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swampy wrote:
Reagan's ranch was his HOME. Same for GWB's ranch. When Obama goes on vacation, he doesn't go HOME. He goes to ritzy upscale rented million dollar mansions (on the tax payer's dime). I don't begrudge any of them time at Camp David which most folks consider "the Presidential retreat".
I don't really care if Obama plays golf. Heck, I love golf. I played to a 2 handicap through high school and college. Even thought about turning pro, but the finances wouldn't allow it. I would just rather not hear about it after a tragedy. And from the few videos I've seen of his swing, he probably can't break 80.
Holy cow, I had no idea. This is redikulous!
Obama’s Summer Vacation Costs Taxpayers $37 Billion
Jul 15, 2014
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Obama-golfingPresident Obama’s upcoming two-week vacation to Martha’s Vineyard will reportedly cost taxpayers a staggering $37 billion.
According to a calculation by Fox News, next month’s getaway will be Obama’s third most expensive trip as president following his $121 billion visit to India in 2010 and his $98 billion trek to Arlington, Virginia last spring.
While on Martha’s Vineyard, an island resort south of Cape Cod in Massachusetts, the Obamas will reportedly be living large. In a ground-breaking exposé Fox says that the White House has rented 12 houses on the island for a total price of $3 million a day.
A jaw-dropping $10 billion has been budgeted for entertainment. Cirque du Soleil is scheduled to give a private $125 million performance. And the White House has paid Disney $4 billion to create a miniature Disneyland on the island for the children.
Michelle Obama has also hired a team of 27 artists to paint portraits of the family while on holiday, and will be paying each a $500,000 a week retainer.
The bulk of the enormous $37 billion cost, however, comes from the elaborate security measures the government is taking to assure Obama’s safety.
Over 78,000 Secret Service agents will protect the president during his stay, at a cost of $1.2 billion a day. And 28 Navy ships - including one aircraft carrier - will guard the island for the duration of the trip.
The aircraft carrier will be equipped with 43 brand-new F-35s ordered just for this mission at a sum of $145 million each. When Obama’s vacation is over, the jets will be dumped into the ocean.
“We understand that some of these expenses may seem unnecessary,” White House press secretary Josh Earnest told reporters today. “But can we really put a price on Barack Obama’s comfort and peace of mind?”
Some Republican leaders in Washington believe the White House should at least try.
“This is the worst waste of government money since President Clinton’s $300 billion haircut,” says Paul Ryan, U.S. representative from Wisconsin, “When are the American people going to wake up?”
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The aircraft carrier will be equipped with 43 brand-new F-35s ordered just for this mission at a sum of $145 million each. When Obama’s vacation is over, the jets will be dumped into the ocean.
:jest:
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swampy wrote:
Reagan's ranch was his HOME. Same for GWB's ranch.
It's well known that republican presidents always flew coach to their second and third homes. Truly patriotic gestures.
swampy wrote: And from the few videos I've seen of his swing, he probably can't break 80.
Which is why he needs to play all of the time! Jeez!
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swampy wrote:
Reagan's ranch was his HOME. Same for GWB's ranch.
I don't quite get the point here. Home or not, it required the same sort of precautions and security as anyplace else the President lives. Also the same abilities to communicate with the military and the people back in D.C. Or do you think that when they were at home, it is just like when you and I are at home? Do you think that the taxpayers didn't have to pay for the secret service and the expense of flying them there, etc. Do you REALLY? Obama pays for his own lodging, food and other incidentals, so the expenses are basically the same.
Or is the problem that Obama has not bought his own vacation home like the Bushes and the Reagans did? Do you think he should buy a ranch, would you feel better then? Or would you let FOX convince you that taxpayers bought the ranch for him?
In the end, just be honest enough to admit that when the Obamas do the exact same thing that white presidents have done, you guys try to turn it into some sort of "those Black people are living on welfare down there in that big old house which belongs to us, not them".
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Why do you have to make this a racial thing, $tevie? The color of his skin is not what makes Obama an idiot. In this case, it's his " Let them eat cake" attitude.
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$tevie wrote:
[quote=swampy]
Reagan's ranch was his HOME. Same for GWB's ranch.
I don't quite get the point here.
Pres Bush used to spend his vacations clearing brush on his ranch, NOT PLAYING GOLF AT MARTHA'S VINEYARD!
Can't you see the difference?
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swampy wrote:
Why do you have to make this a racial thing, $tevie? The color of his skin is not what makes Obama an idiot. In this case, it's his " Let them eat cake" attitude.
What behavior by the President leads you to those negative characterizations?
Is he supposed to give every American a Hawaiian vacation before he takes his own? I don't understand. Only "idiots" take family vacations that they can personally afford?
I never got a trip to Texas or California or Maine from the gov't while the Reagans and Bushes were around.
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Swampy, why are you ignoring my link about how Reagan dealt with tragedies which ocurred during his vacations?
And why do you obsess about Obama playing golf when EVERY PRESIDENT HAS DONE THIS.
And why he is not supposed to take vacations, tell me that. Seriously, tell me why Obama is not supposed to ever take a vacation, since every time he does the right wing poops in their pants.
Also you may want to explain why you didn't respond to my comment about the expenses of a vacation home for a President.
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hal wrote:
[quote=$tevie]
[quote=swampy]
Reagan's ranch was his HOME. Same for GWB's ranch.
I don't quite get the point here.
Pres Bush used to spend his vacations clearing brush on his ranch, NOT PLAYING GOLF AT MARTHA'S VINEYARD!
Can't you see the difference?
"Now watch this drive."
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I didn't address your Reagan item because he didn't have the same arrogant attitude the Obama's do. Neither did Bush. Stuff happens. Both Bush and Reagan addressed the people on their issues, but didn't then run off to fundraise or golf, or rub elbows with the elite in Martha's Vineyard. He's your man. Deal with it.
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