Examples of waste for

NB who keeps saying the government doesn't waste much money.



Greta Van Susteren
4 hrs · Edited ·
You won't believe this one -- actually, you will because this kind of stupid stuff by our government does not stop. You just paid for a study as to why Homeland Security employees have low morale. Really? taxpayer money for a study why government employees don't like their jobs?
But it gets even worse....Department of Homeland was stumped by the FIRST study and did TWO more of the same! Who authorizes this stuff???
See below...and post your comment.
----
"Afflicted with the lowest morale of any large federal agency, the Department of Homeland Security did what comes naturally to many in government.
It decided to study the problem. And then study it some more.
The first study cost about $1 million. When it was finished, it was put in a drawer. The next one cost less but duplicated the first. It also ended up in a drawer..." [Washington Post today]
But it gets worse:
"...So last year, still stumped about why the employees charged with safeguarding Americans are so unhappy, the department commissioned two more studies...."
---
http://www.washingtonpost.com/…/f626eba8-b15c-11e4-886b-c22…

Video says to reduce Obama's "Carbon Footprint", Air Force 1 should be used for official business only. Run the time bar up to two-minutes into it, to skip everything we already know about The Won's vacations with his dog and many friends:

Good find, NH. I would like everybody in the country to watch that video. Now some will say it is fine like NB, but I bet a lot of people-even Obama lovers- would not be happy about that. And he travels on our "dime" to promoted Dems.? Since when is that legal? But of course this President does whatever he wants-and gets away with it, just like the Clintons.

The most outlandish waste of the taxpayer's dime is the Republican controlled Congress!

News Buzzard wrote:The most outlandish waste of the taxpayer's dime is the Republican controlled Congress!

The entire Congress could get to Hawaii for much less than Air Force One's load...!




.

Yes. Just heard that AGAIN- Obama's last Hawaii vacation cost us- the taxpayers over 7 million dollars!!!

Tens of millions spent on 38 Obama holidays


The first family, Michelle Obama fresh from her annual Aspen ski vacation with her daughters, and President Obama back from a weekend of golf in sunny Palm Springs, Calif., have spent tens of millions in tax dollars to vacation, and they still have two more years to go, according to an accounting of their trips.

As the first lady readies for a trip to Japan and Cambodia this month, Secrets calculated that the first family has racked up 38 holidays, working vacations, and fun trips like a date night in New York. They are on par to take at least 45 holidays before leaving office.

First lady Michelle Obama with her daughters, Sasha and Malia, in China last year. Costs are hard to pin down, and most come as a result of Freedom of Information Act suits from taxpayer watchdog Judicial Watch which pegged the Obama-Biden vacation tab at $40 million last year. That was before first lady and daughters took spring break in China, and the first family's annual summer vacation in Martha's Vineyard, Christmas in Hawaii, and this year's holidays.

For just a handful of trips, the Air Force and Department of Homeland Security have complied with the FOIA cases, but the costs of security, prepositioning of aircraft, staff housing and transportation and communications are typically not disclosed and are always covered by the government for every single president.

For example, Judicial Watch FOIA suits for just two vacations in 2013 produced flight costs of $5,250,624. But undisclosed are, for example, the costs of a trip to China last year by Michelle, her mom Marian Robinson and daughter Sasha and Malia.

Fishing guide Dan Vermillion reacts as President Obama almost hooks a trout in August 2009. (Official White House photo by Pete Souza) "The Obamas are abusing the public trust and the taxpayers with unnecessary luxurious vacations and travel," Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton said in releasing those details of flight charges to Martha's Vineyard and Hawaii. "These staggering costs show why these documents were covered up and we had to sue in federal court to get them. Another transparency fail for the Obama gang."

The White House argues that personal costs are covered by the first family, but critics say that those costs are a miniscule amount of any trip. And critics of stories like this one argue that presidents need to take breaks and their work never ends, even on holiday.

While former President George W. Bush took more vacation days than the estimated 175 by the Obamas, critics slap Obama because most of Bush's vacations were taken at his ranch in Texas, not the lavish digs he prefers in places like Hawaii and Martha's Vineyard, Mass. He has also criticized the rich.

CBS White House Reporter Mark Knoller, the unofficial presidential record keeper, calculates that the president has taken 22 vacation trips spanning all or part of 160 days.

First couple leaving Marine One to hop on Air Force One for a date night to New York in May 2009. (AP Photo) Our number is adjusted to include separate trips by the first lady and their daughters, Sasha and Malia, as well as quick trips like their May 30, 2009 date night to New York City and last year's trip to New York to attend the wedding of former personal chef Sam Kass.

What's more, White House reporters told Secrets that some trips by the first lady and daughters are kept secret from the media, so a full accounting is difficult.

First lady, her mother and daughters visit the Eiffel Tower in June 2009. Our list below also omits the many dozens of days the president spent golfing, about 220 since taking office.

2009 Feb. 13-16, the first family travels to Chicago. President plays some basketball and takes Michelle out for Valentine's Day dinner at a restaurant run by one of Oprah's former personal chefs.

May 30, the first couple travel to NYC for a date night where they saw "Joe Turner's Come and Gone."

June 3-9, on a working trip to the Middle East and Europe, the Obama family takes in the sights, including a visit to the Eiffel Tower in Paris.

Michelle Obama and her girls stay behind to continue their vacation.

In 2009, the Obamas visited Old Faithful in Yellowstone National Park. (AP Photo) August 14-16, the president goes fly fishing in Montana. He didn't catch any but caught on to casting fast.

They family continued on to Yellowstone National Park and other sights.

August 23-30, the Obama's start their first vacation on Martha's Vineyard, Mass., staying in an oceanfront home that rents for more than $35,000 a week.

Dec. 24-Jan. 3, the first Obama presidential Christmas in Hawaii where they stayed in an $8.9 million home.

2010 March 20-24, Michelle, Sasha, Malia, mom Marian Robinson and some pals to New York City for Broadway shows, a tour of the Empire State Building lunch at the Russian Tea Room.

President Obama and first lady Michelle Obama take a boat tour of Frenchman Bay in Bar Harbor. (AP Photo) April 23–25, President and Mrs. Obama in Asheville, N.C. for a weekend holiday.

May 27-31, Obama skipped the traditional Memorial Day speech at Arlington National Cemetery and traveled home to Chicago. He spoke instead at a smaller military cemetery.

July 17-18, a family vacation with first pup Bo in Bar Harbor, Maine.

August 4-8, Michelle Obama, daughter Sasha and an entourage travel to Spain. Judicial Watch pegged the cost at $467,000.

August 3-4, Obama in Chicago alone to celebrate his 49th birthday.

August 14-15, the first family vacations on Florida's Gulf Coast to show support for locals hit by the BP oil spill.

Obama, left, and his daughter Malia, front right, ride bicycles along a path on the island of Martha's Vineyard, in August 2010. (AP Photo) August 19-29, the first family is in Martha's Vineyard for their second summer vacation.

Dec. 23-Jan. 2 in Hawaii for their second presidential Christmas vacation in a $3,500 a night home.

2011 Feb. 19-21, Michelle, Sasha and Malia travel to Vail to ski and hit a restaurant that served pickled pumpkin salad and braised ancho-chile short rib.

March 21-25, Obama, Michelle, Sasha and Malia, on spring break, on a working vacation to Latin America were the girls took in Rio's Christ the Redeemer statue.

Aug. 16-28, for the first family's third summer vacation on Marthas Vineyard.

Dec. 23-Jan. 2 in Hawaii for Christmas and a 10-day break.

2012 Feb. 17-19, Michelle and her daughters traveled to Aspen to ski.

Michelle Obama skis in Colorado in 2012. (AP Photo) March, Malia traveled to Mexico with friends. Judicial Watch said basic costs totaled $115,500.

Dec. 22-26 the Obama's spend Christmas in Hawaii. The president cut his part short to return home to negotiate the "fiscal cliff" with Congress.

2013 Feb. 15-18, Michelle Obama and her two daughters ski in Aspen, Co.

Feb. 16-18, President Obama flew to Palm Springs, Ca., for three days of golf.

March 2013, Sasha and Malia Obama were vacationing at the Atlantis resort on Paradise Island in the Bahamas.

June 17-18, while the president was at a summit in Ireland, Michelle and her daughters did some sightseeing that cost an additional $251,000, according to Judicial Watch.

Michelle Obama's mother, Marian Robinson, takes a bow after they danced with children during a visit to the Emthonjeni Community Center in Zandspruit Township, Johannesburg. (AP Photo) June 26–July 2, Michelle toured African nations with Sasha and Malia after meeting up with president.

Obama reacts as he misses a shot while golfing on the island of Martha's Vineyard in 2013. (AP Photo) Aug. 10-18, the fourth summer vacation in Martha's Vineyard.

Obama with a shaved ice treat while vacationing in Hawaii last Christmas. (AP Photo) Dec. 20-Jan. 6, for 17 days in Hawaii for Christmas.

2014 Feb. 14-17, Michelle Obama with daughters Sasha and Malia for a ski vacation in Aspen, Co.

Feb. 14-16, Obama golfed in Palm Springs, Ca. and also met with King Abdullah II of Jordan. Judicial Watch said the flight cost was $2,066,594.

March 8-9, the president and first lady traveled to Key Largo, Fla., for a golfing vacation.

March 19-26, Michelle Obama, her mom and daughter Sasha and Malia spend a spring break in China.

Aug. 9-24, the first family their fifth summer vacation on Martha's Vineyard, staying in a seven-bedroom, 9-bathroom, 8,100-square-foot home they rented by the Vineyard Sound.

August 30, the president makes a special trip to New York to attend the wedding of his family's former personal chef, Sam Kass.

Dec. 19-21, a 17-day Christmas vacation in Hawaii

2015 Feb. 14-16, Michelle Obama and daughters ski in Aspen, Co.

Feb. 15-17, President Obama traveled again to Palm Springs for a boys weekend of golf.
Washington Examiner

Michelle Obama Riverdances Through Dublin to the Tune of $7,921,638

http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Peace/2014/04/16/Michelle-Obama-Riverdances-through-Dublin-Helps-Rack-Up-7-921-638-66-Vacation-Tab-For-Taxpayers

(Not mentioned above).

And yet he hates the capitalistic society that America is SUPPOSED to be. He sure love the percs he gets doesn't he. Again, he is a big hypocrite. He has become a jet setter, let's face it, yet he hates the very people who have enough money to be jet setters. Guess it is ok for him, just not for others.

Does this surprise anyone?



http://freebeacon.com/issues/feds-have-social-security-numbers-for-6-5-million-112-year-olds-on-file/

More proof for NB that there IS terrible waste in our government. Maybe someday he will figure out government doesn't do it better.

All of our presidents and their families do expensive vacations, but now all of a sudden the right wing is incensed over Obama's vacations.

How about spending six trillion on Afghanistan and Iraq? How many millions is six trillion???    

That wasn't for private use, all Obama's vacations were.

News Buzzard wrote:"...All of our presidents and their families do expensive vacations..."

The article reports that millions of Social Security benefits are going to recipients who claim to be over 112 years old. (And to relatives of those who haven't filed death certificates for their deceased elders).

The Social Security Administration (SSA) has 6.5 million Social Security Numbers for 112 year olds on file, allowing for “thousands of instances of potential identity theft” or fraud, the Office of Inspector General (OIG) warns.

“One SSN appeared on 613 different suspended wage reports, and 194 additional SSNs appeared on at least 50 suspended wage reports that SSA received during this 6-year period,” the OIG said. “Individuals can commit various types of fraud against the government by reporting earnings under deceased individuals’ SSNs.”

As of September 2014, the SSA was still issuing benefit payments to 266 people who were using a SSN that said they were born before June 16, 1901.

These are the known Entitlement fraudsters! (Of a very narrow class—how about those in their 90s?)

Then there's the loss of $2 Billion annually to Medicare fraud in one Florida county!

Yup. Government does it best...that's what Socialist "True Believers" will have us believe...

WHL wrote:That wasn't for private use,  all Obama's vacations were.

All of the president's vacations are for private use, so what's your point?

You compared Obama's vacation to war. War is not private use.

WHL wrote:You compared Obama's vacation to war.   War is not private use.

Ok, then let me ask you this? Do you think presidents and their families should not be allowed vacations? George Bush (43) took almost twice as much vacation as Obama, so do you consider Bush's spending on vacations to be wasteful, or do you give Bush a pass because he is a Republican?

News Buzzard wrote: George Bush (43) took almost twice as much vacation as Obama, so do you consider Bush's spending on vacations to be wasteful, or do you give Bush a pass because he is a Republican?

Bush generally went HOME for vacation and reported worked a good deal of the time.  He gave up golf as well.

Bush’s vacations–unlike Obama’s–were not lavishand his family go on separate vacations.  

Personally I wish Obama spent more time on vacation as it seems to cost this country more when he is “working.”

Take a ride to Kennebunkport some time and watch the security protocol for the Bush family to just go out on their boat, and if you spent any time in Wolfeboro during the 2012 campaign season you would have seen Secret Service and Coast Guard occupying every lodging room in town, just to protect a guy who never even became President! Romney even cost Wolfeboro taxpayers an extra $25 thousand in police overtime. Do you think the feds reimbursed us for that? This is just more baseless whining about Obama!!

OMG, and the secret service doesn't do the same for all presidential candidates? I am sure you think it was ok for them to take care of him. You are so one sided, it is pathetic.

And Outer is right, Bush's vacations didn't cost even close to Obama's. And he didn't take one plane for him and one plane for Laura and one plane for the dog.

WHL wrote:OMG, and the secret service doesn't do the same for all presidential candidates?

Of course they do, and that's why I wonder why you single out Obama. Bush spent half his time in Crawford, so the Secret Service had to completely staff Crawford and the White House for his entire 8 years. I dare you to find me a post where I ever complained about that!!

I was referring to your very recent post about Romney!!

WHL wrote:I was referring to your very recent post about Romney!!

So you can't find any post I made where I complained about all of Bush's Secret Service protection? You don't think it's a waste for the Secret Service to be spending their careers at Crawford? How do you define waste in these matters, or do you just want to continually complain about Obama?

News Buzzard wrote:"...Bush spent half his time in Crawford, so the Secret Service had to completely staff Crawford and the White House for his entire 8 years...

Bush spent the other half of "off-time" at the official Presidential "White House residence"—Camp David. A "retreat" established by FDR, although it's been kept in readiness for Obama these past eight years...Obama has seldom seen it.




.

The FCC, a Government Agency, has finally printed for public viewing the changes to the Internet it announced last week.



Too bad their website can't handle the many "communications" it promised on-line.



Did they hire the same outfit that opened Obamacare?

They must need more money?




.