Posted on 07/06/2009 5:22:28 AM PDT by kellynla
America may be in the midst of a deep recession, and the nation may be facing unprecedented deficit spending and debt, but the White House will not reveal the cost to taxpayers of the European vacation that first lady Michelle Obama and the president’s two daughters, Malia and Sasha, took last month.
Travel by an American first lady typically includes the military passenger jet that carries her and the children, Secret Service personnel to provide security, and a separate cargo plane to haul official vehicles.
First Lady Michelle Obama’s tour of Paris with her children included a convoy of 20 vehicles, according to news reports. She also moved by “motorcade” through London.
The full cost of such a trip would also include the expense of meals and lodging for Secret Service agents and possibly other staff.
In response to inquiries from CNSNews.com last week about the cost to taxpayers of the first lady’s European vacation, the White House did not provide a figure.
“Like previous administrations, the first lady will follow all the rules and regulations that are related to reimbursement for personal travel,” Michelle Obama’s press secretary Katie McCormick Lelyveld told CNSNews.com in a written response.
CNSNews.com inquiries to the White House on the cost of the trip were made by both phone and e-mail on June 30, July 1, July 2 and July 3.
Though White House rules for vacations, or unofficial travel, requires reimbursing the government the equivalent to the cost of what a commercial flight would have been, such a reimbursement would amount to only a fraction of the total cost of the first lady’s European trip.
(Excerpt) Read more at cnsnews.com ...
It's not like our country is struggling economically and many of us are having to cut back. Why should Obama and family suffer like the rest of us?
The liberal elite in action. They have one set of rules for the common herd, and another for themselves.
that first mother in law I bet was on the fly over over NY city too.
Wonder how many times she has shouted hey white boy.
Makes me sick that trash cheated their way into the white house and now are staying there.
That house should be graced with class not trash
At least we coulda got a T-Shirt for our $100 Mil?
Pray for America
I understand big mama-in-law is on this boondoggle too. Gotta watch the kids you know.
The sacking of America continues while the media scrapes and bows at the altar of the ‘Bama.
Elitist racists: (The “It’s OUR turn” crowd.)
1) Charlie Rangel
2) Jesse Jackson
3) Al Sharpton
4) Eleanor Holmes Norton
5) Cynthia McKinney
6) Bobby Rush
7) Kweisi Mfume
8) John Conyers
9) Kwame Kilpatrick
10) Michelle Obama
The only thing transparent about this administration is the teleprompter.
It’s a WHOLE FAMILY VACATION!! I don’t mind Michelle, but the kids and GRANDMA is a bit much.
LOL!! LOL!! Please REPEAT that a LOT!!!!
Does anybody remember Laura and the twins flying to London for Fish and Chips?
Liberals complained about the Bushes going to their own ranch!
Which would enrich fellow AMERICANS & AMERICAN BUSINESSES...
shezzzzzzzzzzzz...
For a bunch who are “supposed” to be so damn smart,
they they less common sense than a little bit!
Even CBS is picking up on ObaMugabe’s self indulgent extravagent spending. I saw a few mentions of his lavish July 4th Hawaiian luau as well.
This is a good issue for us.
Here’s another question.. How much did the Washington DC FIREWORKS display cost? The 7/4 fireworks poured endlessly into the sky over the Washington monument. An orgasmic waste of money.
Is it “take your kids to work” day? Maybe that’s his excuse! LOL
In America, we have a political elite, and the rest of us who just pay taxes.
Way low... I’d say more like 175,000,000. Think of all the people involved.. thousands.
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