The Obama Family Vacation

Reader Comments
Back to blog

Bush over did it. Many republicans concede to that. His office was in the WhHite House, but he stayed as much to Crawford. We did not like it. There was nothing we could do about it, just like we cannot now. The American people feel they have lost their voice and for those that does vocalize, it is ignored. In fact, critized. It seems all these presdential candidates do all they can do to get elected, get there and then they not want to stay there. Most Americans would relish one night of that kind of life. BUT Obama is the one that campaigned on "CHANGE" and his wife is the one that was marketed in the media as "frugal". Well, her frugal is still more than I can affored and that is fine. Our First Lady should be comfortable. I am smart enough to know that a President is considered royalty in our country and really never vacations. But they both wanted him to have the job real bad. So, he got it. They have, costed us so much money on "vacations" that they average person living from week to week, working 2 jobs just trying to buy the groceries cannot comprehend it. THis was to be the era of CHANGE from the bad "last eight years". So now voters expect him to live up to it. They are tired of date nights to New York, family nights with the WHite House having to entertain entertainers, golf, vacations to Europe, Martha's Vineyard, Bo birthday parties, and now Hawaii. WHere they had just gone in Dec of 2008. I am sure there were alot of official functions as well as a half million dollar state dinner. Much of this is necessary but many people are hurting and it is like rubbing salt in a wound. The campiagn made promises and no one is forgetting them. Everyone in this country has been generous to our Presidents. Well, wants them not be anything but blessed, healthy and happy .You crowd came up with the theme of the campaign and you drove that message right on to a victory so now, live with it and live up to it.Because if you don't this President's legacy may not be as favorable as Bush's was with the democrats when he left. And this Pres wil be bound to be a one termer. Even if the Obamas pay for some expenses it doesn't compare to what they are costing us. And the people do not see how encouragement from the President to tighten our belts and make sacrfices is being practiced like it is preached. There are coming off as high maintence when a a time of recession, foreclosures and high umemployment in the face of taxpayers who are struggling.We will not even discuss how the voters feel about many of his intiatives and the defiecit on top of all this. It is not about BUSH anymore. And Americans is tired of the blame game. IT is old. It may of started in a prev administration but you were the one with the promises. Like Obama said, "I won". Now he needs to start listening to the AMerican people. Now they are saying Mr. Obama, you "CHANGE". You are the leader and the example. Nevertheless, may God Bless our President. Pls pray for him.

Darlene of NC 2:42AM January 01, 2010

The fact that the President's vacation is up for discussion is absurd. With all that is going on in this country, all that has landed in his lap and expected of him before he even took office. His grandmother died, and I suspect that his critics had something to say about him even taking time to bury her. He is a human being, not a machine. He was elected to turn the country around which entails trying to undo the mess that the well-vacationed President Bush created and ignored (no outrage from his critics there). The sooner some get over their biases about a black president, the sooner we will be able to focus on what our real issues are and try to find ways to contribute to the solutions. In order for anyone to be efficient in what they do, efforts should be made to get adequate time for family and rest. I don't know about you, but I would prefer a caring and responsive president, not a machine.

Ellen Ramsay of NY 6:38PM August 30, 2009

Cut this presidnet some slack about his vacation. Nothing is said by citizens when WASP presidents vacation on their compounds or go sailing on their boats. It's it a matter of citizen perception. Many are used to seeing blacks toil and work and then toil some more. That is a comforting image for some. Now imagine the toiler even though President of the United States) enjoying a vacation. It blows the old image, doesn't it?
Get over it and get used to seeing more.

MareeFromRochester of NY 2:18AM August 30, 2009

Bigs words is just extra air. Wow you so smart.
Name a single American in the entire USA that would be the most perfect president that none of you and us would have a blasted to complain about. Name just one.
Your current leader Obama is not the best, that's for sure. But with the world this crashing on his head, diplomacy, war, economic, social, reform, mistakes and so on.. you wouldn't give him one week vacation with his family? You just lost your humanity and citizenship.

Freud of MA 3:33PM August 28, 2009

Simply put, it boils down to perception. We are in a situation unlike anything our country has ever experienced or at least over the last six decades. So, what does our President decide to do? Fly him and his wife up to New York for a date or how about taking the entire family to an elitiest vacation spot. From his actions, you would think he cared about the perception. Do President's deserve to vaction, absolutely. I simply think this is a bad decision that slaps the faces of so many hard working american's who have lost jobs and are struggling. Sacrifices are needed from the top down, that is what a leader does in times of suffering. A $3500 swing set, I am sure his kids enjoy, is another example of poor decision manking. If he really did care about the little people, then he would have chosen a vacation spot that would communicate that message. Socialism is where everyone is equal and treated as such....oh, and then there is the ruling class. The system is broken and we are being led to the slaughter by both parties.

Edward Ralph Steven of WA 8:55PM August 26, 2009

President Obama has workeed so hard since being in office. Many have said he is trying to do too much. Better too much than too little, I think. For working so hard is reason enough for a vacation. He will be on call at all time, as other presidents in the past have been. When will people accept the fact that this president is no different than the others. So the American people should stop hating this man. Someone at a town hall meeting stated that she wanted "HER AMERICA" back and I think many are thinking along those lines.Get over it. "MY AMERICA" once meant separate and unequal, COLORED ONLY/WHITE ONLY, back of the bus, beaten by billy sticks, lynchings and the list goes on. Those days are over, so just accept the fact that Mr. Obama is in the house and should enjoy all the rights and privileges that have bestowed on presidents before him.

MS. Lola of WI 12:11PM August 26, 2009

I'm so sorry the two of you are so out of touch with mainstream thought and are too simple to see past your President's shortcomings. It must be a sad existence to merely go through life naive to the issues at hand and blindly follow an ideology that is flawed. You cannot possibly believe that his behaviour is justifiable in terms of vacationing in such luxurious means while America continues to crumble. Please tell me your ignorance does not permeate that deeply.

Reema of MD 8:41AM August 26, 2009