[Corin Stormhands]

did “we” pay for that?

Quite frankly, what if we did?

I can't stand the fact that this man is the President of the United States, but he is. And they're the first family.

Would you have the same response if this were for the Palin children?

[texmexis best]

I absolutely do not mind paying for a swing set for the kids. The do not touch character of the WH wold be tough on the girls.

[luckystarmom]

These are not that expensive, and I think it would be appropriate for government dollars to be used, especially if it stays at the White House after Obama leaves office.

[silverleaf]

My point is, this is EXACTLY what has been going on with the Palin children! Except for them, it has been about govt paying for them traveling as a family to representational events.

Personally, he gets paid $400K and can build his own dam swing set. Buying toys for WH kids is not the job of or of benefit to the US taxpayer. And 5 will get you 10 his 5th grader is way too old for this junk, anyway.

[Lucky9teen]

Yes, I would, and especially considering the status of our economy.

[Michael.SF.]

Quite frankly, what if we did?

My first response was to agree with you, but then I did a little history checking, remembering that Nixon had a bowling alley installed in the WH.

Nixon is always and for ever tagged as the epitome of evil by the left, correct? But what do we find at the link?:

President and Mrs. Nixon, both avid bowlers, had a new one-lane alley built (paid for by friends) in an underground workspace area

So apparently Nixon thought enough of his position and power to not burden taxpayers with such frivolities.

Now a swing set is cheap compared to a bowling alley, but I would be willing to bet that neither the anointed one, or his friends, paid dime one for this.