Let them eat peas

[reefraff]

So this year we taxpayers have picked up major portions of the tab for Michelle 0bama's vacations to Hawaii, Martha's, Spain and Vail. Total cost is said to be around 10 million. Dunno about that but it's certainly is the millions. Mean time 0bama says those fighting for spending cuts as part of the debt ceiling deal needs to "eat their peas".
I wonder if Michelle is proud of her country now?

 

[bionicarm]

Quote:
Originally Posted by reefraff http:///t/387561/let-them-eat-peas#post_3411000
So this year we taxpayers have picked up major portions of the tab for Michelle 0bama's vacations to Hawaii, Martha's, Spain and Vail. Total cost is said to be around 10 million. Dunno about that but it's certainly is the millions. Mean time 0bama says those fighting for spending cuts as part of the debt ceiling deal needs to "eat their peas".
I wonder if Michelle is proud of her country now?
The $10 million is overinflated. Most of the costs stem from having to pay for a Secret Service detail and all their litttle vehicles, lodging, food, etc. Very little if any tax dollars were spent on her Spain trip. She ended up taking a separate flight to Hawaii for the family Christmas vacation because Barack was actually working. Could she has waited? Yes. Martha's Vineyard expenses were primarily Secret Service costs. Every POTUS since Truman or before took vacations.
How many trips did Bush take to Crawford or his family mansion in Maine during his 8 years? Considering our economic conditions in 2007 and 2008, should he or Laura have spent or taken any vacations during that time?

 

[reefraff]

Quote:
Originally Posted by bionicarm http:///t/387561/let-them-eat-peas#post_3411023
The $10 million is overinflated. Most of the costs stem from having to pay for a Secret Service detail and all their litttle vehicles, lodging, food, etc. Very little if any tax dollars were spent on her Spain trip. She ended up taking a separate flight to Hawaii for the family Christmas vacation because Barack was actually working. Could she has waited? Yes. Martha's Vineyard expenses were primarily Secret Service costs. Every POTUS since Truman or before took vacations.
How many trips did Bush take to Crawford or his family mansion in Maine during his 8 years? Considering our economic conditions in 2007 and 2008, should he or Laura have spent or taken any vacations during that time?
Economy was still humming for most of 07. It wasn't until the Democrat's congressional policies took hold in late summer the economy started sinking. Most of Bushes trips were to family homes where it cost a 10th of what Prince Berry and Lady O's do. Hell, it cost over 100 grand for 0bama to take her on a date to see a broadway show. Talk about tone deaf.

 

[beth]

Neither the Obamas' nor the Bushs' vacations are what is causing the USA economic ruin.
Look to the Washington political process, rather than vacations. Congress, Congress, Congress, time to stop spending our money.

 

[bionicarm]

Quote:
Originally Posted by reefraff http:///t/387561/let-them-eat-peas#post_3411035
Economy was still humming for most of 07. It wasn't until the Democrat's congressional policies took hold in late summer the economy started sinking. Most of Bushes trips were to family homes where it cost a 10th of what Prince Berry and Lady O's do. Hell, it cost over 100 grand for 0bama to take her on a date to see a broadway show. Talk about tone deaf.
If that's what they want to blow their money on, who cares? It's the Secret Service details and flying AF1 that takes the bulk of the cash. If your home town was Chicago, would you want to go back there very year for vacation? I'd take Hawaai and Martha's Vineyard any day.

 

[reefraff]

Quote:
Originally Posted by bionicarm http:///t/387561/let-them-eat-peas#post_3411039
If that's what they want to blow their money on, who cares? It's the Secret Service details and flying AF1 that takes the bulk of the cash. If your home town was Chicago, would you want to go back there very year for vacation? I'd take Hawaai and Martha's Vineyard any day.
68 secret service members went with her to Spain. 68 peolpe for one woman and one child? How much is it going to cost for two separate flights back to DC so Michy and the kids can stay that extra night at Martha's? Can't say that I blame them for not wanting to go to Chitago. It's just horrible optics to take these kind of vacations with the economy in the dumps. I don't begrudge the guy vacation time, he just needs a regular guy hanging around saying "HEY DUMMY, 9.2 unemployment rate. Send your wife and kid to a 5 star resort IN THIS COUNTRY and spending your family vacation at Martha's doesn't exactly present a man of the people image.

 

[reefraff]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Beth http:///t/387561/let-them-eat-peas#post_3411038
Neither the Obamas' nor the Bushs' vacations are what is causing the USA economic ruin.
Look to the Washington political process, rather than vacations. Congress, Congress, Congress, time to stop spending our money.
It is the attitude they show that is causing the problem. Politicians talk about a million dollars like it's pocket change.

 

[snakeblitz33]

OBAMA 2012! WOOT WOOT! I'm gonna vote for him, maybe he will extend me some more welfare, food stamps, social security benefits and unemployment because I am a disenfranchised American who feels entitled to chase the American dream on the American taxpayer dollar!
btw, you know I'm kidding, right? I know sarcasm doesn't usually come across well over the internet.

 

[darthtang aw]

You know what is funny. Or should I say sad.
Had obama just maintained bush's budget from 07.....our budget for 2012 Would be deficit nuetral. This is from the CBO.
Also....obamas adminstration, aids, and such all received an average of a 20% pay increase this last year. What was your last raise. If you own a business....did you give yourself a raise of this magnitude?
It is not all congress Beth. The greater majority, sure...but the man up front needs to do as he says...especially if he wants others to do so. The average american recieves two weeks vaca a year.....the average family takes one of those weeks within 50 miles of their own home. Why should the pres be any different....especially we he constantly lambasted ceos and exects for the very things he and his family have done...IE: perks, flights, vacation, giving high paying jobs to supports........
Don't get me wrong...bush did similar...difference is bush didn't begrudge others that did it.
By the way...without increasing taxes on the top 2%...government revenue received is at an all time high...thus the cbo report on defecit.
After 2012 when the healthcare takes off..........gonna be interesting what happens to the deficit.

 

[darthtang aw]

If that's what they want to blow their money on, who cares?  It's the Secret Service details and flying AF1 that takes the bulk of the cash.  If your home town was Chicago, would you want to go back there very year for vacation?  I'd take Hawaai and Martha's Vineyard any day.
 
Aren't you the same guy complaining about Perry's living space cost?
Darth (hypocrite much?) Tang

 

[reefraff]

How bout the two plus million we got to pay for 0butthead's campaign buses. He's talking about raising a Billion for his campaign. Buffet is throwing a 35k a plate fundraiser. Where's the talk of corporate patsy? PLUS he spend over two million on campaign buses and sticks the taxpayers with the tab. I have a hard time believe people would seriously consider giving Jimmy Jr. a second term no matter how much he spends.

 

[darthtang aw]

How bout the two plus million we got to pay for 0butthead's campaign buses. He's talking about raising a Billion for his campaign. Buffet is throwing a 35k a plate fundraiser. Where's the talk of corporate patsy? PLUS he spend over two million on campaign buses and sticks the taxpayers with the tab. I have a hard time believe people would seriously consider giving Jimmy Jr. a second term no matter how much he spends.
Actually, those buses cost more than 2 million. Considering the were bought on deficit spending. Once you factor in interst...figure we will be paying for them the next thirty years...those buses will cost twice that much if not more.....but its only 2 million......er 4 million........and not even for government operations...since when do taxes fund campaigns?

 

[bionicarm]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Darthtang AW http:///t/387561/let-them-eat-peas#post_3411136
Actually, those buses cost more than 2 million. Considering the were bought on deficit spending. Once you factor in interst...figure we will be paying for them the next thirty years...those buses will cost twice that much if not more.....but its only 2 million......er 4 million........and not even for government operations...since when do taxes fund campaigns?
The buses were purchased from funds from the Transportation Dept. budget by the Secret Service. They ordered them over a year ago, and due to the customizations (armour plating, bullet-proof glass, etc.), they couldn't cancel the orders. They weren't purchased specifically for Obama's road campaign. He's just the first person to use them. Once he's done, they go into the Secret Service fleet to be used by dignitaries, and any other "special person" that's deemed to need that type of transportation in the future.

 

[bionicarm]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Darthtang AW http:///t/387561/let-them-eat-peas#post_3411121
Aren't you the same guy complaining about Perry's living space cost?
Darth (hypocrite much?) Tang
Uh yea, because every dime of that IS paid by taxpayer money. Taxpayer money didn't pay for the house rental in Martha's Vineyard, Michelle's digs in Spain, or their family's Christmas vacation in Hawaii. That came out of their pockets.
My taxes are also paying for Perry's little nationwide jaunt for his run for POTUS. His security detail, transportation, etc. is coming from the Texas taxpayers. No one knows what those costs are because Perry got his Super Majority Republican cronies in The Texas Legislature to add another layer of secrecy when it passed a new law this year that will conceal peace officers’ travel vouchers for 18 months. Hmm, 18 months. Just around November of next year. Now that's a coincidence.

 

[darthtang aw]

 
Uh yea, because every dime of that IS paid by taxpayer money.  Taxpayer money didn't pay for the house rental in Martha's Vineyard, Michelle's digs in Spain, or their family's Christmas vacation in Hawaii.  That came out of their pockets. 
 
My taxes are also paying for Perry's little nationwide jaunt for his run for POTUS.  His security detail, transportation, etc. is coming from the Texas taxpayers.  No one knows what those costs are because Perry got his Super Majority Republican cronies in The Texas Legislature to add another layer of secrecy when it passed a new law this year that will conceal peace officers’ travel vouchers for 18 months.  Hmm, 18 months.  Just around November of next year.  Now that's a coincidence.
 
Obama paid the 10 million it cost for those trips? Really?
He is no different than Perry. Oh wait, he has a D behind his name on the ballot. That makes it better than perry.
Darth (I see hypocrits) Tang

 

[darthtang aw]

The buses were purchased from funds from the Transportation Dept. budget by the Secret Service.  They ordered them over a year ago, and due to the customizations (armour plating, bullet-proof glass, etc.), they couldn't cancel the orders.  They weren't purchased specifically for Obama's road campaign.  He's just the first person to use them.  Once he's done, they go into the Secret Service fleet to be used by dignitaries, and any other "special person" that's deemed to need that type of transportation in the future.
 
He can have the military cancel billion dollar fighter jet orders in the pipeline, but he can't have the dept of transportation cancel a 2 million dollar set of buses?
Darth (did you get your medical marijuana card recently) Tang

 

[bionicarm]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Darthtang AW http:///t/387561/let-them-eat-peas#post_3411150
Obama paid the 10 million it cost for those trips? Really?
He is no different than Perry. Oh wait, he has a D behind his name on the ballot. That makes it better than perry.
Darth (I see hypocrits) Tang
He paid for all his personal expenses. As POTUS, the Secret Service is required to protect him and his family at all costs and at all times, even while on vacation. He's also granted access to private transportation, including several jets, autos, helicopters, and any other transportation needed. Every POTUS in the last 6 decades has been afforded those privileges, and used them the same way he did. Go look up some of the trips the Reagan's, Carter's, Clinton's, and Daddy Bush took during their times in office, Add inflation to their costs, and they'd probably equal or exceed the $10 million the Obama's have spent.
It doesn't matter if there's a D, R, or now a TP behind their names. They all do it.
Bionic (Darth still can't face reality) Arm

 

[bionicarm]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Darthtang AW http:///t/387561/let-them-eat-peas#post_3411151
He can have the military cancel billion dollar fighter jet orders in the pipeline, but he can't have the dept of transportation cancel a 2 million dollar set of buses?
Darth (did you get your medical marijuana card recently) Tang
It wasn't his decision. The buses were purchased by the Secret Service. They designed the things over a year ago for general purpose use. They weren't built specifically to be used for Obama's campaign. The head of the Secret Service stated the buses were needed because the existing equipment of this type was outdated and inadequate transportation, and it needed to be replaced. There was a designated need for buses of this type to accomodate large details to provide security for any dignitary, member of Congress, or anyone else with executive privileges.
Bionic (Yes I did, and it's great. Did you get your medication for your dementia?) Arm

 

[darthtang aw]

Quote:
Originally Posted by bionicarm http:///t/387561/let-them-eat-peas#post_3411170
He paid for all his personal expenses. As POTUS, the Secret Service is required to protect him and his family at all costs and at all times, even while on vacation. He's also granted access to private transportation, including several jets, autos, helicopters, and any other transportation needed. Every POTUS in the last 6 decades has been afforded those privileges, and used them the same way he did. Go look up some of the trips the Reagan's, Carter's, Clinton's, and Daddy Bush took during their times in office, Add inflation to their costs, and they'd probably equal or exceed the $10 million the Obama's have spent.
It doesn't matter if there's a D, R, or now a TP behind their names. They all do it.
Bionic (Darth still can't face reality) Arm
You don't get it. I am not irritated at just him for this. I know Bush took expensive vacations. All of congress and the Potus in the past 20 years have increased their lavish luxuries at the expense of the tax payer. That is the point. Asking everyone to make do with less, while stil;l adding to the deficit for their personal self worth or gain. It isn't just Obama, it is all of them. Just because the predecessors did it, doesn't make it right or justified. That is like Obama invading Syria and justifying it because Bush invaded Iraq. Even though you complained about Bush for invading Iraq. Just because the previous guy did it, doesn't make it right. IU seem to remember you complaining about Bush's vacations, the amount of them taken, and the cost. Yet here you are. defending the same action for Obama.
Darth (I see big Hypocrites) Tang
Quote:
Originally Posted by bionicarm http:///t/387561/let-them-eat-peas#post_3411171
It wasn't his decision. The buses were purchased by the Secret Service. They designed the things over a year ago for general purpose use. They weren't built specifically to be used for Obama's campaign. The head of the Secret Service stated the buses were needed because the existing equipment of this type was outdated and inadequate transportation, and it needed to be replaced. There was a designated need for buses of this type to accomodate large details to provide security for any dignitary, member of Congress, or anyone else with executive privileges.
Bionic (Yes I did, and it's great. Did you get your medication for your dementia?) Arm
So Obama cqan't order the secret service to cancel them? He had no problem canceling the fighter jets that were ordered over a year ago. He had no problem canceling the missile defense system in place for Poland for a year. You are seriously arguing the President of the united states can't order the secret service to cancel orders?
What exactly can the President do then? Because apparently. he can't do anything according to you and is basically a paper figurehead.
Darth (took civics 101 and passed) Tang

 

[kiefers]

So.... lets see here. Lets say one of you were the President of these United States, your going to tell me that with what seems to me to be pretty much an unlimited budget, you wouldn't take your family on one of these expensive vacations? Just because you can?
i'm not trying to defend the topic merely saying the temptation would be great. Right?