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.
“but also because they do”
So they deserve luxury travel “because they do?”. That doesn’t really make sense?
“work extremely hard and basically never stop working even during supposed down time.”
And how does that indicate they deserve anything more than a businessman?
“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.”
How’s that working out for the world now? As far as national prestige, they should be showing some respect for the poor sod who lifetime of taxes is paying for one political fun trip. As for all that hard work, i’m simply not buying it.
They don’t put in half the work of any normal person, and they live lives that would make mad king Ludwig blush.
It needs to stop. Not so long ago the presidency was nothing like a monarch, and that was a very good thing.
As a conservative, I believe they should be doing a lot less work with exponentially fewer responsibilities. At much lower expense to us.