“Personally, I expect leaders of countries to travel with a bit of luxury and don’t really begrudge it to them.”
Explain why they deserve one item of “luxury” beyond a safe environment that is functional?
Reasons of national prestige among others, but also because they do (generally, I won't say there aren't exceptions - and if people want to argue there's one or two exceptions on that list, I won't argue with them - not naming any names as it isn't my place to criticise the elected leaders of other friendly nations) work extremely hard and basically never stop working even during supposed down time.
I worked up close and personal with some people in these very senior roles. There's a lot of perks to them, but there's a lot of very hard work as well.
And I want the best people possible seeking these roles - and the best people possible tend to be people who could be earning a lot more and living a much better lifestyle in private industry.
I was at the CPAC Reagan Dinner many Years ago.
The Wine they served was “Two Buck Chuck”. When I saw the Wine, I remarked that this must be a Conservative Event.
The guy sitting next to me, the Assistant Secretary of the Army at the time said, this is Virginia, because of the Taxes here it’s actually “Three Buck Chuck”.
I wonder, do the Obama’s drink Two Buck Chuck or Ripple?