Recently there was a large uproar about Michelle Obama's vacation to Spain. Michelle spent an estimated $75,000 a day for the 5 days that she was there. Michell, her daughter and there entourage of friends staff and secret service agents occupied 60 rooms at a 5 star hotel. All expenses were paid by the U.S. tax payers (roughly $375,000).
By the end of the summer Michelle will have have enjoyed 8 of these lavish holidays. However most of the anger seems to be over the first lady's unwillingness to spend the money in the U.S. Giving the current economic times many believe that it would be nice if the money was spent in the U.S. to help American hotels and businesses. Not only would this help these businesses but it would put money back into circulation. Especially since president Obama insists on raising our taxes, we would be able to recoup some of the money back to the federal government.
I can understand the anger around the country. Although $375,000 may be a minuscule part of the federal budget, to the average American this is a lot of money. I cannot even fathom what it would be like to be able to just waist $375,000 on a whim. I do not begrudge anyone who has there own money to do so. Although it is the tax payers money and if you are going to keep raising the taxes you should be a little more frugal or at least spend the money in the U.S.
I am not big on vacationing anyway. I do travel a lot for Jiu-Jitsu tournaments. My idea of a vacation is having a week off of work to train at my BJJ school in Maryland. I would probably just train all day everyday. However I know wife wouldn't go for that. That's why I try to plan my vacations around my Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu the best I can. If I had the means I would let my wife and kids go on vacation where they want as well but as a politician you need to be conscious of the fact that it is not your money.