[Rambo]

I appologize for the untoward comment directed at the First Lady. It was done in jest. I'm at a loss as to the issue of how many staff the First Lady or the President have. Unless they ran on some kind of issue of wanting to thin out the White House staff, who cares? They got into the White House and are going to live accordingly. That's what everyone does when they get there, right? Live off of our money? That's the perks. Get yourself elected and do the same, or not.

[LarryO1970]

... the question I have as a comparative ... is how many 'aides' did the other first lady's have? Until we know that ...

Larry O

[Big Dog]

Doesn't bobo have a 'czar' that is supposed to be looking at whether certain things are neccessary? Does michelle really NEED 26 aides? Is this money well spent or another typical case of elitist wasteful spending?

I guess when you are accustomed to handling TRILLIONS of dollars, a few million spent for her 'aides' is just a drop in the bucket.......

[Deersniper]

That money would feed a lot of hungry children right here in this country.

[TACAV]

Before I pass comment, to be fair I would like to know how many private and personal aids previous first ladies have had.

[Cyrano]

Quote:       Originally Posted by Rambo

Hmmm, a black woman with servants. This surely is the land of opportunity. I wonder if they have to call her "Massa"?

No, they'd have to call her "Miz," as in "Miz Scarlett." Gender specific, you know.

[knightRider]

You guys don't have 26 people to get you ready everyday.
Damn I feel all strange now.

Maid fetch me my strange outfit. NOW WENCH

[Cyrano]

Quote:       Originally Posted by Rambo

Unless they ran on some kind of issue of wanting to thin out the White House staff, who cares? They got into the White House and are going to live accordingly. That's what everyone does when they get there, right? Live off of our money? That's the perks. Get yourself elected and do the same, or not.

One thing an article on how the White House is run on the housekeeping side (as opposed to the political/governmental side) brought up is that according whatever the equivalent of the hotel manager is called there that always takes a new President by surprise is that he has to pay for the First Family's food out of his own salary. He actually has to sit down and write a check to the White House every month for what they eat! The yankee gummint picks up the tab for running the place, for security and for any official state dinners that the President throws; but for the meals consumed en famille, the President foots the bill.

I'm not sure when this began - could go back to John Adams, for all I know. I do know it was reported that Obama couldn't believe it when the majordomo or whatever he's called presented him with the first bill; he thought that free food was a perq you get for being president. It isn't.

I think the idea behind paying for your food when you are the Chief Executive is to keep the President aware that he is not a sovereign monarch; to keep him in touch with the People, most of whom have to buy their own food out of the money they make. Even the Royal Family of Great Britain has stipends they live on and they have to pay household expenses out of them, an ongoing source of irritation between the Royals (who naturally enough want larger stipends) and Parliament (which has a small but vocal minority that thinks the Royals ought to pay their own way with no government support).

Maybe it was then that it started to dawn on Obama that being President is actually a JOB and not some kind of public relations acting gig. I'm still not sure he fully understands that.

[TACAV]

Quote:       Originally Posted by Cyrano

One thing an article on how the White House is run on the housekeeping side (as opposed to the political/governmental side) brought up is that according whatever the equivalent of the hotel manager is called there that always takes a new President by surprise is that he has to pay for the First Family's food out of his own salary. He actually has to sit down and write a check to the White House every month for what they eat! The yankee gummint picks up the tab for running the place, for security and for any official state dinners that the President throws; but for the meals consumed en famille, the President foots the bill. I'm not sure when this began - could go back to John Adams, for all I know. I do know it was reported that Obama couldn't believe it when the majordomo or whatever he's called presented him with the first bill; he thought that free food was a perq you get for being president. It isn't. I think the idea behind paying for your food when you are the Chief Executive is to keep the President aware that he is not a sovereign monarch; to keep him in touch with the People, most of whom have to buy their own food out of the money they make. Even the Royal Family of Great Britain has stipends they live on and they have to pay household expenses out of them, an ongoing source of irritation between the Royals (who naturally enough want larger stipends) and Parliament (which has a small but vocal minority that thinks the Royals ought to pay their own way with no government support). Maybe it was then that it started to dawn on Obama that being President is actually a JOB and not some kind of public relations acting gig. I'm still not sure he fully understands that.

I didnt know that either, interesting... I like it.. I wonder if the President pays the cost of the food itself or more due to the special chefs that prepare it.

Well when I make half a million a year and dont have to pay for gas and other living expenses and someone gets to clean my house I would think that paying for food would be more than fair... What a deal!

[Cyrano]

I'm not sure, TACAV, but I think at least part of the chefs' wages must be involved. I seem to remember that Obama nearly had kittens when the first month's bill was over $5,000.

[SwedeSteve]

Evidently they aren't eating enough fish sticks !!

[Winchester1894]

Pretending the staff of the Office of the First Lady of the United States are all just personal servants who scrub her back, do her hair and paint her fingernails for her is kind of low.

Wikipedia says, "The First Lady of the United States is accountable to the laws for her to carry out her duties as hostess of the White House, and is also in charge of all social and ceremonial events of the White House. The First Lady has her own staff that includes the White House Social Secretary, a Chief of Staff, Press Secretary, Chief Floral Designer, Executive Chef, etc. The Office of the First Lady is an entity of the White House Office, part of the Executive Office of the President[1]."

Laura Bush had 26 staffers working for her. LBJ's wife had 30 staffers. Mr's Ford had about the same number. Jackie Kennedy had about 40, because she was renovating the White House.

If this thread is everyone's idea of lighthearted and civil and no political topics, you can have this place. I'll go look for people online who don't try to stuff political propaganda down my throat every time I turn around.

[BaserRonin]

Quote:       Originally Posted by Winchester1894

Pretending the staff of the Office of the First Lady of the United States are all just personal servants who scrub her back, do her hair and paint her fingernails for her is kind of low. Wikipedia says, "The First Lady of the United States is accountable to the laws for her to carry out her duties as hostess of the White House, and is also in charge of all social and ceremonial events of the White House. The First Lady has her own staff that includes the White House Social Secretary, a Chief of Staff, Press Secretary, Chief Floral Designer, Executive Chef, etc. The Office of the First Lady is an entity of the White House Office, part of the Executive Office of the President[1]." Laura Bush had 26 staffers working for her. LBJ's wife had 30 staffers. Mr's Ford had about the same number. Jackie Kennedy had about 40, because she was renovating the White House. If this thread is everyone's idea of lighthearted and civil and no political topics, you can have this place. I'll go look for people online who don't try to stuff political propaganda down my throat every time I turn around.

Mixed in to this trolling rant is actually the answer to post #25! Thanks. You really should cite your sources though...