While everyday Americans are suffering with lost jobs and economic insecurity, our First Family is living high on the hog, and at taxpayer expense. Shouldn't they show more deference to those who are hurting and curb their lifestyle, at least a little? It's almost as if the Obamas are living on another planet.
Read this article from the NY Daily News, via Michelle Malkin:
Material girl Michelle Obama is a modern-day Marie Antoinette on a glitzy Spanish vacation
Andrea Tantaros
"Sacrifice is something that many Americans are becoming all too familiar with during this economic downturn. It was a key theme in President Obama's inaugural address to the nation, and he's referenced it numerous times when lecturing the country on how to get back on its feet.
But while most of the country is pinching pennies and downsizing summer sojourns - or forgoing them altogether - the Obamas don't seem to be heeding their own advice. While many of us are struggling, the First Lady is spending the next few days in a five-star hotel on the chic Costa del Sol in southern Spain with 40 of her 'closest friends.' According to CNN, the group is expected to occupy 60 to 70 rooms, more than a third of the lodgings at the 160-room resort. Not exactly what one would call cutting back in troubled times.
Reports are calling the lodgings of Obama's Spanish fiesta, the Hotel Villa Padierna in Marbella, 'luxurious,' 'posh' and 'a millionaires' playground.' Estimated room rate per night? Up to a staggering $2,500. Method of transportation? Air Force Two.
To be clear, what the Obamas do with their money is one thing; what they do with ours is another. Transporting and housing the estimated 70 Secret Service agents who will flank the material girl will cost the taxpayers a pretty penny.
Perhaps it could be that the Obamas, who seem to fancy themselves more along the lines of international celebrities than actual leaders, espouse a different view of sacrifice. When Michelle Obama accompanied her husband to Copenhagen along with best buddy Oprah Winfrey, she billed the trip - an ultimately unsuccessful bid to bring the Olympics to Chicago - as follows: 'As much of a sacrifice as people say this is for me or Oprah or the President to come for these few days, so many of you in this room have been working for years to bring this bid home.'
A quick jaunt to Denmark is a sacrifice? What portraits in courage!
The Obama modus operandi is becoming clear. From lavish trips to Spain to reportedly flying Bo, the President's Portuguese water dog, on a separate aircraft to vacation with them in Maine, to a date night in New York City that perhaps cost nearly $100,000, their idea of austerity is really just the lap of luxury, at least for ordinary folks.
Incredibly, the Obamas have long portrayed themselves as precisely such commoners. Just this month, Obama told ABC the First Couple is 'not that far removed from what most Americans are going through.' And that 'it was just a few years ago that we had high credit card balances, we had two kids, thinking about college. We had our own retirement accounts, wondering if we were going to be able to get enough assets in there.'
If that's true, why not select a more appropriate destination like the California coast? The scenery is just as gorgeous as that of Spain, and instead of patronizing a foreign country they would be pumping money into an American economy that desperately needs it. Camp David wouldn't exactly be slumming it, either. A long weekend there would really send a message of responsibility, leadership and compassion. For a couple that has sharply criticized former President George W. Bush so widely, they could stand to follow his example for once and select a more low-key locale, as Bush regularly did in his Texas vacations.
Instead, Michelle Obama seems more like a modern-day Marie Antoinette - the French queen who spent extravagantly on clothes and jewels without a thought for her subjects' plight - than an average mother of two. While she's spent her time in the White House telling parents they should relieve their chubby kids' dependency on sugar and stressing the importance of an organic veggie garden, hopping a jet to Europe to meet with Spanish royalty isn't the visual the White House probably wants to project. Perhaps they've forgotten the damning image of John Kerry, on the eve of the 2004 election, windsurfing off the coast of Nantucket?
I don't begrudge anyone rest and relaxation when they work hard. We all need downtime - the First Family included. It's the extravagance of Michelle Obama's trip and glitzy destination contrasted with President Obama's demonization of the rich that smacks of hypocrisy and perpetuates a disconnect between the country and its leaders. Toning down the flash would humanize the Obamas and signify that they sympathize with the setbacks of the people they were elected to serve.
In January, President Obama insisted that 'everybody in the country is going to have to sacrifice something, accept change for the greater good. Everybody is going to have to give. Everybody is going to have to have some skin in the game.'
If sacrifice is the precursor to change, what will the family that ran on change offer up? Elitist doublespeak won't cut it."
UPDATE: Via Hot Air:
Even Maureen Dowd not thrilled with Michelle Obama's vacation
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21 comments:
What do you think will help, as you so quaintly term it, "hurting" Americans, more? More austere vacations by the First Family? Or letting the Bush tax cuts for the top 2% end as scheduled?
You're all for inconsequential moves, especially when it would inconvenience the Obamas, as opposed to meaningful reforms that would affect America's ultra-rich. Get real.
The Obamas need to do what Bill Clinton did so well--feel our pain by cutting back on their lavish lifestyle. It would show show empathy for hurting Americans. And then there is the issue of cost. Our nation cannot afford to fly them on unnecessary trips.
Keeping the Bush tax cuts would be a boost to our economy. Small businesses would relax more and feel like they could risk hiring more employees and investing in the economy. We all benefit from that. Punishing the rich causes us all to suffer because, like it or not, they do the hiring.
Do you REALLY think small businesses are sitting around worrying about whether the tax rate on INDIVIDUALS making over $200,000 is going to go back to the old rate, which are no more than 3% higher than current? That's propaganda BS being shoveled out by the GOP, and you're lapping it up.
If there is a small business that makes over $200,000 for its owner and that business is NOT incorporated, then that owner is either very lucky or a moron (probably both). The Bush tax cuts were for individuals, not corporations.
And if a small businessman owns a business that IS incorporated and s/he makes more than $200,000 as an INDIVIDUAL, then you know what? Let 'em pay the higher tax! An extra 3% on a $200,000 income would be no more than $6000. Do you think ANY businessperson would hold off on hiring another worker based upon the possibility of being hit with an extra $6000 in personal taxes? Of course not! Even ONE additional worker would be several multiples of that $6000 in extra taxes.
You middle-class rightwingnuts just swallow ANYTHING that the movers & shakers throw your way, without even stopping for a moment to say "Wait a minute... does that make any sense?"
You see how you're handicapping your kids when you can't teach them how to think critically? They're nothing more than cannon fodder.
Just listen to yourself, Diogenes. You, the critical thinker, have swallowed the Obama nonsense hook-line-and sinker. Where's the critical thinking?
How do you explain the failed stimulus and the continued high unemployment? Obama's policies are a complete failure.
"Failed stimulus"? Where? Most of the funds weren't scheduled to be dispersed until Year 2... which we've just started. I know of a very large highway project about 5 miles from my house that's been started using stimulus funds.
Are you naive enough to believe that the Good Economy Fairy can wave her magic wand and all our troubles seem so far away? It took more than a year or two for Georgie to dig this hole we're in, and it'll take more than a year or two to dig ourselves out.
The resources for our recovery are there, it's a matter of getting the Big Money guys to turn them loose. They're hanging onto it because, well... they like money. A lot. And, with non-economic nitwits like you carrying their water, they can not only keep their money, but Obama gets the blame, too!
The economy is cyclical. We're in a down cycle. It will recover; it always has and it always does. Probably not before November 2010, but probably before November 2012. Republicans are just praying it doesn't happen before the next presidential election; that's why the rightwingnuts are the Party of No. But don't bet on their "success".
Diogenes, you just watch what happens when the Bush tax cuts expire in 2011 and the economy worsens. Sometimes, a little reality is the best teacher.
Biden told us that this would be the summer of recovery. Where is it? Oh sure, there were a few jobs created, but not much more.
Yeah, there's money left because it is nothing more than a slush fund to help libs at election time.
"Where is it?" Where is it???? You answered your own question, last week when you quoted that nitwit drugged out rock wannabe:
"They [business owners, entrepreneurs and investors] are pulling in their financial horns and holding as much as $3 trillion on the sidelines, instead of using that cash to invest in American businesses and innovation."
http://exposingliberallies.blogspot.com/2010/08/business-community-does-not-trust.html
"IT" -- the capital needed to fuel any recovery -- is being held onto by Big Business. They've taken their ball and gone home. But the good news is, it can't last forever. No, their own greed will dictate that, sooner or later, somebody will start investing, thinkning they can get a jump on the rest of the market. And, as soon as they do, others will jump in, for fear of being left behind.
You want to know why the recovery is lagging? (Not just this recovery, but any recovery.) FOLLOW THE MONEY. It didn't disappear. It's still there. And, when you find who's got the bucks stuffed in their back pockets and their piggie banks, you'll have your answer to "Where is it?"
What you fail to understand is that the people in this country who take chances and work hard for a better life are sick and tired of the gov't stealing their money and redistributing it for politcal gain. Many small business people show over 200,000 in income. They work long hours and sacrifice greatly for what they have. Politicians are always looking for a group to exploit. Most people that have a job go to work, put in their 8 hours and go home. If they are happy with that, fine. But they will never create a job for someone else. But democrats create the sense that the 200,000 and up crowd are just greedy and insensitive, so they must be taxed more because they have more. They have more because they DO more. They spent the time to either learn an in-demand skill or got an education and then applied themselves in the market. Seems that dems have no trouble "stuffing their back pockets" as you put it, but they prefer to KEEP it also. See obama's cabinet members for examples. The biggest question for you diodummy is; Have you ever had a real job or have you always been on a public salary, shielded from real competition? Dems in congress want to bail out teachers, auto worker unions, and other public employees so they can keep their jobs, all the while bashing the real producers with a shovel. The average middle class American just gets to pay the tab, while you slimy gov't rats enjoy an unchanged lifestyle on borrowed money. Just how institutionalized can you be? commieobama and the dems have stolen as much as they can during the 1 1/2 years they've been in power, trying to buy votes. The only problem is, everyone can't work for the gov't, be on welfare, in the unions, or get an unemployment check. Stupidity is on display for all to see.
JustaDumbass, you're really that clueless?
If an INDIVIDUAL (not a corporation) has, personally, income of more than $200,000, then they can afford to pay the additional taxes. You're talking about a 3% to 4% increase which, on $200,000 income, amounts to all of $8000, tops. An extra $8K in taxes isn't going to be the tipping point in whether or not to hire even ONE more worker.
And IF you work as hard as you imply you do, please don't insult anybody by claiming that you're working that hard s that you can "create" jobs. You're not. You don't care about ANYBODY else, except your own, and that's your right. If you're hiring other workers, you're doing it to cut down on your own personal work load and to, ultimately, make more money for yourself. Nothing wrong with that... but don't play it like you're Mother Teresa, either.
And no, JustaDumbass... I haven't always been a teacher. I've worked in the private sector.
Yea genius, they can AFFORD the tax, right? Just where does it end in your opinion? Really, how much does anyone really need to live on right? Who cares if a person earns the money? It must be taken for the greater good. What happens when the producers decide it's not worth it? Hope you enjoy your portion of the liberal bailout fund. Can't the schools be a little bit more frugal with money? Maybe the teachers in Wisconsin should be happy to have a job instead of fighting to have free viagra included in their insurance. You liberals are fine taking money from others, but don't dare take anything FROM a liberal. Let the foaming at the mouth begin.
I guess it's just a complete difference in philosophies, JustaDumbass.
I want to live in an American society where we're supportive of one another.(Singing Kumbaya is optional.)
You would choose to live on Survivor Island, where 200 million people are individuals, separate and apart from all others. It's up to each of them to duke it out to stay ahead.
You like to think that the guys on the totem pole that are lower than you are weighing you down and just hindering your climb to the top.
I tend to think that the guys on top are standing squarely on your head to make damn sure they stay on top and you stay put. And they're absolutely laughing at the idea that you're blaming the guys lower on the totem pole, instead of the guys standing on your head.
When, exactly, are you going to decide that it's not worth it anymore? You'll just stop working and let your family suffer? No, you'll keep at it, same as always.
Like Albert Einstein said. the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. You keep working hard and blamin others for being leeches, you'll get the same result you get now.
Good luck with that. Keep in touch, and let us know how that's working for you.
And that's just what the commie liberals want to happen. Keep up the class warfare.
Albert's saying is very true.
Liberals keep giving trillions to deadbeats and hoping(not really) for a totally equal society.
Real working Americans(not you and your kind) have the power to stop this madness. And they don't have to quit working permanently. Just for a short time.
You see, people like you don't and can't produce anything. Can you grow or hunt your own food? Can you build a house? Can you drive an 18 wheeler? Can you fix a car? Can you really do anything other than stand around spitting up crap that happened 300 years ago? That's why people like you try so hard to make it look like you're really useful to the world. This country is on a collision course with disaster whether you choose to see it or not. The real survivors will make it, the welfare recipients will try to steal it, and you my friend will be up the proverbial creek without a paddle. Good luck with that, coming soon!!
JustaDumbass = Real Man, Neanderthal: "I can tie my shoes. I am Survivor!"
We're all impressed, JustaDumbass. Especially with that "drive a truck" thingie... VERY impressive! Do you have powdered milk in your backyard bomb shelter, too?
I especially like the nice Teabagger Revolutionary comment at the end: "coming soon". You gonna exercise some of Sharron Angle's "Second Amendment Remedies"? You gonna go all militia on us?
LMAO
You didn't answer the question. Have you ever produced or can you produce anything uesful?
You claim to have worked in the private sector as a lawyer right.
I'm sure you can eat all your papers and documents when the world collapses.
I help produce the most important asset of our society: the next generation that can THINK. Sadly, your own teachers didn't have much success with you, but then again, you only stayed in school for 6 years, so there's only so much they could have imparted to you in such a short period of time.
As for being "productive" when I was a lawyer,I might tend to agree with you. I produced good results for my clients, but I didn't feel like I was producing much of anything useful for society as a whole, so I changed careers.
Diogenes, how do you teach the next generation to think, when you yourself refuse to do so?
I never saw anyone THINK up a gallon of gas or a loaf of bread. Can a pair of shoes be thought of and magically appear?
That's the problem with you liberals. Sitting around THINKING all day might be nice, but real working Americans make the country move and feed your sorry ass.
I'll bet you think chicken comes from the grocery store. What will happen to all the great THINKERS you are producing without food? They'll think for a couple of weeks then starve to death.
As for my own education, my teachers did a great job. Want to know why? Because they TAUGHT, they weren't interested in putting their political views on students.
So just because i disagree with you, i must have a jethro bodine 6th grade education?
Makes me all the more happy that you or your liberal union thug teacher friends will never come near my children. I will choose private school any day over leftwing ,socialist, everyone must be equal, dumbing down children public schools.
And lawyers are blood sucking maggots who prey on people for money.
Gave all the wealth you stole as a lawyer away to the liberal "cause" and the "poor" yet.
Remember, we must all be equal!!!
You're probably richer that me, maybe you should send me a check so i won't feel bad about my 6th grade education.
Please include return address on envelope.
I want to personally thank you.
Big Fat Corporations can't fool me.
Their lackeys are spewing distractions and distortions to keep us from seeing their hands in the middle class' back pocket.
Diogenes you are one smart guy!
No one cut back like Jimmy Carter and they still to this day talk about him like a dog EVEN THOUGH he got more things passed for the middle class than any other president in the last few decades.
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