Question- politics related

CTri17 · December 2010

Who cares if Mrs. Obama wants to take her daughter to Spain? Why do we care if they spend their money to go on a trip just because this is a "hard" financial time?

Seriously?

/vent

ablou · December 2010

CTri17:
Who cares if Mrs. Obama wants to take her daughter to Spain? Why do we care if they spend their money to go on a trip just because this is a "hard" financial time?
Seriously?
/vent

Yes

DaisyFull · December 2010

Agreed.

onislandtime · December 2010

I agree as well

grapeape73 · December 2010

I think the whole argument is stupid. If I had the money to take my kids to Spain this week, we would be on a plane.

PurpleK26 · December 2010

I think the issue is that she didn't just cut into her husbands paycheck. She took a few handfuls of people (not sure on the exact #) and stayed in a hotel that cost 2400 per night per room... and we all picked up the tab.

ablou · December 2010

PurpleK26:
I think the issue is that she didn't just cut into her husbands paycheck. She took a few handfuls of people (not sure on the exact #) and stayed in a hotel that cost 2400 per night per room... and we all picked up the tab.

Tell me again how we paid for it if Mrs. O payed for it out of pocket?

PurpleK26 · December 2010

ablou:
PurpleK26:
I think the issue is that she didn't just cut into her husbands paycheck. She took a few handfuls of people (not sure on the exact #) and stayed in a hotel that cost 2400 per night per room... and we all picked up the tab.
Tell me again how we paid for it if Mrs. O payed for it out of pocket?

She only paid for a portion of it out of pocket. The taxpayers picked up the tab for the extra security guards that went, the flight etc. The estimated taxpayer cost is $375,000.

Que*Syrah · December 2010

PurpleK26:
I think the issue is that she didn't just cut into her husbands paycheck. She took a few handfuls of people (not sure on the exact #) and stayed in a hotel that cost 2400 per night per room... and we all picked up the tab.

Forgive my ignorance, but how do you know "we all picked up the tab?"

ablou · December 2010

PurpleK26:
ablou:
PurpleK26:
I think the issue is that she didn't just cut into her husbands paycheck. She took a few handfuls of people (not sure on the exact #) and stayed in a hotel that cost 2400 per night per room... and we all picked up the tab.
Tell me again how we paid for it if Mrs. O payed for it out of pocket?
She only paid for a portion of it out of pocket. The taxpayers picked up the tab for the extra security guards that went, the flight etc. The estimated taxpayer cost is $375,000.

So, the 1st family isn't allowed to go on vacation while in the White House? Or, would you rather Mrs. O and the girls travel without security?

Also, I think that the Pentagon goes through that much in paper clips each year.

Que*Syrah · December 2010

ablou:
PurpleK26:
ablou:
PurpleK26:
I think the issue is that she didn't just cut into her husbands paycheck. She took a few handfuls of people (not sure on the exact #) and stayed in a hotel that cost 2400 per night per room... and we all picked up the tab.
Tell me again how we paid for it if Mrs. O payed for it out of pocket?
She only paid for a portion of it out of pocket. The taxpayers picked up the tab for the extra security guards that went, the flight etc. The estimated taxpayer cost is $375,000.
So, the 1st family isn't allowed to go on vacation while in the White House? Or, would you rather Mrs. O and the girls travel without security?
Also, I think that the Pentagon goes through that much in paper clips each year.

I agree with Ablou here. It's totally unreasonable to expect them to never travel. The fact that there is a necessary cost for security goes along with being the first family. They can't travel without them.

PurpleK26 · December 2010

The question was asked why people have a problem with it... I simply stated why I believe there's an issue.

I personally think that it wouldn't be a bad idea for 1st families (not just our current one) to have to think a little bit more carefully about their spending. Maybe take a smaller pay check, or be limited in their 'leisure vacations' to not need as much security etc. Not saying they don't deserve to have some perks, but I think it's all getting a little out of hand.

ToledoDeux · December 2010

PurpleK26:
ablou:
PurpleK26:
I think the issue is that she didn't just cut into her husbands paycheck. She took a few handfuls of people (not sure on the exact #) and stayed in a hotel that cost 2400 per night per room... and we all picked up the tab.
Tell me again how we paid for it if Mrs. O payed for it out of pocket?
She only paid for a portion of it out of pocket. The taxpayers picked up the tab for the extra security guards that went, the flight etc. The estimated taxpayer cost is $375,000.

Even if this figure is accurate, my answer would still be: so? The cost of having an executive includes protecting him and his family. So because the First Lady requires a security contingent, we're going to insist that all of their vacations consist of a cheapie camping trip?

Also: why is a vacation that the Obamas took four months ago such a hot topic?

PurpleK26 · December 2010

Que_Syrah:
PurpleK26:
I think the issue is that she didn't just cut into her husbands paycheck. She took a few handfuls of people (not sure on the exact #) and stayed in a hotel that cost 2400 per night per room... and we all picked up the tab.
Forgive my ignorance, but how do you know "we all picked up the tab?"

I'm really interested in politics and research the things I hear mentioned to see whats fact or not.

PurpleK26 · December 2010

ToledoDeux:
PurpleK26:
ablou:
PurpleK26:
I think the issue is that she didn't just cut into her husbands paycheck. She took a few handfuls of people (not sure on the exact #) and stayed in a hotel that cost 2400 per night per room... and we all picked up the tab.
Tell me again how we paid for it if Mrs. O payed for it out of pocket?
She only paid for a portion of it out of pocket. The taxpayers picked up the tab for the extra security guards that went, the flight etc. The estimated taxpayer cost is $375,000.
Even if this figure is accurate, my answer would still be: so? The cost of having an executive includes protecting him and his family. So because the First Lady requires a security contingent, we're going to insist that all of their vacations consist of a cheapie camping trip?
Also: why is a vacation that the Obamas took four months ago such a hot topic?

Not sure why it's a hot topic now.

I'm not saying cheap camping trips or anything. But our country is broke. The inflation predictions are scary. There's a huge uproar about whether or not the Bush Tax Cuts should be extended (which I know they already have been, but people are still po'd about it). If we are to the point that we need to raise taxes to help pay for our debt or other programs, maybe it's time for the perks to be reigned in a bit.

ablou · December 2010

PurpleK26:
The question was asked why people have a problem with it... I simply stated why I believe there's an issue.
I personally think that it wouldn't be a bad idea for 1st families (not just our current one) to have to think a little bit more carefully about their spending. Maybe take a smaller pay check, or be limited in their 'leisure vacations' to not need as much security etc. Not saying they don't deserve to have some perks, but I think it's all getting a little out of hand.

The president makes $400K a year. Considering the job, that's definitely a government salary. They pay for their vacations (I assume) from their earnings made from Mrs. O's former job as a hospital administrator, and the millions that Pres. O made from his books.

And I'm pretty sure that the security level is the same whether the Obamas go to Spain or Scranton, so why does it matter where they go?

PurpleK26 · December 2010

ablou:
PurpleK26:
The question was asked why people have a problem with it... I simply stated why I believe there's an issue.
I personally think that it wouldn't be a bad idea for 1st families (not just our current one) to have to think a little bit more carefully about their spending. Maybe take a smaller pay check, or be limited in their 'leisure vacations' to not need as much security etc. Not saying they don't deserve to have some perks, but I think it's all getting a little out of hand.
The president makes $400K a year. Considering the job, that's definitely a government salary. They pay for their vacations (I assume) from their earnings made from Mrs. O's former job as a hospital administrator, and the millions that Pres. O made from his books.
And I'm pretty sure that the security level is the same whether the Obamas go to Spain or Scranton, so why does it matter where they go?

I don't sit in their accountants office and deposit royalty checks.... I only know that several places stated that this trip needed more than the normal amount of security, and that was where the extra cost is coming from, and since security is paid for in taxes..... that's why people have an issue with it.

Que*Syrah · December 2010

I don't really think security detail for a pretty big assasination/kidnap/whatever target is a perk...

missa8182 · December 2010

I know I don't care. They are doing NOTHING differently than any other first family. If people wish to get rialed up over something, perhaps get rialed up over the fact that we are in hard economic times and the Republicans feel the richest 2% of Americans need a tax break. I say when they can prove they "created jobs" (since that's always the BS excuse) then and ONLY then should they receive a tax break! Ok, I'm done ranting now.

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