So, anyone else looking forward to the "immaculate inaugaration" of the 'One'? Or has the novelty started to wear off of Barack the magic Negro, (name courtesy of LA times)?
I abhor the media, period. But it really chaps my hide that they bring all the former presidents into the oval office for a photo op, because I would like to know who paid for this extraordinary gathering? Something tells me, we did. With all this talk about the Economy on the verge of a meltdown and Barack and the politicians in D.C. saying don't worry, we're going to spend our way out of it.......really? Who is dumb enough to buy into the idea that because we are in debt, if we just spend more, magically the debt will go away? Answer: Our political leaders.
I'm tired of presidents going in and redecorating the White House at taxpayer expense. (Granted I don't blame W for replacing the carpet after Clinton) but, are all these exorbitant expenditures necessary? What about the new up-armored Cadillac that Barack ordered? Which by the way didn't even come with flashy rims. Wasn't the old limo armored enough? I mean there were a lot of hippies that really hated Bush....... And every time Air Force One travels somewhere, the motorcade, staff, Marine One, and all the support vehicles including Secret Service and Presidential Marine Guards are sent ahead of time. Which means even a short 1-2 hour Sortie of Air Force One to say Florida costs literally hundreds of thousands of dollars not including fuel which puts the cost easily in the millions. Sorry, but that's not your plane Mr. President. It's mine! It's Ours. It's the property of all American Taxpayers, and this lecture is directed specifically at you Jimmy Carter, you who liked to use Air Force One to sway Senators to vote for your specific pieces of legislation. So if I have to sacrifice and make personal cuts as an American Citizen impacted by a failing economy, then I expect you to as well.
I think I am going to go the opposite way on this one. Yes these little trips are expensive but we have to spend money as a country, we can just be upset at all spending that happens. It may not appear to be a successful or economical use of funds but having a meeting of the only minds in the world who know the best ways to handle the issues of the country is actually a good thing.
ReplyDeleteCompanies hold conventions to increase sales and productivity, people pay through the nose for schooling to increase their capacities and effectiveness. I think this is actually a sign that Obama is not being all high and mighty and that he is willing to hear the opinions of those that have the benefit of reflection on their time as president.
Sure it costs money but there can be some good to come from these kinds of meetings that can actually save money in the long run.
Perhaps the president's travel and automobile expenses could be curbed, but I don't see this type of lunch meeting as improper or ineffective. Keeping the leader of the free world safe and protected from all the nut jobs that want to take him out, is a valid use of funds. I don't care if this lunch meeting was simply a photo op. All these past presidents have come together in spirit of unity and helping to plant security in the hearts of citizens of this country. There is some merit to something even as simple as that.
Isn't air force one owned by the... Air Force? Wouldn't that mean that it comes out of their budget when the Pres. decides to head out to Illinoise to take his favorite politian friends out for a hot dog and beer?
ReplyDeleteI believe that even if that is true, that the air force pays for it, that means that it is still on the tax payers tab.
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