Michelle Costing Taxpayers Nearly $80,000 Just For Rental Cars In Trip To Japan

[Sonny Clark]

I'll help. What percentage is 80K of 4,000 billion? You let us all know eh. My calculator can't display that many zeros until I see a number that's different.

It's not so much the $80,000, it's the cumulative amount over the years that's eye opening. It's the collective sum of all expenses, and not just one occurrence that's in question. In other words, a little here, a little there, soon adds up to big numbers. While some may be normal, expected, and the usual and customary expenses, by the same token, some are not. This is especially true considering the national debt and the interest we pay on that debt, the decrease in tax revenue, the talk that tax increases are necessary, the general state of the economy, the amount borrowed each and every day just to keep the government running, and the well publicized and documented waste credited to the government.

Borrowing money for luxury living, and a luxurious lifestyle consisting of a total disregard for cost, especially when others are paying for it, and will be paying for it for decades to come, is neither right nor ethical. Also, this spending behavior is taking place while Mr. Obama, himself, has mentioned several times that "we" need to find ways to lift the poor and less fortunate from the grips of poverty. Is that "talking out of both sides of one's mouth"? How many "John Q. Publics" would live a luxurious lifestyle on borrowed money, and force others to pay that debt? Would it be considered as right and ethical to do so? If so, by who's standard?

What is "normal"?

How do Obama expenditures compare to previous Presidents? In almost every analysis Obama is spending the same or less than his predecessors

Now we all know that Republicans would never hold Obama to a different standard because he is black. But what would be their reason?

I have absolutely no idea as to what Republicans would or wouldn't do concerning Mr. Obama and his wife. I couldn't care less what they would think. I'm not a Republican nor a Democrat, I don't play party politics. Also, what other presidents and first families have or have not done is not the point of the root article. But, yes, all of them have been wasteful and have taken advantage of taxpayers' hard earned tax dollars.

What's normal, you ask? To me, normal is taking vacations like everyone else takes. Take two or three weeks a year to relax with family and have a great time. But, very expensive year-round travel, spending other peoples' money, borrow money at that, is not normal, by any standard. The Obama's are not just going on vacations and making official necessary trips, they are going to the extreme.

OK

So the Obamas take a ten day vacation at Christmas and another ten day vacation in August

What is extreme about that?

This is March.

 

[longknife]

From BBC Day in Pictures

Guess who

More pix @ BBC News - Day in pictures 19 March 2015

 

[Sonny Clark]

80,000 sounds like a bargain. Imagine what it would have cost if we flew our own cars over their. What does it cost to fly a few of those big cargo planes to the other side of the globe?

This is just the cost of rental cars for a number of days in Japan. This doesn't include travel, lodging expenses, security, cost of fuel. This is one single item. The rental car or cars. $80,000.

I expect she'll claim she paid for this herself, but that would be impossible. Her tax returns shows they can't afford such extravagance.

The trip is costing a hell of a lot more than $80,000

But that is the cost of diplomacy and maintaining international relations

What relations? We're hated world over. We've lost the respect we once enjoyed with many of our foreign friends and allies. Every country wants to see us collapse economically, and as a military super power. What will expense trips my Mrs. Obama accomplish concerning world friendships? How many friends do we have in Southeast Asia, the Middle East, in Europe? How many relationships have we damaged? How much money have we given them in foreign aid? How much military support have we given them? And, now, we have to make expensive visits? Pleeeeease

 

[kiwiman127]

Speaking of money spent.
How much tax payer's money has been spent on paying for political gamesmanship by Congress that produced nothing?

 

[AceRothstein]

What relations? We're hated world over. We've lost the respect we once enjoyed with many of our foreign friends and allies. Every country wants to see us collapse economically, and as a military super power.

Do you have any evidence of this? Every poll I've seen shows we're much more respected now than we were in 2008 outside of a few countries.

 

[Camp]

80,000 sounds like a bargain. Imagine what it would have cost if we flew our own cars over their. What does it cost to fly a few of those big cargo planes to the other side of the globe?

This is just the cost of rental cars for a number of days in Japan. This doesn't include travel, lodging expenses, security, cost of fuel. This is one single item. The rental car or cars. $80,000.

I expect she'll claim she paid for this herself, but that would be impossible. Her tax returns shows they can't afford such extravagance.

The trip is costing a hell of a lot more than $80,000

But that is the cost of diplomacy and maintaining international relations

What relations? We're hated world over. We've lost the respect we once enjoyed with many of our foreign friends and allies. Every country wants to see us collapse economically, and as a military super power. What will expense trips my Mrs. Obama accomplish concerning world friendships? How many friends do we have in Southeast Asia, the Middle East, in Europe? How many relationships have we damaged? How much money have we given them in foreign aid? How much military support have we given them? And, now, we have to make expensive visits? Pleeeeease

You are delusional. Relations were destroyed during the Bush administration and have been being repaired ever since Obama came into office. Our approval and positive ratings all over the world have increased dramatically since the Bush administration left office.

 

[ClosedCaption]

Oh wow the FLOTUS doesnt pay for her own vacations like every other FLOTUS that ever lived.

Other shockers for the OP is birds fly and fish swim

 

[Sonny Clark]

What relations? We're hated world over. We've lost the respect we once enjoyed with many of our foreign friends and allies. Every country wants to see us collapse economically, and as a military super power.

Do you have any evidence of this? Every poll I've seen shows we're much more respected now than we were in 2008 outside of a few countries.

Gee, what a surprise to hear that. Well, my evidence is many articles that I've read over the past 15 years. I could research the pieces if it's that important to you.

 

[rightwinger]

I'll help. What percentage is 80K of 4,000 billion? You let us all know eh. My calculator can't display that many zeros until I see a number that's different.

It's not so much the $80,000, it's the cumulative amount over the years that's eye opening. It's the collective sum of all expenses, and not just one occurrence that's in question. In other words, a little here, a little there, soon adds up to big numbers. While some may be normal, expected, and the usual and customary expenses, by the same token, some are not. This is especially true considering the national debt and the interest we pay on that debt, the decrease in tax revenue, the talk that tax increases are necessary, the general state of the economy, the amount borrowed each and every day just to keep the government running, and the well publicized and documented waste credited to the government.

Borrowing money for luxury living, and a luxurious lifestyle consisting of a total disregard for cost, especially when others are paying for it, and will be paying for it for decades to come, is neither right nor ethical. Also, this spending behavior is taking place while Mr. Obama, himself, has mentioned several times that "we" need to find ways to lift the poor and less fortunate from the grips of poverty. Is that "talking out of both sides of one's mouth"? How many "John Q. Publics" would live a luxurious lifestyle on borrowed money, and force others to pay that debt? Would it be considered as right and ethical to do so? If so, by who's standard?

What is "normal"?

How do Obama expenditures compare to previous Presidents? In almost every analysis Obama is spending the same or less than his predecessors

Now we all know that Republicans would never hold Obama to a different standard because he is black. But what would be their reason?

I have absolutely no idea as to what Republicans would or wouldn't do concerning Mr. Obama and his wife. I couldn't care less what they would think. I'm not a Republican nor a Democrat, I don't play party politics. Also, what other presidents and first families have or have not done is not the point of the root article. But, yes, all of them have been wasteful and have taken advantage of taxpayers' hard earned tax dollars.

What's normal, you ask? To me, normal is taking vacations like everyone else takes. Take two or three weeks a year to relax with family and have a great time. But, very expensive year-round travel, spending other peoples' money, borrow money at that, is not normal, by any standard. The Obama's are not just going on vacations and making official necessary trips, they are going to the extreme.

OK

So the Obamas take a ten day vacation at Christmas and another ten day vacation in August

What is extreme about that?

This is March.

This is not a vacation, the First Lady is making official visits

 

[Mr Natural]

Holy Shit!

That comes out to less than a penny per taxpayer.

 

[Sonny Clark]

It's not so much the $80,000, it's the cumulative amount over the years that's eye opening. It's the collective sum of all expenses, and not just one occurrence that's in question. In other words, a little here, a little there, soon adds up to big numbers. While some may be normal, expected, and the usual and customary expenses, by the same token, some are not. This is especially true considering the national debt and the interest we pay on that debt, the decrease in tax revenue, the talk that tax increases are necessary, the general state of the economy, the amount borrowed each and every day just to keep the government running, and the well publicized and documented waste credited to the government.

Borrowing money for luxury living, and a luxurious lifestyle consisting of a total disregard for cost, especially when others are paying for it, and will be paying for it for decades to come, is neither right nor ethical. Also, this spending behavior is taking place while Mr. Obama, himself, has mentioned several times that "we" need to find ways to lift the poor and less fortunate from the grips of poverty. Is that "talking out of both sides of one's mouth"? How many "John Q. Publics" would live a luxurious lifestyle on borrowed money, and force others to pay that debt? Would it be considered as right and ethical to do so? If so, by who's standard?

What is "normal"?

How do Obama expenditures compare to previous Presidents? In almost every analysis Obama is spending the same or less than his predecessors

Now we all know that Republicans would never hold Obama to a different standard because he is black. But what would be their reason?

I have absolutely no idea as to what Republicans would or wouldn't do concerning Mr. Obama and his wife. I couldn't care less what they would think. I'm not a Republican nor a Democrat, I don't play party politics. Also, what other presidents and first families have or have not done is not the point of the root article. But, yes, all of them have been wasteful and have taken advantage of taxpayers' hard earned tax dollars.

What's normal, you ask? To me, normal is taking vacations like everyone else takes. Take two or three weeks a year to relax with family and have a great time. But, very expensive year-round travel, spending other peoples' money, borrow money at that, is not normal, by any standard. The Obama's are not just going on vacations and making official necessary trips, they are going to the extreme.

OK

So the Obamas take a ten day vacation at Christmas and another ten day vacation in August

What is extreme about that?

This is March.

This is not a vacation, the First Lady is making official visits

Hoping to accomplish what exactly? And, does the cost justify the results?

 

[rightwinger]

80,000 sounds like a bargain. Imagine what it would have cost if we flew our own cars over their. What does it cost to fly a few of those big cargo planes to the other side of the globe?

This is just the cost of rental cars for a number of days in Japan. This doesn't include travel, lodging expenses, security, cost of fuel. This is one single item. The rental car or cars. $80,000.

I expect she'll claim she paid for this herself, but that would be impossible. Her tax returns shows they can't afford such extravagance.

The trip is costing a hell of a lot more than $80,000

But that is the cost of diplomacy and maintaining international relations

What relations? We're hated world over. We've lost the respect we once enjoyed with many of our foreign friends and allies. Every country wants to see us collapse economically, and as a military super power. What will expense trips my Mrs. Obama accomplish concerning world friendships? How many friends do we have in Southeast Asia, the Middle East, in Europe? How many relationships have we damaged? How much money have we given them in foreign aid? How much military support have we given them? And, now, we have to make expensive visits? Pleeeeease

Got me fooled

Michelle Obama is treated like a rock star when she visits foreign countries

 

[Sonny Clark]

Holy Shit!

That comes out to less than a penny per taxpayer.

The cumulative over the past six years? Are you including golf, and the individual trips made by Mrs. Obama and the girls?

 

[Moonglow]

80,000 sounds like a bargain. Imagine what it would have cost if we flew our own cars over their. What does it cost to fly a few of those big cargo planes to the other side of the globe?

This is just the cost of rental cars for a number of days in Japan. This doesn't include travel, lodging expenses, security, cost of fuel. This is one single item. The rental car or cars. $80,000.

I expect she'll claim she paid for this herself, but that would be impossible. Her tax returns shows they can't afford such extravagance.

The trip is costing a hell of a lot more than $80,000

But that is the cost of diplomacy and maintaining international relations

What relations? We're hated world over. We've lost the respect we once enjoyed with many of our foreign friends and allies. Every country wants to see us collapse economically, and as a military super power. What will expense trips my Mrs. Obama accomplish concerning world friendships? How many friends do we have in Southeast Asia, the Middle East, in Europe? How many relationships have we damaged? How much money have we given them in foreign aid? How much military support have we given them? And, now, we have to make expensive visits? Pleeeeease

Got me fooled

Michelle Obama is treated like a rock star when she visits foreign countries

Why did Pat Nixon need to go to China?

 

[rightwinger]

What is "normal"?

How do Obama expenditures compare to previous Presidents? In almost every analysis Obama is spending the same or less than his predecessors

Now we all know that Republicans would never hold Obama to a different standard because he is black. But what would be their reason?

I have absolutely no idea as to what Republicans would or wouldn't do concerning Mr. Obama and his wife. I couldn't care less what they would think. I'm not a Republican nor a Democrat, I don't play party politics. Also, what other presidents and first families have or have not done is not the point of the root article. But, yes, all of them have been wasteful and have taken advantage of taxpayers' hard earned tax dollars.

What's normal, you ask? To me, normal is taking vacations like everyone else takes. Take two or three weeks a year to relax with family and have a great time. But, very expensive year-round travel, spending other peoples' money, borrow money at that, is not normal, by any standard. The Obama's are not just going on vacations and making official necessary trips, they are going to the extreme.

OK

So the Obamas take a ten day vacation at Christmas and another ten day vacation in August

What is extreme about that?

This is March.

This is not a vacation, the First Lady is making official visits

Hoping to accomplish what exactly? And, does the cost justify the results?

International relations, education opportunities, improved ties with Japan

It is more justified than Netanyahus visit to Washington

 

[Moonglow]

Holy Shit!

That comes out to less than a penny per taxpayer.

The cumulative over the past six years? Are you including golf, and the individual trips made by Mrs. Obama and the girls?

Private use is paid for by the Oblama's or out of their expense account..It's the same for every president..

 

[Moonglow]

Why was it okay for repub first ladies to travel, but not Oblama's?

 

[Mr Natural]

Holy Shit!

That comes out to less than a penny per taxpayer.

The cumulative over the past six years? Are you including golf, and the individual trips made by Mrs. Obama and the girls?

You're right!

It could be as much as a quarter!

Holy shit, Impeach the bastards!

 

[Sonny Clark]

I have absolutely no idea as to what Republicans would or wouldn't do concerning Mr. Obama and his wife. I couldn't care less what they would think. I'm not a Republican nor a Democrat, I don't play party politics. Also, what other presidents and first families have or have not done is not the point of the root article. But, yes, all of them have been wasteful and have taken advantage of taxpayers' hard earned tax dollars.

What's normal, you ask? To me, normal is taking vacations like everyone else takes. Take two or three weeks a year to relax with family and have a great time. But, very expensive year-round travel, spending other peoples' money, borrow money at that, is not normal, by any standard. The Obama's are not just going on vacations and making official necessary trips, they are going to the extreme.

OK

So the Obamas take a ten day vacation at Christmas and another ten day vacation in August

What is extreme about that?

This is March.

This is not a vacation, the First Lady is making official visits

Hoping to accomplish what exactly? And, does the cost justify the results?

International relations, education opportunities, improved ties with Japan

It is more justified than Netanyahus visit to Washington

So, we have to continue to suck up to them in order to be friends? We have to spend enormous amounts of money in order to be in their favor? Pleeeeeeease. Sorry, that boat doesn't float. And, exactly what qualifies Mrs. Obama as a diplomat and foreign relations expert?

 

[AceRothstein]

What relations? We're hated world over. We've lost the respect we once enjoyed with many of our foreign friends and allies. Every country wants to see us collapse economically, and as a military super power.

Do you have any evidence of this? Every poll I've seen shows we're much more respected now than we were in 2008 outside of a few countries.

Gee, what a surprise to hear that. Well, my evidence is many articles that I've read over the past 15 years. I could research the pieces if it's that important to you.

You're the one who made the claim without backing it up with evidence...