. She's got several more this month. (The Gulf and Martha's Vineyard.) It's a bit much to me. It would be if the First Family were white or Republican.

I guess it was more understandable when George Bush spent more time at his hacienda than he did in Washington. He didn't want to run up the Air Force One bill with all that flying back and forth.

[aprilmayjune]

This is just rediculous. The hardcore supporters are telling us to look at the facts. We throw facts back at you (like the fact that whether or not we paid for their actual vacation, gassing those airforce one planes costs a lot, and secret service members make bank, all that we ARE paying for, whether you choose to realize this or not.) and insults (spewing hatred and something about someone being undersexed and jealous or something) are thrown back. When you're wrong you're wrong. trying to hurt feelings, isn't going to help make your point any stronger. The fact is, that we are looking at facts. The fact that this makes me angry is indeed one of the reasons I don't like Obama, the fact that NONE of the things that he said he would accomplish have been accomplished is another reason. He is a great speaker, but he is all bark and absolutely no bite. I can't wait until 2012, and I pray that someone competant is running then, and that we as the people have the common sense to vote for him/her. (And just for the record, I was originally an Obama supporter, because, as a PP stated, he was the lesser of two evils.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:See the newest article on the Associated press. the other people paid their own expenses and the hotel that she stayed in was booked by the Secret service so they could guard the hotel. she was visiting a dear friend who's father just died. people need to get all the facts before passing judgement. she deserves to visit close friends during their time of need for a few days. this is not as lavish as one would think. GW Bush who was our president spent 1020 days on vacation during his term. don't forget about that. we paid for all his vacations.

Why did it take the White Hose a week to come out with the "truth,\."? Also, her friend's father died a while back and MO did not attend funeral. I don't care if she and her other "guests" paid for their hotel and personal needs, did they chip ina nd pay for the use of a US air force plane?

They probably didn't think it was anyone's business why Michelle Obama took one daughter on a trip for 4 days, spending her own money, and only after a week of ridiculous outrage over this trip realized more information would probably be a good idea.

Yes she took an Air Force plane and had necessary Secret Service protection with her. That goes with the territory.

[aprilmayjune]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:See the newest article on the Associated press. the other people paid their own expenses and the hotel that she stayed in was booked by the Secret service so they could guard the hotel. she was visiting a dear friend who's father just died. people need to get all the facts before passing judgement. she deserves to visit close friends during their time of need for a few days. this is not as lavish as one would think. GW Bush who was our president spent 1020 days on vacation during his term. don't forget about that. we paid for all his vacations.

Why did it take the White Hose a week to come out with the "truth,\."? Also, her friend's father died a while back and MO did not attend funeral. I don't care if she and her other "guests" paid for their hotel and personal needs, did they chip ina nd pay for the use of a US air force plane?

They probably didn't think it was anyone's business why Michelle Obama took one daughter on a trip for 4 days, spending her own money, and only after a week of ridiculous outrage over this trip realized more information would probably be a good idea.

Yes she took an Air Force plane and had necessary Secret Service protection with her. That goes with the territory.

And this is how WE ARE PAYING FOR HER VACATION. This is what people are failing to realize, understand, or care about. Do you have any idea how expensive that is? Far more money was spent by taxpayers on payroll, gas and accomodations for the Secret Service/air force plane than she would have paid out of pocket for this trip, and this is the case for every trip anyone in their family makes. One vacation probably costs more than most of us make in a year.

[Anonymous]

IF we didn't pay for her to fly to Spain we'd be paying for her to fly somewhere else. Should we also complain if they use Heinz ketchup in the White House instead of Giant Brand? Seriously... some people's asses apparently aren't tight enough... they need to get their panties in a severe bunch up there to feel properly anal...

[aprilmayjune]

Well now there was a perfectly appropriate and civilized response. That's exactly the point though.. Whether you like to realize it or not, it costs thousands, if not millions anytime they travel, not including the cost of whatever their trip actually is. Don't you think it's a tad rediculous to compare that amount with what brand of ketchup they use?

[Anonymous]

I'm a HUGE Obama supporter, but this is getting to be a bit much. Sure, they have earned their money and deserve to spend it however they wish (by the way, the Obamas pay for everything they consume in the White House other than at official occasions), but in a time of economic crisis, 8 vacations this summer (from WHAT, I'd like to know) doesn't look good. The private chef, the personal trainer, the hairdresser all flown in from Chicago does seem a bit lavish at a time when everyone is being exhorted (by the President, no less) to make sacrifices. Yes, the First Lady should be able to take a trip with her kid and some friends, but the scale of this one, at THIS time, seems a bit extravagant. By the way, the Spain trip was added only recently, and I'm not buying the grieving friend scenario.

[Anonymous]

aprilmayjune wrote:Well now there was a perfectly appropriate and civilized response. That's exactly the point though.. Whether you like to realize it or not, it costs thousands, if not millions anytime they travel, not including the cost of whatever their trip actually is. Don't you think it's a tad rediculous to compare that amount with what brand of ketchup they use?

Well, comparing the amount spent on trips to the amount spend on countless other illsighted programs is ridiculous. Our deficit is in the TRILLIONS. You are fretting over less than a million dollars.

My point is that the President could cut infinite corners in the interest of saving money. He could use only store brand products. Eat only rice and beans. Never take a vacation. Where do we stop? Given that Michelle paid for the accommodations herself and probably was required to fly on US Air Force jet, I just don't see why you have so much animus about this. You are talking about not even a drop in the bucket as if it is the most egregious use of funds ever. It's not. By your logic, Michelle should never go anywhere unless it is official state business. Is that really fair?

[aprilmayjune]

Anonymous wrote:

aprilmayjune wrote:Well now there was a perfectly appropriate and civilized response. That's exactly the point though.. Whether you like to realize it or not, it costs thousands, if not millions anytime they travel, not including the cost of whatever their trip actually is. Don't you think it's a tad rediculous to compare that amount with what brand of ketchup they use?

Well, comparing the amount spent on trips to the amount spend on countless other illsighted programs is ridiculous. Our deficit is in the TRILLIONS. You are fretting over less than a million dollars.

My point is that the President could cut infinite corners in the interest of saving money. He could use only store brand products. Eat only rice and beans. Never take a vacation. Where do we stop? Given that Michelle paid for the accommodations herself and probably was required to fly on US Air Force jet, I just don't see why you have so much animus about this. You are talking about not even a drop in the bucket as if it is the most egregious use of funds ever. It's not. By your logic, Michelle should never go anywhere unless it is official state business. Is that really fair?

Just to clarify first of all, I'm only partly talking about this particular vacation. But the frequent weekends in Martha's Vinyard, at least a few trips to Chicago, Hawaii vacations etc etc...

And here's what CNN had to say:
According to CBS News, the tax dollar part of the vacation include an estimated $146,000 round-trip cost for the U.S. Air Force 757 aircraft, not counting ground time; about $95,000 in hotel costs for an estimated 70 security personnel -- Secret Service and military -- who get a $273-a-day government per diem, plus costs for the dozen or so cars in her motorcade. I'm told that three shifts of agents are needed for a trip of this magnitude.




And yo unotice I haven't said anything about her tirp to Mexico city, because she went there to accomplish something. If they were getting ANYTHING done I would have no problem, but you pointing out our trillions in defecit is really part of my point, they should be focusing on how to fix the problems our country is facing right now, but they are constantly making decisions that are only worsening our problems.

[Anonymous]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/08/10/AR2010081004224.html

I liked Kathleen Parker's take on it in the WaPo this morning. I think it was very nuanced and reflective.

[Anonymous]

And how much did Bush's trips to Midland cost taxpayers? $10 million a year, total? That's a rounding error. It really doesn't bother me, much like Congressmen giving themselves 3% raises doesn't bother me.

Even if Obama and Michelle took two weeks vacation per year, the entire security apparatus would have to get hauled along with them. It's simply not cheap to send the President anywhere.

Isn't there a White House household budget that is appropriated and would cover food, renovations, vacations, etc.?

Could the appropriate party's national committee handle the costs of stuff like this (e.g. the RNC would pay for Republican presidential vacations and the DNC would pay for Democratic presidential vacations?)

[Anonymous]

Bush's home is in Midland, TX. I don't begrudge a president and family going to their home and even all the extra expensive for everything that has to be done for his and family security. Spain, to comfort a freind? Too much and the White House explanation is a day late and a dollar short.

Don't kid yourself that this trip won't be used against the Dems for the "extravagance" of the First Lady when so many Americans are suffering.

It was a foolish and frivilous trip and there will be political consequences.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Bush's home is in Midland, TX. I don't begrudge a president and family going to their home and even all the extra expensive for everything that has to be done for his and family security. Spain, to comfort a freind? Too much and the White House explanation is a day late and a dollar short.

Don't kid yourself that this trip won't be used against the Dems for the "extravagance" of the First Lady when so many Americans are suffering.

It was a foolish and frivilous trip and there will be political consequences.

Oh, it'll be used against Michelle Antoinette.

Much like "absentee President" Bush was an issue for Democrats, although I suspect that only made Democrats angrier. Likewise, this will just make Republicans angrier.

It'll fade away when Congress gets back and the campaign season kicks off in earnest. Silly season and all that. Remember the shark attacks and Gary Condit before 9/11?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:IF we didn't pay for her to fly to Spain we'd be paying for her to fly somewhere else. Should we also complain if they use Heinz ketchup in the White House instead of Giant Brand? Seriously... some people's asses apparently aren't tight enough... they need to get their panties in a severe bunch up there to feel properly anal...

Heinz Ketchup is made in America and she wouldn't have to fly to Spain to procure a bottle. Maybe Giant ketchup is made in Spain and so that's why she went to Spain.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Bush's home is in Midland, TX. I don't begrudge a president and family going to their home and even all the extra expensive for everything that has to be done for his and family security. Spain, to comfort a freind? Too much and the White House explanation is a day late and a dollar short.

Don't kid yourself that this trip won't be used against the Dems for the "extravagance" of the First Lady when so many Americans are suffering.

It was a foolish and frivilous trip and there will be political consequences.

Oh, it'll be used against Michelle Antoinette.

Much like "absentee President" Bush was an issue for Democrats, although I suspect that only made Democrats angrier. Likewise, this will just make Republicans angrier.

It'll fade away when Congress gets back and the campaign season kicks off in earnest. Silly season and all that. Remember the shark attacks and Gary Condit before 9/11?

Well, she does have a "let them eat cake" attitude.