Obama: Ever the 1% er

[_bcspace]

Sometimes, that perception cuts to the core. Like when President George W. Bush stopped playing golf in 2003, at the height of the Iraq War.

“I think playing golf during a war just sends the wrong signal,” he said years later. “I don’t want some mom whose son may have recently died to see the commander in chief playing golf. I feel I owe it to the families to be in solidarity as best as I can with them.”

That’s also why Mr. Bush did two other things, without fanfare or praise. First, he never headed home to his Texas ranch until after Christmas, instead going to Camp David for a few days. That way, the hundreds of people revolving around him at all times — White House staff, Secret Service agents, reporters, photographers, all the others — could spend the holiday with their families in and around Washington, D.C. No one ever reported that — until this column.

Second, he rarely attended sporting events, although he once owned a baseball team and was a self-confessed stats junkie. His thinking there was the same: If he went to a baseball game (right down the street from the White House), his mere presence would mean hours and hours of extra security for fans. He once stopped off at the Daytona 500 and the metal detectors through which every fan had to pass left thousands outside in line when the green flag fell; he didn’t attend many sporting events after that.

But something remarkable has happened with these occupants of the White House: Neither President Obama nor first lady Michelle appear to give a damn about perception. They won the White House and, by God, they’re going to enjoy their time there, no matter the cost. And who cares what you think, anyway?

How else to explain the nonstop vacations the pair keep taking during what Mr. Obama calls the “worst financial crisis since the Great Depression”? In 2013, the First Family has already enjoyed three vacations — that’s one a month. (Sorry, Joe America, you might have to forget your week at the beach again this year, but make sure you get those taxes in on time!)

The Obamas ended 2012 and kicked off 2013 in an $8 million, 6,000-square-foot house in Hawaii (they left well before Dec. 25, by the way). There, the president played five rounds of golf (breaking the 100-rounds-as-president threshold). Scarcely a month into Term 2, Mrs. Obama headed off for Aspen, taking along the couple’s daughters. Vice President Joseph R. Biden also hit the Colorado slopes. While the girls (and Joe) were gone, Mr. Obama nipped down to Florida for a four-day boys weekend of golf, teeing it up with his buddies — and Tiger Woods. He hit the links again this weekend, then dropped in for an NCAA tournament game in Washington.

Jumpin’ Joe, for his part, spent New Year’s in the Virgin Islands and popped off over the Easter weekend for a golf outing at the glorious Kiawah Island, S.C. (where rounds of golf on the spectacular Ocean Course run $353 — nearly $20 a hole). His third vacation of the year came the same week as reports that he and his entourage spent $460,000 for a single night in London and $585,000 for a night at a five-star hotel in Paris.

Then, last week, reports emerged that the Obama girls were kicking it in the Bahamas for spring break. Days later, a Colorado news station, KMTV, reported that the girls were now skiing in Sun Valley, Idaho. The White House flacks didn’t like that one bit.

“From the beginning of the administration, the White House has asked news outlets not to report on or photograph the Obama children when they are not with their parents and there is no vital news interest,” said Kristina Schake, communications director to the first lady. “We have reminded outlets of this request in order to protect the privacy and security of these girls.”

At their demand, the station scrubbed the report without explanation. What losers.

To be clear, this has nothing to do with the daughters. Never has. They are wonderful girls. The issue is use of taxpayer money, especially since Mr. Obama has shut down the White House to visitors, citing the cost of security. All these trips cost millions for Secret Service protection; couldn’t they just skip a few vacations so taxpayers could visit “America’s House”?

http://p.washingtontimes.com/news/2013/mar/31/curl-the-obamas-live-the-1-percent-life/

[_subgenius]

so many views and nary a reply...how typical for the head-in-the-sand liberals....where is KG and his long list of "un-bias" data from media matters on this story?

i give this a +1, for Obama mainly...this guy pulled off a bait and switch with his voter base to the level of hypocrisy that make Jesse Helms and Strom Thurmond look virtuous on any issue of African Americans.

[_ajax18]

All these trips cost millions for Secret Service protection; couldn’t they just skip a few vacations so taxpayers could visit “America’s House”?

As far as I'm concerned it's not America's house until working America takes it back from entitlement America, who seems to own it right now. I'm glad he cut the white house tours. I wish more cuts were made.

Obama pays my welfare check

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=85hzg2SMF9U

[_Analytics]

so many views and nary a reply...how typical for the head-in-the-sand liberals....where is KG and his long list of "un-bias" data from media matters on this story?

The article establishes what, exactly? That the Obama’s vacation habits are on par with those of the CEO’s of large companies? And that's bad?

Or is the point that Republicans are being hypocritical for being upset that Obama made the government that-much smaller by closing White House tours? Why should you be mad at Obama for closing White House tours when Congress didn’t fund them? Are free White House tours even a legitimate government function per the enumerated powers of the Constitution?

What is it that you want us to take issue with? What is it that you want us to be upset about?

[_subgenius]

The article establishes what, exactly? That the Obama’s vacation habits are on par with those of the CEO’s of large companies? And that's bad?

just that you would try to equate President with a CEO is bad enough. Our country is not just another start-up with some charismatic dweeb singing and dancing for venture capital.
So, the article 'establishes" that Obama, in fact, does not represent "change" but rather the status quo...he has proven to be as ineffectual and hypocritical as any President could ever be. The hypocrisy being epitomized by the article's noting about baseball game attendance, playing golf, and the actual statements made by Obama - and how the statements were completely contradicted by his actions.

Or is the point that Republicans are being hypocritical for being upset that Obama made the government that-much smaller by closing White House tours? Why should you be mad at Obama for closing White House tours when Congress didn’t fund them? Are free White House tours even a legitimate government function per the enumerated powers of the Constitution?

arguably, i suppose they are not...but if we are to limit his activity to that which is only enumerated in the Constitution, then kindly point out where President has a Constitutional right to vacation?

What is it that you want us to take issue with? What is it that you want us to be upset about?

I don't expect you to be upset at all....for i realize that any tarnish that could possibly fall upon your supreme savior Obama's boot will be quickly polished away by your eager lips.

[_Analytics]

just that you would try to equate President with a CEO is bad enough. Our country is not just another start-up with some charismatic dweeb singing and dancing for venture capital.
So, the article 'establishes" that Obama, in fact, does not represent "change" but rather the status quo...

The article made the point that President Obama vactations the way the top 1% vacation. He is in fact the 1%. He has always been clear about that--when he talks about raising taxes, he always says that wealthy folks like him ought to pay more. You seem to be quite envious.

...he has proven to be as ineffectual and hypocritical as any President could ever be. The hypocrisy being epitomized by the article's noting about baseball game attendance, playing golf, and the actual statements made by Obama - and how the statements were completely contradicted by his actions.

The article doesn't quote Obama at all--there are no statements it quotes to compare to his actions. I never recall Obama criticizing rich people for enjoying nice vacations.

The only quote from his administration is a request not to have tabloid reporters photographing his children when there isn't a legitimate news story. Did he criticize Bush for not wanting the press to follow around his kids? I don't see any hypocracy here at all--just jealousy about the president living the way most presidents live.

Or is the point that Republicans are being hypocritical for being upset that Obama made the government that-much smaller by closing White House tours? Why should you be mad at Obama for closing White House tours when Congress didn’t fund them? Are free White House tours even a legitimate government function per the enumerated powers of the Constitution?

arguably, i suppose they are not...but if we are to limit his activity to that which is only enumerated in the Constitution, then kindly point out where President has a Constitutional right to vacation?

The Constitution enumerates the things that the branches of government do. The president as an individual is allowed to take vacations, is he not? (Tell me. Are you this upset about the lifestyle of the President when he is white?)

[_subgenius]

The article made the point that President Obama vactations the way the top 1% vacation. He is in fact the 1%. He has always been clear about that--when he talks about raising taxes, he always says that wealthy folks like him ought to pay more. You seem to be quite envious.

he says that he should pay more...but he does not pay more. One could always pay more and refuse the refund. One does not have to itemize deductions, one merely has to report income and pay taxes on that income - you are not legally required to take a deduction. Obama clearly does not practice what he preaches...ergo - hypocrite.

The president as an individual is allowed to take vacations, is he not? (Tell me. Are you this upset about the lifestyle of the President when he is white?)

again, show me where he is given the right to vacation as President...heck, show me where an individual is entitled to a vacation. To my knowledge i have only ever heard of Brussels actually declaring vacation as a "right". Your employer is not legally bound to offer you vacation time as part of your work agreement...so again, since you mentioned enumerated rights, please provide reference that gives President or the individual Obama the "right" to vacation, and also where that right is to include taxpayer funded amenities...such as travel expenses (plane fuel, etc..)
My employer does not reimburse me for gas money to drive to the beach so why does Obama not pay for the use of AirForce1 when on non-official trip? - please, show me that enumerated right in the Constitution.
Since you are such a good lap dog it should not take too long.
(and i offered the same criticism for Bush W for his excessive number of days...to me President has the best retirement plan...just do not get impeached for 4 years and you receive salary, protection, and elite treatment for life...seems like it is not too much to ask if you do not vacation for 4 years....many families today are lucky if they get one or two weeks a year on vacation with each other...some do not at all...where is their Constitutional right to vacation?)

[_Analytics]

The article made the point that President Obama vactations the way the top 1% vacation. He is in fact the 1%. He has always been clear about that--when he talks about raising taxes, he always says that wealthy folks like him ought to pay more. You seem to be quite envious.

he says that he should pay more...but he does not pay more. One could always pay more and refuse the refund. One does not have to itemize deductions, one merely has to report income and pay taxes on that income - you are not legally required to take a deduction. Obama clearly does not practice what he preaches...ergo - hypocrite.

He doesn't preach that the rich should voluntarily pay more in taxes than the tax code requires. He preaches that the tax code should be changed so that the rich are required to pay a bit more.

The president as an individual is allowed to take vacations, is he not? (Tell me. Are you this upset about the lifestyle of the President when he is white?)

again, show me where he is given the right to vacation as President...

Article II Section 1 ("The President shall, at stated Times, receive for his Services, a Compensation, which shall neither be increased nor diminished during the Period for which he shall have been elected.")

(and i offered the same criticism for Bush W for his excessive number of days...to me President has the best retirement plan...just do not get impeached for 4 years and you receive salary, protection, and elite treatment for life...seems like it is not too much to ask if you do not vacation for 4 years....many families today are lucky if they get one or two weeks a year on vacation with each other...some do not at all...where is their Constitutional right to vacation?)

Talk about the politics of class envy. Just to keep it in perspective, when Jack Welch retired from G.E., his retirement package included private use of a corporate jet for life and was valued at $417 million.

[_subgenius]

again, show me where he is given the right to vacation as President...

Article II Section 1 ("The President shall, at stated Times, receive for his Services, a Compensation, which shall neither be increased nor diminished during the Period for which he shall have been elected.")[/quote]
absolutely nothing to do with vacation. How is surfing in Hawaii "Services" as mentioned in Article II section I ?
it isn't.
This simply means he is to be paid to be President...nothing about receiving or deserving a vacation at any time during the Presidency.
I appreciate your effort....try again?

Talk about the politics of class envy. Just to keep it in perspective, when Jack Welch retired from G.E., his retirement package included private use of a corporate jet for life and was valued at $417 million.

Yet that is likely to be found somewhere in writing...while i appreciate the Welch trivia, we were waiting for you to find any Constitutional requirement...or heck, any requirement that entitles the President to receive a taxpayer funded vacation....where in the Constitution does the right for President to be compensated for NOT providing "his Services" during the period for which he shall have been elected appear?

[_Analytics]

again, show me where he is given the right to vacation as President...

Article II Section 1 ("The President shall, at stated Times, receive for his Services, a Compensation, which shall neither be increased nor diminished during the Period for which he shall have been elected.")

absolutely nothing to do with vacation...[/quote]
You think vacations have "absolutely nothing" to do with compensation packages? Let me guess--you aren't a human resources professional. Am I right?