So the government has increased its limo fleet by 78% since the current administration took office. According to CBS News, the government says the purchases are justified as “an enhanced effort to protect diplomats and other government officials in a dangerous world." I can understand that – this is a dangerous world and who would want our guests to be in danger while driving around in rental cars, or some privately operated livery service.
We go from 238 limos at the start of the administration to 412 at the end of last year – 174 new cars.
This fits in well with the Keynesian philosophy of our government. If Uncle Sam buys more cars, then it’s all good because racking up deficit spending helps restart our economy. Let’s think this out a second. 174 new cars, bought on credit, when you can’t pay the debts you already have… I’d love to see what my banks say to me buying a few new cars without having the income to pay for them!
The good news is most of these 174 cars are American cars – how patriotic! According to Fox News, the vehicle of choice: the Cadillac CTS. Nice choice for limo service – comfortable, classy, etc. Also quite convenient considering the government has a controlling interest in General Motors.
But my biggest curiosity is this: Why buy more limousines when the administration’s track record for hospitality has more dings in it than the limos in the fleet?
This past February, Mr. Obama’s staff escorted the Dalai Lama out the back door of the White House, past the trash pile to get to his car. In September of last year, the family of a Medal of Honor recipient was snubbed when it requested a tour of the White House. How about the rub given to the Canadian Prime Minister who was greeted by a deputy chief of protocol, instead of the President himself greeting him on the West Portico? I’m sure there are several more similar faux pas, but I figured this was enough to show my point.
The way I see it, driving guests around in nice cars is a nice thing, and probably something we should do for many reasons. I just think buying more cars should be the last consideration for this administration. Maybe the money would have been better spent on etiquette training for the White House staffers responsible for hosting our dignitaries. It seems to be needed.
Your thoughts and comments invited!
2 comments:
One thing Obama did no do is backrupt our country. I think the GOP had alot to do with it.
Dad
Well, I don't think the government can go bankrupt, at least not in the same way individuals and companies can. But he (or should I say his policies) have significantly harmed our economy and financial security as a nation.
Take the price of gold as an example of currency value. We all know the dollar is not fixed to gold anymore, that its value is free floating. But, you can still tell how valuable the dollar is considering how much gold you can buy with it.
One ounce of gold closed today at just about $1532. In 2009, around the start of this presidency, the price of gold was almost half of that - around $871 an ounce. Arguably, it is possible that gold is more valuable. But I think the rapid upswing in gold's price is because our dollar is much weaker than it was when this administration took over.
You can't spend what you don't have. You can't borrow yourself out of debt. You can't expect that just printing more greenbacks will solve anything. All that happens is the dollar gets weak and what we earn isn't worth what it should be.
Maybe not bankrupt, but surely devalued significantly!
June 2, 2011 11:33 PM
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