FIRST LADY OF LUXURY TRAVEL: HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE OBAMAS' LAVISH GETAWAYS OVER THE PAST 12 MONTHS
GIRLS' TRIP TO SPAIN: AUGUST 2010
The exact cost is unclear as Mrs Obama and her 40 friends footed many personal expenses, such as hotels and meals themselves.
But the U.S. taxpayer would have paid for the First Lady's 68-strong security detail, personal staff, and use of presidential jet Air Force Two. Per diems for the secret service team runs at around $281 each - nearly $98,000 for the length of the summer break.
Use of Air Force Two, the Air Force version of a 757, comes in at $149,900 for the round trip. This does not include time on the ground.
Mrs Obama's personal staff, of which there are an unknown amount and might cost considerably more per day, should also be taken into account.
CHRISTMAS BREAK IN HAWAII: DECEMBER 2010
According to the Hawaii Reporter, the bill for the $1.5m trip included:
$63,000 on an early flight bringing Mrs Obama and the children to Hawaii ahead of the President.
$1,000,000 on Mr Obama’s return trip from Washington on Air Force One.
$38,000 for the ‘Winter White House’ beach property rental.
$16,000 to rent nearby homes for Secret Service and Navy Seals.
$134,000 for 24 White House staff to stay at the Moana Hotel.
$251,000 in police overtime.
$10,000 for an ambulance to be on hand at all times
SKI TRIP TO VAIL: FEBRUARY 2011
Mrs Obama and her daughters stayed at the Sebastian hotel on Vail Mountain, where rooms cost more than $2,400 for multi-bedroom suites.
The family appear to have flown there on Air Force Two.
They were escorted to the resort by a motorcade of about a dozen vehicles, including 15 state and local law enforcement officers SUMMER HOLIDAY ON MARTHA'S VINEYARD: AUGUST 2011
The Blue Heron Farm estate, where the Obama family are currently staying, rents for about $50,000 a week.
According to U.S. News and World Report, the Coast Guard is required to keep ships floating near the property, the presidential helicopter and jet remain at the ready and security agents will be on 24-hour duty.
Charliep, they are Liberals they get a free pass to do whatever why want, and the Liberal Media is not going to say squat about it. I remember Bush getting flack from everyone everytime he went to his own ranch and most of the time he was working.
Yep, Obama's is an idiot. Obama's vacations are a drag on US taxpayers. Contrary to popular belief, however, Obama did not invent presidential vacations.
The Obama's were well-to-do before Barrack Obama was elected president. I can imagine these are the kinds of trips they would have made if Barrack was not president. The family of the president ought to be able to live somewhat normally, without being confined to the White House for concern that some money may need to be spent by the Secret Service in protecting them. Let's remember, the protection of such individuals by the Secret Service is at least partly -- arguably largely -- for the purpose of securing a general good to the United States. If the Jihadists kill George Bush -- either George Bush -- as the death of private individuals that is an irrelevant act, no more significant than the execution of Daniel Pearl, the journalist who was beheaded some years back. But such a killing would have damaging consequences for the image of the United States government. So I don't know what the big deal is about the family taking these vacations.
Now there is an interesting angle I don't think I've heard others point out so far. I wonder what the black folks think about this family? Is this the kind of vacation that black folks take? Is going to Vail and Spain and Hawaii and Martha's Vineyard what Fifty Cent does? what Snoop Dog does? Can the blacks who are under whitey's thumb and who are unemployed at a rate much elevated from that of the rest of the nation -- an unemployment rate of 16% I believe I've heard -- can these blacks feel that they share much in common with the Obamas? Can those blacks feel like the black skinned Obama is really promoting their cause, feeling sympathy for them? What does Obama have in common with them that Bill Gates does not have in common with them? The Obama's are Harvard educated lawyers who are rich and live like rich people -- going to Vail, Spain, Hawaii, Martha's Vineyard. President Obama's policies have been very possitive for some white business men: have they been good for any black businessmen?
If you want to raise your eyebrows and say "tsk! tsk!" it is probably more appropriate to focus on the cultural differences between the Obamas and the minorities who are supposed to be their base. Doesn't the base see the difference, the gulf between them? Can't they see they are being played by this guy? Can't they look at what has happened to them over the last 2.5 years and witness from their own lives that this guy is not for them?
Yep, Obama's is an idiot. Obama's vacations are a drag on US taxpayers. Contrary to popular belief, however, Obama did not invent presidential vacations.
Pure BS falcon. Bush set up an office at his ranch in Texas complete with a communications center and conference room. He preferred to work from Texas instead of out of the White House. Nothing wrong with that. Those weren't vacation days as your link tries to portray them as such.
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John Adams “The moment the idea is admitted into society that property is not as sacred as the laws of God, and that there is not a force of law and public justice to protect it, anarchy and tyranny commence.”
Ronald Reagan: 'Everybody that is for abortion has already been born'
"I never said I was worth it. I only said I wouldn't do it for less " William F. Buckley Jr.
Yep, it's BS to a Bushgod worshipper like yourself.
Funny, go after the poster when the facts aren't on your side. Good job little man.
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John Adams “The moment the idea is admitted into society that property is not as sacred as the laws of God, and that there is not a force of law and public justice to protect it, anarchy and tyranny commence.”
Ronald Reagan: 'Everybody that is for abortion has already been born'
"I never said I was worth it. I only said I wouldn't do it for less " William F. Buckley Jr.
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John Adams “The moment the idea is admitted into society that property is not as sacred as the laws of God, and that there is not a force of law and public justice to protect it, anarchy and tyranny commence.”
Ronald Reagan: 'Everybody that is for abortion has already been born'
"I never said I was worth it. I only said I wouldn't do it for less " William F. Buckley Jr.
Mrs. Zero sets own record
