One Month Left in Office, and President Obama goes on a 2 week vacation in Hawaii

[chromium]

This criticism might be warranted if the congress would ever work with him, so they could actually get something done in the next month. If you're unwilling to work together and DO YOUR JOB yourself, you don't get to complain how he spends his time

Average republican senator vacation last 4 years = 4 years

 

[katzgar]

As usual, your post betrays your total inability to grasp a concept and then speak to it. You charging others with being too lazy or too ignorant to check facts is laughable as well as being pathetically sad for you.

you still havent explained why you think the japanese attacked camp david

 

[Mustachio]

Congress being in session or not in session is irrelevant to the issue. President Obama is not a member of Congress, and hasn't been since 2008. The issue is the gross indifference to the average taxpaying American when a President spends between $8 and $10 million dollars to fete himself in Hawaii a couple of weeks before he walks out the door. If he wanted to take a couple of weeks off to go back to Chicago - terrific - no big deal. Better yet, do like the Bush Presidents and spend Christmas in Camp David - the taxpayers did pay for that little get-away so that Presidents could have a peaceful retreat away from Washington. But hey, no golf in the north east US this time of year so why not ding the American taxpayer for multi-millions to give one final expression of your self important ignorance.

Maybe I didn't make my point well. It does matter that congress isn't in session because I'm pointing out that Obama's trip is the minority of the money taxpayers are paying this time of year. This Forbes article sums up my thoughts exactly. Add up all the money that comes from taxpayers for Congress' vacations. How many threads are there on here about that? None. Because Obama, like every president, is going to be attacked for everything he does while congress sucks and nobody notices.

Maybe he went to Hawaii because that's where he's from. This isn't the first time he's been there. He is a human being and I'm cool with my $.01 in taxes going to his vacation.

 

[CanadaJohn]

Maybe I didn't make my point well. It does matter that congress isn't in session because I'm pointing out that Obama's trip is the minority of the money taxpayers are paying this time of year. This Forbes article sums up my thoughts exactly. Add up all the money that comes from taxpayers for Congress' vacations. How many threads are there on here about that? None. Because Obama, like every president, is going to be attacked for everything he does while congress sucks and nobody notices.

Maybe he went to Hawaii because that's where he's from. This isn't the first time he's been there. He is a human being and I'm cool with my $.01 in taxes going to his vacation.

Perhaps you'd like to start a thread highlighting the issue of the obscene amounts of money taxpayers waste on the vacations of politicians in general. I'd fully support your endeavor. I, however, was simply responding to an AP report on the matter of President Obama spending in excess of $8 million on his own vacation a mere 5 weeks prior to his term in office ending.

If you can point out any Representative or Senator who is leaving office at the end of December who is also billing the taxpayer for a lavish vacation at this time, I'd be equally appalled, regardless of ideology or political stripe. The issue of the thread is the arrogance and entitlement of the political class - in this case, the outsized arrogance of one President Obama.

And while you may, personally, consider President Obama's vacation as a mere pittance in the huge vat of government waste, as I've said previously to paraphrase the old saying - "if you take care of the pennies, the dollars will take care of themselves". If you can't take to task the holder of the highest office for obscene, self indulgent waste, you'll never have a hope of curtailing such waste that is rampant in government.

 

[katzgar]

your post is dishonest since you wont answer my comments. trying to make his trip just about a vacation and ignoring the PH meeting with Abe is classic right wing bubble.

 

[Mustachio]

Perhaps you'd like to start a thread highlighting the issue of the obscene amounts of money taxpayers waste on the vacations of politicians in general. I'd fully support your endeavor. I, however, was simply responding to an AP report on the matter of President Obama spending in excess of $8 million on his own vacation a mere 5 weeks prior to his term in office ending.

If you can point out any Representative or Senator who is leaving office at the end of December who is also billing the taxpayer for a lavish vacation at this time, I'd be equally appalled, regardless of ideology or political stripe. The issue of the thread is the arrogance and entitlement of the political class - in this case, the outsized arrogance of one President Obama.

And while you may, personally, consider President Obama's vacation as a mere pittance in the huge vat of government waste, as I've said previously to paraphrase the old saying - "if you take care of the pennies, the dollars will take care of themselves". If you can't take to task the holder of the highest office for obscene, self indulgent waste, you'll never have a hope of curtailing such waste that is rampant in government.

Like I said before, your viewpoint is valid, I just disagree that it's that excessive or unique. You only get one life, and his daughters only get one life, and he wants them to (and I'm sure he wants to) experience where he was born and grew up. The cost is ridiculous and I'm glad you'd support a thread about the huge amount of government waste regarding the perks congress gets and abuses, but nobody responds to threads I start. This is really an issue that people only care about because it's Obama. The Republican led congress has had an unprecedented amount of infighting and partisanship that stalls any and all possible progress. Paul Ryan does his job and I respect him for that, but most of them (both sides) are morons who are nothing but waste in a nice chair when they bother to show up.

 

[Fletch]

Obama has not taken more vacation than any other President.

George W Bush has taken much more vacation time than Obama.

Counted as Bush 'vacations' is time he spent at his ranch or his parents home in Maine. To me, staying at home isn't exactly what I would call a vacation.

 

[Top Cat]

How arrogant, elitist, self-absorbed and disrespectful of the American taxpayer do you have to be to take a two week golfing vacation in Hawaii on the taxpayers' dime when you only have about five more weeks in office? Couldn't wait until January 21st to travel to Hawaii at your own expense President Obama? Feel entitled to soak the taxpayers one more time?

This is exactly why someone as inappropriate as Donald Trump is now the President elect in your great country.

President Obama can't leave soon enough - stay in Hawaii and never show your face again.

How arrogant does a president have to be to go golfing every weekend? Funny how you have avoided that topic like the plague. Hard to blame you.

 

[Top Cat]

I never once changed the goalposts. I said from the beginning this was all about the arrogance of entitlement. You haven't posted the details of the Bush December 2008 vacation, so I have to assume he simply flew Air Force One to his ranch in Crawford, Texas where he spent pretty much all of his vacation time and where he now lives permanently. As such, I would not approve of taxpayer dollars being wasted on using Air Force One when any President, Democrat or Republican, has mere days left in office.

And what do you say to Trump's arrogance? No doubt you have no problem with his spending so far...

In fact you are so outraged you started a thread about it? Oh wait. That never happened! :lamo

 

[Top Cat]

Just because you post it, doesn't make it honest.

Nothing I've posted is inconsistent with my original OP and the position taken. You can't argue the facts, so you attempt to deflect. As I've noted - this has come up because it's in the news now and I find it insulting as a taxpayer, even though it's not my taxes being wasted. As I've said, if Bush did the same, I'm insulted by that too. It's about the costs to the taxpayer in the last few days of a Presidency. If you don't have a problem with that - fine - but don't lie about my position and don't try to deceive others with those lies. Be a man and simply disagree.

And where is your outrage at Trump...waiting...

 

[Vern]

And where is your outrage at Trump...waiting...

and don't forget, Trump says he inherited a mess. How is able to take time off?

 

[CanadaJohn]

How arrogant does a president have to be to go golfing every weekend? Funny how you have avoided that topic like the plague. Hard to blame you.

I haven't been on DP that much lately, but I haven't noticed any threads on here related to Trump's costs to the taxpayer. Perhaps you can direct me to any that exist. I will state, as I have in the past, that I think it is atrocious the costs incurred by the taxpayer to have Trump set up shop in NYC and travel there and or other places every weekend. People who run for President should be prepared to live in the White House 365 days of the year except when on vacation and/or travelling on state business. If Trump wants to be a jet setter on his own dime, more power to him, but not on the public's dime. In that regard, he's no different in my view than any other politician or President, Obama included.

 

[CanadaJohn]

And what do you say to Trump's arrogance? No doubt you have no problem with his spending so far...

In fact you are so outraged you started a thread about it? Oh wait. That never happened! :lamo

See above

 

[CanadaJohn]

And where is your outrage at Trump...waiting...

I've posted my outrage in threads related to Trump - you, perhaps, conveniently missed those comments in your need to find hypocrisy where none exists. Perhaps you confuse me for someone who is or has been a supporter of Trump. You'd also be wrong on that account.

 

[Carjosse]

I haven't been on DP that much lately, but I haven't noticed any threads on here related to Trump's costs to the taxpayer. Perhaps you can direct me to any that exist. I will state, as I have in the past, that I think it is atrocious the costs incurred by the taxpayer to have Trump set up shop in NYC and travel there and or other places every weekend. People who run for President should be prepared to live in the White House 365 days of the year except when on vacation and/or travelling on state business. If Trump wants to be a jet setter on his own dime, more power to him, but not on the public's dime. In that regard, he's no different in my view than any other politician or President, Obama included.

Really where have you been? There have been quite a few threads and Trump is costing the US taxpayer the same in one month as Obama did in a whole year because Trump's sons are taking business trips on the taxpayer dime as well as having to secure Trump's penthouse in New York.

 

[yankintx]

Another liberal/progressive who totally misses the point. I've said nothing about President Obama's vacations for the 8 years he's been in office but even an Obama apologist such as yourself should find it insulting that your President chooses to take Air Force One and all the associated costs of his entourage to Hawaii while he has only five weeks left in office. But maybe not - nothing about liberal/progressive disrespect of taxpayers surprises me any more.

Were you just as outraged about Donny going to FL on weekends, when Camp David is available for his use.

 

[Top Cat]

I've posted my outrage in threads related to Trump - you, perhaps, conveniently missed those comments in your need to find hypocrisy where none exists. Perhaps you confuse me for someone who is or has been a supporter of Trump. You'd also be wrong on that account.

I'll take your comments about not being around as genuine. You and I disagree frequently, but I have never known you to be dishonest.

There is a new thread I started about Trump's golfing trips. He uses AFO everytime he goes.(FL) 3 times so far.

I am waiting for the right wingers who were critical of Obama to come out against Trump's apparently high personal spending habits.

You are the first.

 

[CanadaJohn]

Really where have you been? There have been quite a few threads and Trump is costing the US taxpayer the same in one month as Obama did in a whole year because Trump's sons are taking business trips on the taxpayer dime as well as having to secure Trump's penthouse in New York.

Where have I been? Is that really your business? What part of my post that you quoted leads you to believe I support Trump or his costs to the public taxpayer??

 

[CanadaJohn]

Were you just as outraged about Donny going to FL on weekends, when Camp David is available for his use.

See above

 

[CanadaJohn]

I'll take your comments about not being around as genuine. You and I disagree frequently, but I have never known you to be dishonest.

There is a new thread I started about Trump's golfing trips. He uses AFO everytime he goes.(FL) 3 times so far.

I am waiting for the right wingers who were critical of Obama to come out against Trump's apparently high personal spending habits.

You are the first.

I hate any "public servant" using their elected office as a means to live an extravagant lifestyle. The average Joe doesn't mind paying taxes, in principle, to gain the protections and services that a larger society provides. We hate, however, seeing our taxes go to funding trips and other personal wastes that politicians feel they're entitled to simply because they won an election. This kind of stuff would be considered fraud in the private sector, if you tried to use company funds for your own benefit.

I have hated American media since the election - it's all trashing Trump, much of it irrational, so I guess I'm missing some of this. The only "golf" story I saw was Trump with the visiting Japanese Prime Minister - that's not exactly personal, but I don't like that much either.

Anyway, you should never confuse me for a Trump supporter or a supporter of government waste.

 

[Carjosse]

Where have I been? Is that really your business? What part of my post that you quoted leads you to believe I support Trump or his costs to the public taxpayer??

Who pissed in your cereal? I was not trying to invade your privacy, it is a perfectly valid question. I just pointing there have been threads on Trump's security costs and giving what thsoe threads have pointed out.

 

[CanadaJohn]

Who pissed in your cereal? I was not trying to invade your privacy, it is a perfectly valid question. I just pointing there have been threads on Trump's security costs and giving what thsoe threads have pointed out.

Who pissed in yours??

I don't recall any of your comments in this thread previously, but you may have contributed. If you did, I missed them. I did, however, comment several times on this matter and referenced Trump's expenses in NYC as well. Perhaps you were too lazy to actually read the thread before you commented in it. You could check out my comments at posts 109, 148, 171, 172, etc., where you'd see the nature of my concern. As an example, I posted this in #171:

"As I've said previously in this thread for anyone who cared to peruse it, it doesn't matter what ideology or what political party, I find it insulting when any politician does not take great care to respect the hard earned tax dollars of the citizens of the country. If there are extra expenses related to President Elect Trump working out of New York City, I would expect that those be maintained at a bare minimum or covered by the President Elect personally and if he doesn't, he will receive the same criticism from me as I've level at the current President.

Perhaps it's an unrealistic sentiment or one that has passed its time, but I believe those who serve in political office have a great duty to be frugal, particularly as it relates to them personally, with the taxpayers' dollars. After all, we are not electing Kings and Queens, but public servants."

If you want to find hypocrisy, just pick up a mirror and gaze away. Your contribution here simply points out that you, like many of your fellow leftists, are just incredibly butt hurt that Hillary Clinton wasn't crowned last November. Yours is a partisan argument, mine is not.

 

[Carjosse]

Who pissed in yours??

I don't recall any of your comments in this thread previously, but you may have contributed. If you did, I missed them. I did, however, comment several times on this matter and referenced Trump's expenses in NYC as well. Perhaps you were too lazy to actually read the thread before you commented in it. You could check out my comments at posts 109, 148, 171, 172, etc., where you'd see the nature of my concern. As an example, I posted this in #171:

"As I've said previously in this thread for anyone who cared to peruse it, it doesn't matter what ideology or what political party, I find it insulting when any politician does not take great care to respect the hard earned tax dollars of the citizens of the country. If there are extra expenses related to President Elect Trump working out of New York City, I would expect that those be maintained at a bare minimum or covered by the President Elect personally and if he doesn't, he will receive the same criticism from me as I've level at the current President.

Perhaps it's an unrealistic sentiment or one that has passed its time, but I believe those who serve in political office have a great duty to be frugal, particularly as it relates to them personally, with the taxpayers' dollars. After all, we are not electing Kings and Queens, but public servants."

If you want to find hypocrisy, just pick up a mirror and gaze away. Your contribution here simply points out that you, like many of your fellow leftists, are just incredibly butt hurt that Hillary Clinton wasn't crowned last November. Yours is a partisan argument, mine is not.

All I did was tell you how much Trump cost taxpayers in his first month compared to Obama's annual spending, and it is a lot more. It is not partisan, it is just fact. The American people are footing the bill for his son's business trips, for a company both Trump and his family should have been forced to divest from.

I do not think that Trump is mentally capable enough to be president but that had nothing to do with my post.