UNBELIEVABLE- ABC News Hit Piece tries to compare Obama's presidental perks to Wall Street CEO perks

[TeamJordan23]

Obama's Perks: Private Jet, Chef Tax-Free
The President Gets $400,000 a Year Plus Plenty of Freebies
By SCOTT MAYEROWITZ
ABC NEWS Business Unit

Feb. 5, 2009—

America's CEOs are coming under fire these days not just for their hefty salaries but also for their use of private jets, limos with drivers and free trips to posh resorts.

But they aren't alone in living this lavish lifestyle -- the president of United States gets all these perks and more.

And unlike some of his Cabinet appointments, he doesn't have to pay taxes on these benefits.

It might be a bit of a stretch to compare today's corporate titans with the commander in chief, but some Wall Street bloggers clearly upset with President Obama's attempts to rein in executive pay are doing just that.

"Some accountability needs to be put in place. We won't have them kicking sand in the face of taxpayers any longer," said one private equity worker on Dealbreaker.com, a Wall Street gossip site and blog.

The president makes $400,000 a year, but hasn't received a raise from Congress since 2001. He also gets a $50,000 annual entertainment expense account (any unused money at the end of the year must go back to the Treasury.)

Then there is the use of two private jets, Boeing 747s better known as Air Force One. And of course the constant security details, drivers, a private chef, a country vacation estate and the rent-free use of a well-known, 132-room mansion called the White House.

The president also used to have a yacht, until Jimmy Carter sold it.

But not everything is a freebie for the president and his family.

The Obamas have to pay for all their own groceries, drinks, dry cleaning and even their toothpaste. All of those personal items get taken out of his salary. Granted, the private chef then prepares dinner using those groceries.

The president's salary and perks have come under the spotlight since Sen. Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., introduced a bill that would cap annual executive pay at companies receiving government bailout money at $400,000.

Corporate America quickly pointed out that while the president also only makes $400,000 a year, he gets all sorts of extra perks and doesn't have to pay taxes on them.

Full Article: http://abcnews.go.com/Business/CEOProfiles/Story?id=6806414&page=1

[Thrill]

1. Obama gets in office and all of a sudden there is something wrong with the perks a President gets

LOL. You can't make this stuff up

[Blue_Tires]

29. we have truly crossed over to bizarro world

but we all knew once Obama started to get serious about CEO salaries, they were going to fight back, and fight dirty

[Rosa Luxemburg]

63. ABC better take that back. Someone needs to ask why they didn't complain about Bush

I hope someone got ABC by the neck and squeezed hard

[WI_DEM]

2. But these same perks were just fine for Bush, who created this mess?

[The Hope Mobile]

45. Right!!!! And his SEVENTY SEVEN separate vacations during the 8

he held the office captive! Of course its OK for him! What were we thinkin??
:sarcasm:

[KakistocracyHater]

64. Republicans=sexist, egotistical, lying, hypocrital bigots

Yup! Same then, same now.

[Pirate Smile]

3. ABC did a hit piece yesterday which was completely based on the word of one

Republican Senator.

They are a piece of sh#$.

I can't remember now where I read about it yesterday or else I would link to it. ugghhhh.

[high density]

4. Is ABC News doing satire now?

LOL. Whining about AF1, chefs, and taxes. Do we really want the President of the United States spending time to cook food for his family? I'm pretty sure if we taxed all of the benefits of the office, every President would leave office indebted to the nation for tens, if not hundreds, of millions of dollars.

[Lost4words]

5. restore the Fairness in Broadcasting and port it over to cable and sat as well.

Lets see the media is owned and operated by rich folks, what side of the class war are they on I wonder?

[ericgtr]

6. Unfortunately this is what happens when Republicans win a spin war

Everyone is tuned in to hear what the Republicans say, because Obama is serving them up cocktails and trying to work with them. Look, I fully support everything Obama is doing and taking the high road is one of his best qualities. However, letting these fuckers walk all over him in every way will ruin him. Time to put his foot down and lead, even over the Republicans.

[marew]

8. Absolutely right!

[TwilightGardener]

7. WTF? What a President is entitled to and what a private industry CEO earns

are not in any way comparable--apples and oranges. I don't get the point of this at all.

[ejpoeta]

31. here is the BIG difference....

first of all... these companies have helped us into this economic crisis. and then they have gone to the taxpayers for a bailout. obama did not create this mess we are in. and he sure didn't ask for a bailout!!! if you ask me, i think we ought to be garnishing the wages of bush, cheney et al in his administration for the cost of the elective war in iraq not to mention their part in this economic mess.

[liberal N proud]

9. Over the fucking top

:nuke:

[pnwmom]

10. Fine, let them compare. Then compare the JOBS. Compare Obama to any CEO,

add up the salary and the perks vs. the responsibility, and Obama is vastly under-compensated.

[TeamJordan23]

12. Many CEOs make Obama's salary in ONE month - probably even more. nm

[Marrah_G]

11. ABC bashes a Democrat and sides with big business- News at 11.....

ABC is just as pathetic as ever.

[terisan]

13. No utility bills ! Servants! I guess it really can be a bubble. nt

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

14. This shit passes for journalism? Un-freakin-believable!

[BrklynLiberal]

15. The double standard of these repuke assholes is beyond mindboggling!!!!!

There just are no words..........

[WinkyDink]

16. And Obama gets free protection! And a private chef! And, oh, gets to SAVE the DA*N COUNTRY!

And he gets to read SECRET STUFF and all!

This has never happened before! Stop the presses!

[Renew Deal]

17. Jimmy Carter ruined all the fun.

:D

[depakid]

18. Why is that unbelievable?

Did anyone expect the American corporate media (its owners, editors, writers and "news" readers) to just up and change their stripes?

:rofl:


We haven't seen anything yet.

[Tennessee Gal]

19. Obama has used none of those "perks" since taking office.

He has not left Washington!

[Spoon]

23. Obama in Virginia today for retreat

Published: February 5, 2009

President Barack Obama travels to the Williamsburg area today to discuss issues with U.S. House Democrats during their annual retreat at the Kingsmill Resort & Spa in James City County.

The president is expected to fly into Newport News this afternoon and travel to the resort. He flies back to Washington this evening.

The conference at the Kingsmill is not open to the public.

House Democrats have gathered at the Kingsmill for three straight years. The 2007 conference, which came shortly after Democrats took over the House of Representatives, drew President George W. Bush, as well as former President Bill Clinton.

-- Andrew Cain

http://www.timesdispatch.com/rtd/news/state_regional/state_regional_govtpolitics/article/OBAM05_20090204-222613/198570/

[Thothmes]

58. Used a 747 to fly about 120 miles to Newport NewsVA

[firedupdem]

62. Good. I'm glad he used the safest thing smoking! n/t

[Thothmes]

65. Marine one could have easily made the trip

its as safe as the 747 and burns a whole hell of a lot less Jet A to get there. But than again it is not as an impressive photo op.

[firedupdem]

20. This country is something else. This man's life is on the line

every fucking day and he's responsible for fixing the bullshit they created and this is what the rich fuckers come up with?

[treestar]

66. Exactly, these effing CEOs make a ton more and have no

responsibility other than make as much money for themselves and the company as they can!

And their underlings work for them directly, unlike Congress!

[Ichingcarpenter]

21. This is the same asshole that pushed the lie on the $ for the inauguration

Media Matters has this guy on their radar and called him out on his lies before.
http://mediamatters.org/items/200901190004
http://newsgroups.derkeiler.com/Archive/Alt/alt.autos.toyota/2009-01/msg01770.html

[NYCGirl]

22. Note to morans at ABC: OBAMA IS WAY UNDERPAID! NT

[AngryAmish]

24. They should jail everyone involved in this piece

We cannot allow hate speech in Amerikkka.

[prolesunited]

41. That's ridiculous

I hope you are joking.

[Raine1967]

25. Opinion (Hit) Piece.

Pretending to be journalism. This article is a joke. It isn't reporting.

I predict Faux news will be quoting from it as tho is were fact by the end of the day.

[marshall]

26. They're all going to have to get used to being under a microscope

People are screaming about Congress taking their vacation/junket to Virginia, a stray comment about how hot it is in the Oval Office leads to screams about wasting energy, and on and on. People are used to having it all, or as much as they can get their hands on, and if they think they are going to have to tighten their belt they are going to expect their elected officials to do the same.

[Danger Mouse]

50. Don't tell me you actually think this hit piece is justifiable.

[marshall]

53. Justification sadly has nothing to do with it

It's all about perception.

[Bake]

27. I really don't think the President ought to be flying commercial ...

There's that whole "national security" thing.

Bake

[jberryhill]

44. He's probably on a no-fly list anyway, with the name Hussein and all /nt

[Bolo Boffin]

28. Two words: Security Needs

All of it, Camp David, the jets, the staff, all of it is necessary to maintain the security around the President. People have been known to shoot at the person in office, you know.

Corporate America is showing that the second part of that name is negotiable when you threaten their money.

[ChipperbackDemocrat]

38. You ain't lying there!

"Corporate America is showing that the second part of that name is negotiable when you threaten their money.

Corporate America: Made In China.

[spanone]

30. there's that damned 'librul media' again

:sarcasm:

[NatBurner]

36. right? they're sooo in the tank for obama

[AtomicKitten]

32. Unfortunately Claire McCaskill framed this by proposing CEO salaries match Obama's.

[KittyWampus]

33. With any luck, Jon Stewart will find this

[Jennicut]

34. Bararck did once say he finds washing the dishes to be relaxing

But can he cook?

Seriously, this is ultra ridiculous. The prez has these things taken care of for him so all he has to worry about is the country. Stupid, stupid, stupid.

[Radical Activist]

35. ABC joined the right wing echo chamber a while ago.

Jake Tapper is a big part of that.

[ecstatic]

37. When I see articles like this, my only hope is that this type of disgusting spin no longer works

And I suspect that it doesn't--the right wing media and McFailin threw every smear they could Obama's way on the way up to the general election.

[KittyWampus]

39. I hope LOTS of people read this & it works for Obama and Democrats. It really should be sent around

[w4rma]

40. President Jimmy Carter. Respect him with his title. (nt)

[Fleshdancer]

42. WOW. Well, we know President Obama is hitting a nerve

This is beyond ridiculous. :wow:

[EraOfResponsibility]

51. Yeah, how about that?

[jberryhill]

43. When Bank of America Can Launch Nuclear Missiles, We'll Talk /nt

[Pryderi]

46. Does he have a $14,000 garbage can? n/t

[Phx_Dem]

47. This is actually good because it makes ABC News look like

complete fools. People will read this nonense and think WTF??? First of all the President of the United States makes a fraction of what Wall Street fat cats earn. Secondly, the President lives within the limits outlined by the Constitution and the U.S Legistlature.

This is an idiotic piece that reads like it's intended to generate sympathy for the billionaire fat cats who've created this economic disaster. Good luck with that ABC!

[WinkyDink]

49. It's to make Joe the Plumber and Jane the Teacher perceive "Do as I say, not...."

Completely, utterly, brazenly, and shamelessly unpatriotic and cynical.

[tomg]

67. If Jane the Teacher buys into this

she should have her tenure pulled (and I say this as a tenured teacher). Joe the Plumber might buy it, but the plumbers I know recognize shit when they see it. You are right, though: completely, utterly, brazenly, and shamelessly unpatriotic and cynical.

[demo dutch]

48. Now that's just ridiculous, meanwhile it was ok for GWB and predecessors

[Danger Mouse]

52. What is this bilge?

:puke:

[BootinUp]

54. ABC News thinks they can make more money being a better Faux type

news org. I gave up on ABC after the Path to 911 bullshit. And Jake Tapper is an excellent example of why people should ignore them.

[Hansel]

55. Was this written by a elementary school student journalist?

No offense to elementary school students.

Wow, this is breathtakingly naive. He should be fired for being a waste of space, money and time. This guy has absolutely no analytical skills or ability to do appropriate analogies. It's really an amateurish piece. I'm surprised it hasn't been pulled. Wait, no I'm not.

The comments on the site are cracking me up. He is really being skewered and a lot of it is coming from people who say they didn't vote for Obama. Leave it to ABC to finally bring us all together. If only for a very brief moment.

[Lilith Velkor]

56. BELIEVABLE - they tried to blame Clinton for 9/11

(I know, I know...)

[ShadowLiberal]

57. Oh no why would our president need FREE security? Who would want to kill them?

:sarcasm:

I mean really, when have we ever have had an attempt to kill a president while he was in office? Let alone one actually killed while president?

Oh... wait...

If you exclude Lincoln that's true... and Kennedy... and Garfield... and McKinley...

But no other presidents have ever almost been killed by assassins!

Oh wait... except for that time they shot Reagan... and then there's 11 other presidents who people tried to kill but failed...

But still, 27 out of 43 odds of people not trying to kill you while you're in office are pretty darn good odds, especially considering the fact that the last 7 presidents before Obama were either shot, or had assassination attempts on their lives that failed. Those odds certainly don't justify the need to give the president a perk like FREE security! :sarcasm:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_United_States_Presidential_assassination_attempts

[avaistheone1]

59. The Wall Street Journal for the most part is written by a bunch of whores

who pimp for the greedy corporations who are bleeding the taxpayers dry.

[Cha]

60. Leave Obama alone..you moth%^F0cker$

He's got the hardest job in the world and you @#$%^&*(*&)^&% are making it harder.

LAY THE FUCK OFF.

[Unsane]

61. Jake Tapper, ABCNews et al have some weird, snarky agenda against Obama

don't know why

[Vinca]

68. Um . . . isn't being POTUS a whole lot more important than being

a criminal CEO of a hedge fund?:mad: The corporate masters are afraid they might have to sell one of the mansions.

[Vinca]

69. The Chimp: jacketless and clueless. nt

[alwysdrunk]

70. And if the president does a bad job he gets fired

And he only has a four year contract. The president loses his job when the organization he works for need a bailout. He doesn't keep his job and get a bonus!

[Blue_Tires]

71. this is a new low even by ABC standards

[Generator]

72. Fine let's start with billing Bush for $50 million

in what he owes us. Obama can pay as he goes, okay ABC propaganda ministers?

OR MAYBE we should let the president fly coach. At least it would be honest, since we are a bankrupt nation of losers lead by Republicans for the last thirty years.

[Bad Thoughts]

73. No, let's take everything the CEOs have

If the logic is that the plane, chef, mansion, etc, are all perks the president enjoys, they should admit that they are Obama's only temporarily. When Obama leaves office, for whatever reason, they will cease to be his. So, if the CEOs leave their positions, we should take back all the perks they received from their companies. Simple!