Thread: Obamas' Night Out

I don't see the problem.
Ok, the guy has money. So what if he spends 30K in one go? McCain has oodles and oodles of money more than him, and probably spends some chunks of it at one time or another. It's their money. Since when is someone not allowed anymore to spend his money accodring to his own wishes because someone else has less? That almost sounds like commie talk
Any money he spends goes into the economy. Spending it is more useful than keeping it stuffed in a mattress.

How about the RADicts here showing off their Livis? The only razors I can afford are those I restore or make myself. Should the RADdicts feel bad for showing off stuff that -I- cannot possibly afford?

I don't think so.

And seeing as the economy was already tanking during his campaign, I don't think it's his fault that the detroit auto workers are out of a job. That blame lies somewhere else entirely.

Originally Posted by Bruno

I don't see the problem.
Ok, the guy has money. So what if he spends 30K in one go? McCain has oodles and oodles of money more than him, and probably spends some chunks of it at one time or another. It's their money. Since when is someone not allowed anymore to spend his money accodring to his own wishes because someone else has less? T.

Obama himself has made this suggestion, along with other congress members, house and senate alike.


I think he should be able to spend his money as he likes also, but he is likely spending tax money as this trip is official government business.

His arrogance and hypocrisy is showing through.

By the way, one of the nastiest ploy's an opponent will use on you is to get you to hate them because then they have the advantage. The more you hate them the more you will become like them.

Originally Posted by JMS

I think he should be able to spend his money as he likes also, but he is likely spending tax money as this trip is official government business.

That was exactly my point. Everything that he does is official government business. When he goes on a date with his wife, the government doesn't shut down in his absence, some of it has to follow him around wherever he goes. He's on the clock all the time, even, as Hillary pointed out, at 3 AM. There is nothing wrong with what he did. It's not a class issue, it's a presidential job issue.

Schröder made similar mistakes by being on the gazettes in his holidays in (super expensive) Portofino, designer three pieces and Cohiba smoking while cutting down on government aid for the needy constantly.
It cost him quite some support.

I don't see the problem here.

If anything, the problem seems to be spin - but that's politics.

Also, if you earn 15k as a book seller, and that is not enough for you - then change your career. If you have a nice quality of life, and you enjoy what you do, then you're going to have to accept that people earn a crap load more than you and spend it (sometimes) frivioulesly - that doesn't mean, however, that they are any better for it or that they should stop.

Originally Posted by gregs656

I don't see the problem here.

If anything, the problem seems to be spin - but that's politics.

Also, if you earn 15k as a book seller, and that is not enough for you - then change your career. If you have a nice quality of life, and you enjoy what you do, then you're going to have to accept that people earn a crap load more than you and spend it (sometimes) frivioulesly - that doesn't mean, however, that they are any better for it or that they should stop.

Live by the spin, die by the spin.

Originally Posted by gregs656

...Also, if you earn 15k as a book seller, and that is not enough for you - then change your career. If you have a nice quality of life, and you enjoy what you do, then you're going to have to accept that people earn a crap load more than you and spend it (sometimes) frivioulesly - that doesn't mean, however, that they are any better for it or that they should stop.

I don't understand why you think that Elliette is complaining about income disparity. It was clearly NOT her point. The president's and first Lady's flight to NY and associated motorcade were all paid with by money lifted from the pockets of working people in taxes. I have no issue with the presidents salary and how he chooses to spend it, or where. It wouldn't have bothered me if he'd been in NY for some other reason and decided to take in a show while he was there. The special trip, though, that's where the frivolity really shows. I (and Elliette, I suspect) take issue with the fact that Obama chooses to have a night out on the backs of the taxpayers of this country, who are already busting their asses trying to pay for two wars, pay the benefits for veterans returning from those wars with shattered bodies, pay the unemployment benefits for the thousands and thousands of laid off workers, and take care of our crumbling infrastructure.

And just look at his carbon footprint. Couldn't they have just walked down the block to a movie theater, and saved the broadway show for when they were in NY anyway?

Originally Posted by joesixpack

And just look at his carbon footprint. Couldn't they have just walked down the block to a movie theater, and saved the broadway show for when they were in NY anyway?

No, they couldn't just 'have walked a block'

He is the freakin' US president. It would be an absolute security nightmare.
The secret service would not be able to protect him without evacuating that entire block to make sure noone could take a potshot at him. I'm sure some people would have complained.

Obama cannot just 'walk a block' anymore than any president could without generating even more hindrance. That's why he drives around in what is essentially a bunker with wheels.

Originally Posted by Utopian

That was exactly my point. Everything that he does is official government business. When he goes on a date with his wife, the government doesn't shut down in his absence, some of it has to follow him around wherever he goes. He's on the clock all the time, even, as Hillary pointed out, at 3 AM. There is nothing wrong with what he did. It's not a class issue, it's a presidential job issue.

Fistly, I agree with you, but he is the one who brought "the classes" into this in the first place.
Secondly, we elected a president, not royalty. Our president, especially at this time, should display a little humility. Even a decent King and Queen, amongst all the pomp and circumstance, will show a little dignity and humility.

Originally Posted by Bruno

It's their money. Since when is someone not allowed anymore to spend his money accodring to his own wishes because someone else has less? That almost sounds like commie talk

Excellent point Bruno.
You know that automatic payroll deduction takes my money.
And Social Security is my money.
And Medicare/Medicaid is my money.
Yet I never see any of it.
Furthermore I will never see any of it.
I don't use (nor does my family) any sort of Gov assistance, and SS is slated for bankruptcy when I am in my 50's.

Isn't it my money?
DAMN RIGHT IT'S MY MONEY!!
I TRADED HOURS OF MY LIFE FOR THAT MONEY!!!
AND THE GOVERNMENT IS TAKING IT
THEY ARE TAKING HOURS OF MY LIFE EVERY DAY THEY ARE STEALING MY LIFE!!!

Time is the stuff that life is made of, and when it is gone there will be no more.

straight from the horse's asses mouth
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