"Good Time" Obama

A few years ago, my family and I vacationed in Washington D.C. over the Memorial Day holiday.  Washington D.C. was fabulous.  It was clean, the people were friendly, and the sights and historical aspectmade me proud to be an American.  But the highlight was the Memorial Day service at the Capital.  I can't even describe the emotion attached to such a ceremony.  I will remember it to the day I die.

So I was confused when I heard today that Obama laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier (as required) and then went to play another 18 holes of golf on Memorial Day.  You may think this is insignificant and just another rant against Obama due to my strong distaste and dislike of the man and his policies.  I feel like his action is a view into this "country club" President's very soul.  Let me explain.

This president has played 70 rounds of golf so far in his presidency.  He has increased the limos in the White House administration by 73%.  He has had more State dinners in his initial two years than any president in modern times.  He plays basketball continuously.  He has taken several vacations.  The "unofficial" statistician Knoller, says that by the end of August, 2010, Obama will have taken nine vacation trips (48 days). Among the locations were Chicago (twice) and Asheville, N.C., for long weekends; Hawaii, a week and Martha's Vineyard for over two weeks.
In addition, by Knoller's count; the Obamas have enjoyed, at tax payer's expense, 33 gala night events away from the White House. Some are quasi-business related, but also include date nights with the first lady at the best restaurants in Washington, New York and Paris, and theater outings like the one in June they took to see Thurgood at the Kennedy Center. The Obamas have also stayed at Camp David for 14 visits to the presidential retreat for 32 days. Add up just these days and it totals 113 days. Then add in the 7 day trip to get the Nobel prize and the 39 days golfing which equals a total of 159 days out of the short 20 months (608 days) or over 26% of the time he has occupied the White House. This does not count the holidays and weekends that are family "non-working" days.

During the those same 20 months since Obama began his regime, the average American family has taken less that 21 days of vacation, IF they are employed.

Which brings me to my point.  Obama's vacations occurred during the BP oil spill, they took place during the horrific tornadoes in Alabama and Joplin, they took place while the unemployment rate is close to 10%, they took place while the American family is experiencing more foreclosures than any other time in recent history, he took vacations while gas prices and food prices have soared, he has taken all of these vacations while the economy is suffering terribly.

Yes, Obama deserves some down time.  Yes, Obama is on call no matter where he is.  However, he has played his cards and shown his soul by demonstrating his "messianic", royalty persona while the American citizen is hurting. Even more despicable was his action on Memorial Day when he disrespected the American soldier by serving himself with a game of golf.