Last week President Obama was in Indiana, Florida, and Virginia to campaign for his stimulus bill. After such a grueling schedule and a tough three weeks he didn't want another weekend at Camp David but instead felt it was time to recharge with family and friends in Chicago. He's returning to the White House today and then will hit the campaign trail once again tomorrow. He will be in Colorado to sign his stimulus bill and then it is off to Arizona where he will begin campaigning for the all important next phase in his three legged plan to save the economy from catastrophe.
We understand the rigors of the campaign trail so the simple fact President Obama needed to unwind after all the travel is understandable. We fully expect the next couple of months could bring even more campaigning, more long weeks, and more need to find a place far removed from Washington DC to unwind. Perhaps Hawaii will once again be a focus for the First Family since it has been nearly two months since they've been able to embrace their family living there. (Keeping the Oval Office at tropic temperatures is comforting but it cannot replace the real thing.)
What the March 2006 Waxman Study revealed was the estimated cost per hour for Air Force One was $56,518 per hour with one cargo plane adding another $6,960 per hour as of 2002. The report used an adjusted for inflation estimate between 2000 and 2002 to arrive at the figures and did not consider the manpower or flight costs associated with advance teams to insure security, manpower costs for ground time, or other associated costs beyond those to operate the planes themselves. We'll let others reach for their calculators to determine improved estimates yet this money could be reinvested to cover important things like $100/lb steaks for the next big sporting event or $85 per bottle champagne to further celebrate with the Democratic Caucus as they continue to provide us with the next two legs of the three leg stool they are constructing to support our economy and save our jobs.
A very small portion could be invested to fund the monthly cost of $49 to pay for unlimited Internet based meetings through a company like GoToMeeting.com. This is where the real stress relief would come into play not only for our president but also for his family who may be left behind on some of the campaigning trips. Family separation can be reduced while overall improvements in lifestyle can be realized. We know this would not have been feasible under the Clinton Administration due to the technology at that time. We know this would not have been feasible under the Bush Administration due to President Bush's lack of ability when it came to using the technology. However, we know President Obama can run a Blackberry better than most and could easily adapt to Internet campaign meetings where audiences could feel as if they were right there with him.
The advantages to this far outweigh the disadvantages. Understanding all campaigning couldn't be replaced by this method of reaching out to us but by greatly reducing the number of trips per week it would do more for the health and well-being of the First Family and isn't that worth sacrificing some of the in-person appearances fellow citizens?
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There is no better time than now to support DownsizeDC's "Read the Bills Act"
Remember our history, not our modern traditions that are moving us toward representative democracy. Here is some recommended reading to help begin the stirring of our memory. Study these with friends and family as if you were studying the scriptures of your religion or the stats of your favorite sports team.
Thomas Jefferson's Account of the Declaration
Independence a Solemn Day by Richard Henry Lee
U.S. Constitution and Amendments
1828 Webster's Dictionary (learn the language of the founders)
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2008 by Gary Wood
Columnist, radio show host, and co-founder of Hear My Thunder.
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©2009 Gary Wood, all rights reserved. You must have written permission from the author in order to republish this work.
Published: Monday, February 16, 2009
Last modified: Monday, February 16, 2009
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Reader Comments:
Posted By: Kipper mathews
Date: 2009-02-17 01:25:29
..."estimated cost per hour for Air Force One was $56,518 per hour"
I saw on TV lately that Air Force One is actually 2 identical planes that fly everywhere at the same time. One for the President and one as a back-u / decoy. Then they also take with them 7 full sized tanker trucks filled with fuel. and fighter air support. Along with all the costs you mentioned above there is all the supplies and food for all the support people going with him
I wouldn't dobt it at all if the total cost was more in the $1/2 ml. range.
But then again he is the President of our country and needs to be protected with at least one back-up plan at all times, even on a domestic flight.