Maybe, kind of, sort of, still motels and etc was very costly, I'm sure she could go to the Cinn Zoo and wear ordinary clothes and no one would even recognize her.

 

So we agree this is much ado about nothing. She paid for her own personal expenses. Her friends paid for their expenses.

 

The refrain of "it looks bad" or "no wonder the GSA spent like drunken sailors" only rings true with people already looking for something to complain about.

 

Our President and his family should be allowed to travel and we foot the bill. It's part of the gig and is nothing new.

Do they deserve vacations, sure, but not every month.

 

Give me the rundown by month and remember that President Obama has been in office for 40 months.

Give me the rundown by month and remember that President Obama has been in office for 40 months.

 

An exaggeration of time, but it seems like she does do a lot of vacationing and the criticism she gets because she is a public figure and at a time when our economy sucks, she is seen out living it up. IMO she enjoys the glam and spotlight too much.

An exaggeration of time, but it seems like she does do a lot of vacationing and the criticism she gets because she is a public figure and at a time when our economy sucks, she is seen out living it up. IMO she enjoys the glam and spotlight too much.

 

Again, if you're looking to complain you'll find something to complain about.

 

I would hate to have the mentality of "my economic situation isn't great so I don't want anyone having fun."

I read that the GSA assigns an hourly rate of $181k for air travel. That includes fuel/maintenance/people.

I read that the GSA assigns an hourly rate of $181k for air travel. That includes fuel/maintenance/people.

Something doesn't add up if that is the actual rate used by the GSA.

 

According to the article linked in the OP, "Based on Pentagon estimates of flight costs, another $199,000 went toward the flight from the United States to Mallorca and back." Using a rate of $181k/hr, that flight was only a little over an hour round trip.

Found another article that says the Air Force uses an hourly rate to determine plane costs (not sure if that includes costs for the pilots or not).

 

Let's say they use a rate of $10k per hour (no clue what the actual rate is). Let's say the plane is used for 20 hours. 20*10k=$200k.

 

We all do realize, right, that that is not new actual dollars being added onto the costs of having a President? Right? The plane has already been paid for. The pilots salaries are already paid for and would be the same if they never left Andrews AFB. Other than the fuel (and 75Center can correct me on any other item I might be missing) the "cost" of $200k has already been spent and is not new $$ being spent.

 

Be upset about fuel cost being spent if that gets you upset. However, at least try to understand how "costs" work. Realize there are all kinds of "costs." Heck, if you ask a car guy what cost they have in a new car they have in inventory he might give you 3 different answers and all are correct but you have to know what "cost" means in each instance.

 

This is a tired topic but obviously an Obama vacation that includes the "ugly" Michelle Obama (his words) gets him riled up and sends him to his keyboard.

 

Fuel, any additional maintenance and possibly overtime would be the main costs I would assume. I would think that the bulk of the costs are fixed so they are incurred regardless of whether or not the plane is flying.

 

Oh, and don't forget the extra little bags of peanuts. That has to be added.

Not sure how Judicial Watch gets info or cost, but they are non biased, so apparently something isn't right about the cost. As for the ugly Michelle Obama, you said it, not me, I think she is very attractive, but too high maintenance.

 

They lean conservative so they're not really non biased. You are correct that their numbers are usually pretty accurate and they will go after anyone. They were one of the groups suing George Bush to get the records on his energy commission.

I agree that first family vacations are nothing new. However, Pres.Obama was elected on "rolling up our sleeves and making sacrifices". How often do you see him in interviews with his sleeves rolled up? I think it would have been a great example for him to actually make a sacrifice by living what he preaches.

 

Too many hungry and sick Americans living without.....politics as usual.

I agree that first family vacations are nothing new. However, Pres.Obama was elected on "rolling up our sleeves and making sacrifices". How often do you see him in interviews with his sleeves rolled up? I think it would have been a great example for him to actually make a sacrifice by living what he preaches.

 

Too many hungry and sick Americans living without.....politics as usual.

AMEN, also, i have heard that they have made trips to Martha's Vineyard, and have taken 2 different jets there, leaving within 4 hours of each other, you mean to tell me that one or the other could not adjust their schedule so as to not have to have 2 jets flying there at tax payer expense?