BY MALIA ZIMMERMAN – President Barack Obama and his family have taken a $4 million vacation in Kailua, Hawaii, each Christmas, since 2008, courtesy of the nation’s taxpayers.
According to a new book – “Presidential Perks Gone Royal” –by Author Robert Keith Gray, Hawaii Reporter’s investigation into the vacation expenses on the island of Oahu merely scratches the surface of the $1.4 billion the taxpayers spend in just one year for transportation, housing, staffing, security and entertainment for President Obama and first family.
Gray, who worked within the White House under three presidents and had close ties with two more, notes that while other presidents have taken advantage of perks, the amount of money spent on the first family has risen substantially under the Obama administration, and must be brought under control.
Gray also notes the inequity of taxpayer dollars being spent by Obama for his re-election effort by using Air Force One to travel between campaign stops.
Some of the examples of presidential perks that are highlighted in Gray’s book:
- There are 26 cabin crewmembers and five chefs on Air Force One.
- The president’s dog gets its own high-paid staffer, who is always on duty, paid an annual salary of $102,000 last year.
- On at least one airline flight, Bo the dog and his handler were only passengers aboard.
- The president has a full-time movie projectionist in the White House theater who sleeps at the White House and is on duty 24 hours a day in case anyone needs to see a movie.
- First Lady Michelle Obama spent more than 42 days on vacation in one year with security, travel and accommodations paid for by taxpayers.
- And because the president can appoint high-paid staffers without Senate confirmation, Obama has 469 senior staffers and 43 “czars.”
- 226 are paid more than $100,000 a year, and 77 are paid as much as $172,000 per year.
- In 2009, Gray said the military payroll at Camp David was $8 million and were put there serve the First Family and its guests.
“The British spent $57.8 Million on its royal family last year. We Americans spent nearly $2 Billion housing, transporting, entertaining, staffing, our First Family and paying a hefty portion of the president’s campaign expenses,” Gray said.
Gray notes that responsible citizens want the President to be “safe, comfortable and happy” but he maintains the “unchecked growth of out-of control perks, bestowed on this duly elected official without oversight by any individual or governing body, are a dangerous surrender of the democratic process because the seated president has a virtually insurmountable re-election advantage over his opponent.”
Gray said what he discovered during his research for this book led him to view the Obama lifestyle and administration as “our presidency going royal.”
Gray asks: “With our current president’s billion- dollar lifestyle, can we reasonably expect a president to identify with the real-world problems of his citizens, when tens of millions of them are currently unemployed?”
See more about the book on Amazon
https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0974810355/thedaical-20
Prez BO would never spend his own money on a vacation to Hawaii. He would suffer the Chicago winter, than spend a dime of his own money to bring his family to Hawaii. I may be wrong, but when was the last time he showed his face in Hawaii to support his roots before he became President. I guess like a weed his roots were pretty shallow. But when we taxpayers are on the limb, he can graciously spend all of that money he didn't earn, just like all the folks who did not build their businesses through their effort and hard work. Auwe Prez Obama, shame on you for wasting our money on your frivolous whims and denigrating those that make your royalty possible.
This guy is an absolute liar. Don't you people ever check out these things. Hell, the First Family even pays for their own food at the White House. And, if there is anyone taking care of BO, it is the family or someone paid by the family. Also, when they go to Hawaii, they pay for their rental as well as the accommodations on the property for the Secret Service.
I bet George W Bush reads all this malarkey written by republican haters and just plain laughs at it's fallacy.
your're an idiot!
Too busy to find out if Dorothy Herman is right, Michelle? Your response is the typical one seen from Fox-News-watching, Rush-Limbaugh-listening low information dittoheads who are clueless when it comes to doing searches on the Internet. You aren't curious enough to find out if Fox News or Limbaugh has been lying to you, are you?
A billion here, a billion there. Pretty soon it adds up to some real money. But not to worry!! Uncle Ben over at the Federal Reserve will just keep printing more "counter-feit " money to keep all in the political class living it up.
What the heck do you think Reagan and Bush' s were, on the house?
Ms Zimmerman may want to get a life…and a real writing assignment.
Don, for your information President Reagan and George Bush spent vacations in their own homes. Bush in Crawford, texas and Reagan in Santa Barbara , California. Both were too good Americans who had earned their very casual homes. They cost the taxpayers next to nothing compared with the ghetto dwellers who have used tax money as if it was their own. The the disbarred lawyers are liars, thieves , and the enemy of this country. If you don't know and believe that then you are not well informed. Perhaps you could become informed and cast your vote for a real American and that won't be Obama.
Disbarred lawyers? "Ghetto" dwellers? "Real" American? Like you? Typical moronic, racist propaganda from the FAUX Noise/Rethug crowd.
Race is always brought up by those who practice it; ideology and liberalism, and amateur politics is our problem; blame game all the time; Reagan never once blamed Carter; and we had eight years of prosperity under him; Carter was the worst until Obama; he takes the prize of incompetence.
are you upset that she smarter than you and she does have a decent life where as you are a loser
Don…you ignorant slut!!!!!! 10 Signs That You're Fully Awake
Isn't it obvious that there is a significant global awakening happening? Just as the Mayans predicted so many years ago, the apocalypse would become apparent in 2012. But many misinterpret the apocalypse to be the end of the world, when in fact it actually means an "un-covering, a revelation of something hidden."
As many continue to argue the accuracy of the Mayan calendar, it can no longer be argued that a great many people are finally becoming aware of what has been hidden from them for so long. Of course this awakening is not an overnight process. It takes time to peel away the many layers of lies to get to the core of the ultimate truths.
It would be beyond pretentious for us to claim to know all of the secrets of the universe. We don't. Everyday we are humbled by what we don't yet know.
However, it is becoming clearer by the day what isn't true. And by that measure alone, it is possible to determine if you're one of the people beginning to wake up.
Here are ten signs you may be fully awake:
1. You know there's no meaningful difference between major political parties (Democrats and Republicans): It's so easy to get caught up the left-right debate and believe there's a difference between the two major political parties. However, debate is one thing, while actions are another. By their deeds you shall know them, and it is indisputable that there is no significant difference between political parties when it comes to action on the most important issues. Even hardened ideologues like John Cusack are beginning to wake up.
2. You understand that the Federal Reserve, or international central banking more broadly, is the engine of our economic problems: Debt slavery is the totalitarian force that threatens all of humanity, not some temporary political puppet or some greedy Wall Street trader. When a small group of people have the ability to create wealth out of nothing and charge interest on it, they have the ability to enslave the planet to their ownership despite what type of government a country claims to have.
3. You know that preemptive war is never necessary: When we realize that self-defense is the only acceptable form of violence, then we become awakened human beings. To suggest war because someone is different from you, or they may pose a threat in the future is simply ludicrous. And when did the idea of bombing civilians become humanitarian? No one wants war except for the immoral creeps that benefit from it.
4. You know that you're being systematically poisoned, how, by whom, and why: Admittedly, there's a lot to learn in terms of how we are secretly being poisoned. But the fact remains that we are being systematically poisoned, and it is likely for the deliberate purpose of dumbing us down and, ultimately, culling the population. Who could believe anyone is so evil to do that to innocent people, you may ask. Well, once you begin to seek the answer to that question, you're one step closer to enlightenment.
5. You understand that government can never legislate morality, nor should they: When you realize the role of government is only to protect your liberty and work for the well being of the citizens, you're awakened. There should be one simple law regulating morality: Do no harm. Thus, it's impossible for the government to enforce morality with guns, cages, and taxes because those clearly cause severe harm to your liberty and our well-being.
6. You know that the mainstream media is wholly owned and manipulated by the ruling elite: A dwindling number of people still actually believe what they hear coming from the establishment media as if it's gospel, even when they already accept that they are bought and paid for by the elite controllers. Yet, recognizing that they are nothing more than a propaganda machine and a form of mind control are the first steps in being able to critically think beyond the scientific messaging they broadcast.
7. You know that your neighbors are not your enemy even if you have fierce ideological disagreements: This is perhaps the most difficult thing to overcome in the awakening process. But it's vital to understand that your neighbors have been indoctrinated and hypnotized like the rest of the us, until someone helps shine a light on inconsistencies in our thoughts and beliefs. Most of their ideas are not their own. They are suffering just like the rest of us. It's okay to condemn their actions if they're harmful, but those who are awake will not give up on spreading information that can enlighten those who might still be in the dark. None of us were born "awake" and all of us can learn even more.
8. You know that the endgame is one-world control of planet Earth: Once you understand that the endgame for the ruling elite is to have complete control of all vital facets of society through a global government, one-world currency, international armed forces, and so on, it is simple to see through the lies and propaganda surrounding even the most confusing world events. You will never go back to sleep when you fully accept this reality.
9. You recognize that there are esoteric powers manipulating our physical world: Whether you're a religious or spiritual person, scientific or just plain curious, there are many theories about an invisible force at play in all of this. Obviously it's impossible to prove exactly what it is. You may not want to believe it, but the ruling elite takes their occult rituals deadly serious. And they likely know something we don't. Just by keeping an open mind about this possibility, you'll forever keep an open mind about the things we can actually see, hear, taste and touch. Current science has shown that we can only "see" what the visible light spectrum reveals, which amounts to the tiniest fraction of all that can theoretically be seen within the full spectrum of energy. Part of any awakening is realizing that there is much more that is possible than impossible.
10. The power to change the world rests with you and you alone: For too long people have believed themselves to be weak, or relied on others to change the world for them. You'll know that you're fully awake when you realize that you have infinite power to change the world by simply living the change you want to see. First, you have to identify the principles that you believe in and then go out and live by them. If just a small minority took steps to do this, it would shake the establishment to its core.
What kind of world do you want to live in?
~Our Own Government,is Our Own Enemy~ Now go suck a big one….Don !!!!!!
Reagan and Bush were very conservative spenders. Their main vacations were to Camp David which is staffed all the time anyway. Bush would occasionally go back to his own ranch in Texas for vacations. Mrs. Bush had very few staff. Nothing like Michelle Obama's huge staff. None of the presidents up till Obama have done "in-your-face" spending so lavishly as Obama. He's such a poor president but because he's black and speaks well some overlook it. There are plenty of good speakers who are just plain liars.
As he says often, "I'm president and you're not so I can do what I want." He thinks he's a king. You're the one who needs to get a real life and open your eyes to what Obama really is.
Hey Don, you must be a Libtard because the record of the Bush and Reagan vacations together didn't add up to one of Obozos vacation, you need to get a grip on reality and wake up to the fact that Obozo believes he's King Obozo.
Obozo believes he's king of the gays to.
Remember his first inagural?
Obama also said he's known to be a "fierce advocate for equality" for gays and lesbians, and will remain so.
From a policeman assigned to the security detail for the President, during his second from last vacation, horses were shipped in from the mainland so that wifey could horse back ride at Bellows. Why couldn't she go to the Waimanalo stables and ride theire?
This is a silly story. The President wants to come home with his family when he has a chance. Then he plays golf, works out at the Marine base, hangs with old friends, shoots hoops, plays at the beach with his wife and kids. I don't see this as the lifestyle of the rich and famous. Yes, some of the expenses seem extravagant but the story actually reminds me of National enquirer. Not up to the usual standards.
Obama hails from Chicago…..he hasn't represented Hawaii since ……we'll his mom is from Kansas,and his father,well we don't know who that is,exactly!!!!!
he didn't take the time to take his family to see his grandmother who raised him. only after she died did he decide to start this yearly visits.
This is why this guy needs to be fired as pres. He is so hypocritical it is unreal. He talks of being for the middle class, humpf, I haven't been able to take a vacation for 3.5 years, the economy is so bad I am now living paycheck to paycheck. The middle east is blowing up while he is blaming it on some dumb video on youtube and going back to bed. (and then then they found out what everyone all ready knew, that it was a terrorist attack!) When He is fired I hope he doesn't come here to retire, He should go back to Chicago to live it up with all his gangster friends.
Stop hating.
Hui's not hating, just venting on his spending.
Now that USA 's funding is MIA, your hero B.Scatz states; "It's time to reopen the government, to pay our bills, to ensure the full faith and credit of the United States and to return to the negotiating table to all of the challenges in front of us,"
Go to KHON2's Hawaii Senators weigh in on government shutdown @ https://www.khon2.com/news/hawaii-senators-weigh-i…
So stopping B.O.'s spending is a challenge?
[…] Obama Lifestyle Criticized as ‘Royal’: Author Documents Presidential Vacations, Staffing… […]
Ah….I hope that was money mostly spent in Hawaii! If we cannot afford to house our President and his family for a Christmas vacation at his place of birth, what can we afford? HE DESERVES IT! Good advertising for Hawaii too!
I think it is a shame how Michelle spends our tax dollar's for all of maids, hair dresser's and have to have so many
of them to help her..perhaps to help us go to the bathroom also.
Is this fox news? Didn't George Jr vacation most of his first term in office. Last time I checked isn't Martha's vineyard an exclusive and very expensive area to stay at? Stop saying its okay for one but not okay for the other. Stop the hating, no wonder our country is such a mess. Look at yourselves before you judge and by the way no one has the right to judge the other except God and all you hatefully people out there "He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone …" John 8:7. If you think can do better then seek the office otherwise either support the president or shut you mouth and vote for the best candidate and not because he/she is representing a certain party.
Tired of the hate….shove King Obama up your ass!
such irony.
Shove Bush up yours
Most of the time, Bush went home to Crawford for vacations, where he still worked as our President. Clinton would go home to Little Rock. Bush, Sr would go home to Maine. Reagon would go home to California to his ranch. Since Obama is from Chicago, (Hawaii is where his grandmother lived,) why doesn't he go home to Chicago like the previous Presidents did?
How often did the Golfer in Chief spend Christmas in Hawaii prior to being elected president. I mean Hawaii is his home and all.
Born here, but his heart somewhere…..
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