Cost to the American taxpayers for Obama’s little trip to Denmark – $10 million

We have a President who has met with his Afghan commander ONE time in 70 days, and has spent more time with Oprah and David Letterman, than he has with McChrystal in the last 70 days. We have unemployment at 9.7% and on the rise, despite the promises of the stimulus plan passing that unemployment wouldn’t climb above 8%. We have a new report out today that consumer confidence is dropping. We have a “health care crisis” thats so important, that health care reform must be passed now (even with the liberals defeat on the public option today). Yet, despite all these problems, we have Obama who is taking a little trip to Denmark on Thursday to try and campaign to get the Olympics for the corruption captial of the US (Chicago) in 2016. Chicago getting the Olympics would be a huge payoff for the likes of Valerie Jarrett (who owns property where Olympics will take place) and Tony Rezko. On top of all this, the little trip will cost Americans $10 million according to National Review Online:

The cost of Obama’s trip will not be close to $1 mil.  It is well over $10 mil if it is a dime. The figures you quoted (accurately) are for flying a VC-25 (Presidential 747). Presidential trips require both 747s, as one is a backup. However, the costs soar when you realize that from the moment a POTUS indicates he wants to go somewhere, dozens, if not hundreds of people start preparing every detail. These details include security, communications, protocol, logistics that boggle the mind and transportation that most people never see. Several Air Force cargo planes of equipment are loaded and flown to the destination with armored limos, security personnel from the Secret Service and the relevant military branches, fuels specialists, etc. A National Airborne Operations Command  Post 747 from Offutt AFB, NE will accompany him to keep POTUS in constant communications in case of national or word emergency . . . We are now up to three 747s, multiple cargo planes and costs for personnel who fly commercial ahead of POTUS. If FLOTUS flies separately, add a C-32 (757) for her and her staff, entourage, hangers-on etc, with attendant security, logistics, etc. Add a few more million dollars, though many personnel in Denmark will cover preparations for both POTUS and FLOTUS.

Air Force One is a perk for all Presidents and I hesitate to criticize their use and cost.  Bill Clinton flew the wings off Air Force One, but I criticized him for his policies, behavior and attitudes toward what he considered the benighted peasants of this country. He is the head of his party and, all Presidents use AF 1 liberally, as they should. Moreover, we need to keep him safe at all times and in contact with whomever is needed. AF 1 is like the medieval king arriving to fanfares of trumpets and bringing the majesty of the office (however tarnished by recent occupants) to all destinations. Despite Obama’s words and best efforts, we are still the dominant country on Earth and any President is both head of state and head of government. Let the trumpets sound upon any POTUS’ arrival.

Obama’s trip to Copenhagen to bring the Olympics to my hometown is both stupid and unnecessary as half of Chicago does not want them. It will be the ultimate trough for the piggish politicians in Chicago to bury their collective snouts in corruption. However, I encourage all conservatives to go after Obama on the substance of the trip, not the cost of flying there. We shall soon have conservative POTUS and he or she will use AF 1. Let’s not justify the inevitable criticism from the lunatic left about use of AF 1.

No TweetBacks yet. (Be the first to Tweet this post)

September 29, 2009 · Filed Under General Politics


Comments

  • Kelly Swapp

    Obama’s carbon footprint is HUGE! If he paid for some offsets, perhaps we could balance the budget.

  • John Q Public

    Obama endures epic face plant in Denmark.

    Those racists basterds, how could they say no to teh O? You know it was racism, otherwise they would have atleast let him save face, by finishing in the top three.

    Out after the first round?

    Clearly they hate black people.

  • Pingback: Chicago eliminated in the FIRST ROUND – Rio gets the Olympics for 2016 | Fire Andrea Mitchell!

  • Pingback: Blue Collar Republican » Blog Archive » Olympic Committee And World Spit In Face Of Obama

  • http://msn william

    this all if not in part should be blamed on both president bush admins ,and litigated against by the true if any republican party,these self serving bastards have let all americans down on the liberty front against beauracrarcy and socialism .yet true to form on business and taxes and national security have done americans life saving justice however leaving these egg sucking phelebes on society the npower that they seeming muster is a disgrace against anything any parentwould or should expose their children to

  • http://none roxanne noble

    I have no use for this health care reform. It stinks just lik Obamo.