There is no debating the fact that our nation is in financial turmoil. We are posting record deficits, lacking quality employment opportunities and suffering from a dire real estate market. We spend more money than we bring in. What’s worse is that the federal government continues to spend at an alarming pace, but we all know that.
The area of contention resides in determining the causes of America’s economic downturn and how to fix the problem. According to the president, we should criminalize the private sector, which creates jobs. We should pay more to the government to fund the lifestyles of those who want to freeload.
In my opinion, the biggest problem in America is our entitlement mentality. Millions of Americans believe that it is their right to receive freebies from the government, whether its welfare or housing assistance. People don’t believe that they should have to work as hard as the rest of us to provide for their families.
Why should they? The federal government has created an environment that motivates and rewards people for sitting on their butts, doing nothing and living off our dime.
So, where does this attitude come from? For one, we can start by looking at the Obamas. They came to the White House with the same entitlement mentality, “What’s yours is theirs!” They are under the assumption that we work as hard as we do to fund their entertainment exploits and vacations.
The president has been under extreme criticism for his myriad golf outings and vacations. I am not part of that camp. I believe the job of being president of the most powerful nation on Earth is the hardest and most stressful job on the planet. The president needs to have some fun and relaxation, even if we have to pay for it.
However, why should we pay for the first lady’s extravagant vacations? When is enough enough, especially when millions of Americans are struggling to put food on the table and to pay their mortgages or rent?
We recently learned that “we” paid over $400,000 to send the first lady, her daughters and others to South Africa. As a matter of fact, our final vacation investment for air travel alone came in at $424,142. The kicker is that this does not include food, lodging and an African safari to Kruger National Park. This is at a time when her husband is preaching about spending cuts and reining in the spending.
The Obamas would have you believe that the first lady went to advance our relations with South Africa and Botswana. If that were the case, then why have her daughters listed as senior staff on the manifest? Perhaps we should make them czars. What happened to the most transparent administration in history? Why did Judicial Watch have to sue to obtain the price tag of her vacation?
If the rest of Americans should be expected to make sacrifices, then shouldn’t the first lady? According to the Telegraph, inside sources at the White House have indicated that the first lady’s 42 days of vacation over the past year may have cost taxpayers nearly $10 million, including her infamous trip to Spain.
This is an outrage and an embarrassment to the White House. I wish I had that kind of vacation budget, but I don’t. I am simply not entitled to it. I have to work to pay for my family’s vacations, whereas the first lady is simply entitled to them, on our dime. I guess what’s yours is theirs.
• Michael “Winey” Weinstein can be heard on The Mike&Winey Show on 550 KFYI. (www.mike&winey.com)
CooperG posted at 8:19 am on Fri, Oct 7, 2011.
To quote the sergeant from Forrest Gump, "Are you stupid or what?" Mikey: Ayn Rand is fiction. Always was, always will be. No one, I repeat infinity, no one wants to "outlaw the private sector." I realize it's a nice catch phrase amongst you mouth breathers, but there's no truth to it. Not now, not ever.
As for the trip, gee, where were you when Laura Bush went on diplomatic trips? How about Barbara Bush? It's what First Lady's do. Laura Bush made almost the same trip, with a safari. Where was your outrage then?
Oh yeah, they're Republicans.
Slabside posted at 11:24 am on Fri, Oct 7, 2011.
Yes, First Lady's have always traveled. In my 54 years, America has not been in the financial straits that it currently finds itself. You would think the Obama's' would recognize this and set an example and curtail the lavish lifestyle and act like leaders instead of prima donnas. No, it's easier to act like King Farouk and then blame it all on Bush.
Mike McClellan posted at 5:52 pm on Fri, Oct 7, 2011.
This guy repeats everything the Right Wing Scream Machine puts out there. The Obamas paid for the trip to Spain (minus the air costs). First Ladies have been doing this for years -- Mrs. Bush took one of her daughter to France for 10 days on our dime. And took both daughters on a wait for it, wait for it . . . African safari.
Think "Whiney" made a big deal out of that on his "No one listens to it" talk show?
You wanna talk entitlement? How about all those Wall Streeters who games the system, almost destroyed our economy, then made out like bandits when we bailed them out, because they were somehow "entitled" to bonuses?
No, "Whiney" won't even touch that, because his masters don't want him to.
Cactuscrusader posted at 7:58 am on Sat, Oct 8, 2011.
What about the kind of "entitlement mentality" that says I need to purchase my 7th home which I'll barley see rather than pay my employees enough to feed their family and pay basic bills without government assistance? What about the entitlement mentality that takes money that is owed for 4% worth of taxes and place it offshore because they feel that it is "theirs" but whether or not it is truly "theirs" is up for debate. The Obamas are wealthy on their own, they can afford trips and I'd have to say Michelle Obama is one of the most down to Earth, practical, mindful first ladies there has ever been. Why bother in the attempt to appear to write anything, why not just post the talking points memo and be done with it? Thumbs down.
chatmandu002 posted at 10:37 am on Sat, Oct 8, 2011.
The Obamas have to make all their trips quickly because he won't be president after 2012 and won't be able to take trips on our dime. Wonder how many more trips they will take with the time remaining in his one term?
davidflucier posted at 6:44 am on Mon, Oct 10, 2011.
Just more of the same old right wing drivel...rich people telling rich people to tell the middle class to blame the poor.
This country was built on a progressive tax model and the social contract that building a middle class was the best, peaceful way to become a viable, equitable, sustainable society.
mnjcpa posted at 11:57 am on Wed, Oct 12, 2011.
The Obama's are hypocrites and vitriol seems to be the preferred choice of liberals that support their views. I for one am disgusted by the Obama's, their cronies, and their actions.
The media has directed attention of our economy to the big banks. But if you study the financial problems roots lie with the federal government - not the big banks. The financial mess started with Barney Frank & Chris Dodd insisting that everyone own a home when the fact is NOT EVERYONE can afford a home. Doesn't matter. You can't afford it - that's okay - we'll provide it anyway! And if the banks didn't follow the lending standards set down by these crooks, their bank would be subject to draconian measures for not following the government rules.
Along with little Timmy getting a trophy just because he showed up to class whether he deserves it or not - that's the message that liberals have corrupted our society with in our educational system and political rhetoric.
Michelle can pretend she's every woman by shopping at Target. I'll take Laura Bush - a class act - any day of the week.
Oh My Honor posted at 2:14 am on Fri, Jan 6, 2012.
I like MICHAEL WEINSTEIN"S common sense comments. Keep it coming.
Oh My Honor posted at 2:24 am on Fri, Jan 6, 2012.
Maybe the focus shoul have been on Eric Holders recent trip that was taken between his lies to congress. Should have been impeached or removed before he could have spent that money. Obama still supports his Attorney General, WHAT AN OUTRAGE>