Obama, family & dog leaving on $4 million Hawaiian Vacation

Here's a thought.
What's the cost of security at the White House for two weeks?

Here's another thought.
How much does Air Force One cost when it doesn't fly?

Phage
Here's a thought.
What's the cost of security at the White House for two weeks?

Here's another thought.
How much does Air Force One cost when it doesn't fly?

This isn't the place for logic or common sense.

Phage
Here's a thought.
What's the cost of security at the White House for two weeks?

Here's another thought.
How much does Air Force One cost when it doesn't fly?

To the first; the base cost is the same but when overseas or anywhere else save the White House or their "home" detail, it incurs additional costs; lodging, per diem, COLA (in some cases), expenses, etc...

As for Air Force One, that is an interesting question. If it is stationed and not being utilized, does it cost just as much money as if were flying across country? Most likely the standby costs do not include fuel, but do include the regular pay to the pilots and staff.

Still though, the perception is not that great; regardless of who retains the presidency, but most of all one who has gone on great lengths about how the wealthy just aren't being great citizens. Hard to sell when you yourself are enjoy the fruits of similar trees.

In the past I have been outraged at times like you, shaking my head over the pricy, private flights/vacays like you are.

But not this time.

1) $4MM in terms of total presidential salary in respect to vacation spending --- IMO fairly "modest"

2) POTUS is also a person who's stressed out like many of us. Is he not entitled to go away for a bit to spend private time with his family?

3) The US is constantly in shambles/distress for one reason or another. He can't make it all go away
instantly with a flick of his nonexistant magic wand. Taking a short break won't change that fact.
----
ETA:

Oh right, he owns the ocean too.

Or off limits for "obvious" security purposes.

P.S [Family and "dog"] ...what does the dog have to do with anything...
Disclaimer --> I'm not pro or anti obama nor politically affiliated in any way

Phage
Here's a thought.
What's the cost of security at the White House for two weeks?

Here's another thought.
How much does Air Force One cost when it doesn't fly?

Security (secret service) comes in at just under $10 million for two weeks. Haven't found a breakdown when Air Force One is not flying.

reply to post by ownbestenemy

Still though, the perception is not that great; regardless of who retains the presidency, but most of all one who has gone on great lengths about how the wealthy just aren't being great citizens. Hard to sell when you yourself are enjoy the fruits of similar trees.

Is the President wealthy? I guess that would depend somewhat on your point of view.

The point is, no matter who the President is, it costs us quite a bit for him to be him. Whether or not he's "on vacation". Which, I think, he never really is.

reply to post by Phage

Whether or not he's "on vacation". Which, I think, he never really is.

Just because he's on call doesn't change the fact he's on vacation. He flew back to Washington from his earlier Hawaiian vacation only to fly right back to Hawaii again as soon as he finished business.

To me that's still vacation. Well actually I'm not really sure anymore, last time I went on vacation was well over a decade ago. Maybe they call it something else now.

reply to post by Bassago

Me too.

The point is, it doesn't cost a whole lot more for him to be in D.C. or Hawaii. Or anywhere else for that matter (or who he happens to be at the time). He doesn't get paid hourly.

reply to post by Phage


Its not about the money. Its about the principle.

His numbers are at an all time low- His signature legislation is a mess- Millions more people are uninsured and millions more will be added as time goes on- Unemployment is at an all time high(or near it)- Hes neck deep in corruption scandles(of his own making)- his party is seperating themselves from his side- People are calling for his impeachment based on criminal acts- nations around the world dont trust him one bit, so we are losing allie support around the globe- the economy is in the tank. Not to mention- the constant lying to the American people.

-Does he really deserve to go on vaccation?

Seems to me- hes always on vacation- because nothing ever gets done- and things are continuing to get worse day by day. The flip side to that would be- when he does work- he screws everything up.

So if he is going to go on vacation- he should just resign and find a hole somewhere to hide in for the rest of his life.

He hasnt done the American people any good, besides tarnishing the outlook of the democratic party. I wont ever vote democrat again- not just because of him- but because of all his puppets who were there the entire time cheering for the policies he or his collegues forced down the peoples throats.

False hope and change- Thats what the people got from this lunatic.

Lucid Lunacy
reply to post by ownbestenemy

 

So include that aspect in the tangent part of my post

Does it upset you I asked a simple question out of curiosity? I wasn't presenting a case or making an assumption.

you just sit there and think of who's money they are spending.

hollywood stars, that is.

Phage
reply to post by Bassago

 

Me too.

The point is, it doesn't cost a whole lot more for him to be in D.C. or Hawaii. Or anywhere else for that matter (or who he happens to be at the time). He doesn't get paid hourly.

edit on 12/18/2013 by Phage because: (no reason given)

he should get paid per piece.

anyway, fuel for af-1, extra duty pay,

extra security, accommodations, food, anyone who needs to fly down to meet him for something, not to mention advance team of security, like in SA to vett anyone near him and a seating chart michelle likes,

military escorts, dog food, extra basketballs, long distance calls and roaming charges, boogie board rentals, green fees, new titanium driver with carbon fiber shaft, 2000 golf balls, etc, phew!

transport the gear and armored vehicles, fuel, pearl harbor on alert, disrupting local bizness, michelles staff, booze,
no duty free on af-1, bidens parking tickets, 20lbs of poi.

what? 100 ppl or more? 6000 miles?

yeah, a bit more than staying home.

at least bush and reagan owned their own vacation spots.

Ah.......the old 2nd term shenanigans aye!!!

Ever heard of the saying "kick a man whilst he is down" ???

Isn't it about time that US citizens followed Icelands lead and rid the country of this filth that has permeated every aspect of your freedom?

or are iphones and X-factor and Hollyweird more important?

reply to post by beezzer

Not sure who he represents.

.

C'mon bugs, you know damn well who he bats for.....

Same freaks that all POTUS have represented for the past little while.

Federal Reserve, Monsanto, Mega-Oil/Gas Corps and big Pharma.

But hey, every vote counts right?

Or so the TV would have us believe.

Oh, and the NSA does not spy on it's own citizens.....

In politics, perception trumps reality every day of the week.

It's how they operate.

Obama could befriend tiny forest baby animals on his way to the soup kitchen to feed the homeless before he leaves to Hawaii to stop a volcano, all the while paying for it himself. . . . . .

But if it is perceived that he doesn't care while spending tax payer money on lavish vacations, then that becomes the new reality.

gee...yawn...another "Obama spending millions on vacation thread"...what do you expect? for him to pack up the young-uns and the missus, hop into the old Chevy, take a drive into the Poconos to stay at a motel 6?...I would like to see him print up a couple of fake 20's with the words "RIGHTWINGERS TAX MONEY" and just start handing them out around some stores...I'd laugh my ass off...maybe we could get some of them to turn beet red, start yelling real loud, stomp their feet, and have coronaries

reply to post by Bassago

Sunny Christmas: First Family and Dog Bo to Leave Cold DC for $4 Million Hawaiian Vacation

I'm not American, so I normally stay out of the US Political Madness forums, but knowing about the current situation in the states from American friends, my first reaction was:

"You've gotta be kidding me!"

Wow, just wow.

beezzer
In politics, perception trumps reality every day of the week.

It's how they operate.

Obama could befriend tiny forest baby animals on his way to the soup kitchen to feed the homeless before he leaves to Hawaii to stop a volcano, all the while paying for it himself. . . . . .

But if it is perceived that he doesn't care while spending tax payer money on lavish vacations, then that becomes the new reality.

let's see...so bush junior spent months working on his own ranch property, while getting paid to be president....don't regular people that get paid by an employer, and spend that time taking care of their own property go to jail or are least fined? no problem with perception there right?

reply to post by jimmyx


If Bush were still president, your post might have relevance.

But he isn't, so it doesn't.

jimmyx

beezzer
In politics, perception trumps reality every day of the week.

It's how they operate.

Obama could befriend tiny forest baby animals on his way to the soup kitchen to feed the homeless before he leaves to Hawaii to stop a volcano, all the while paying for it himself. . . . . .

But if it is perceived that he doesn't care while spending tax payer money on lavish vacations, then that becomes the new reality.

let's see...so bush junior spent months working on his own ranch property, while getting paid to be president....don't regular people that get paid by an employer, and spend that time taking care of their own property go to jail or are least fined? no problem with perception there right?

don't we pay obama to party with JZ, golf, read the papers to find out what's going on, lie, apologize to everyone but the american people?

campaign instead of doing his real job?

don't we pay him to know stuff? like benghazi, irs, nsa, fast and furious?

tsingtao

jimmyx

beezzer
In politics, perception trumps reality every day of the week.

It's how they operate.

Obama could befriend tiny forest baby animals on his way to the soup kitchen to feed the homeless before he leaves to Hawaii to stop a volcano, all the while paying for it himself. . . . . .

But if it is perceived that he doesn't care while spending tax payer money on lavish vacations, then that becomes the new reality.

let's see...so bush junior spent months working on his own ranch property, while getting paid to be president....don't regular people that get paid by an employer, and spend that time taking care of their own property go to jail or are least fined? no problem with perception there right?

don't we pay obama to party with JZ, golf, read the papers to find out what's going on, lie, apologize to everyone but the american people?

campaign instead of doing his real job?

don't we pay him to know stuff? like benghazi, irs, nsa, fast and furious?

so he does what every other president has done....but the difference is???....let me see, I can't quite put my finger on it...hmmm, what could it be??

so he does what every other president has done....but the difference is???....let me see, I can't quite put my finger on it...hmmm, what could it be??

reply to post by jimmyx


How about the difference being that unlike every other president he has no background, training or aptitude to be president.