America’s Nero

Nero fiddled, Obama golfed. Rome burned, the U.S. is burning America’s Nero Nero fiddled, Obama golfed. Rome burned, the U.S. is burning In Roman history, few emperors are as reviled as Nero, who famously fiddled while the beautiful city of Rome burned. Most historians believe Nero allowed the city to burn so there would be space for his own grand palace. In the end, Nero was undone by his pettiness; his tyranny and his extravagance. Thankfully, America does not have an emperor; we have a public servant in the highest office. Our President is responsible for his or her actions and stands before the voters every four years. Our current President, Barack Obama, was elected twice and now does not have to worry about his approval ratings or another election. He is term limited and free to pursue his liberal agenda to his heart’s content. He is also free to enjoy the perks of the highest office without suffering the wrath of the voters. ************************************************************************************************************************************* This week, as his country is in the midst of a poor economy and his citizens are not allowed to visit the White House because of budget cuts, the President and his family will be taking another extravagant vacation at Martha’s Vineyard, the playground of the rich. The Obama family enjoys the lifestyles of the rich and famous and has vacationed in exotic locales like Mexico, Bahamas, Aspen, Palm Beach, New York, Hawaii, Spain, and Africa to name only a few. President Obama has just returned from a $100 million trip to Africa. While there was “official business” to conduct on this visit, there was also plenty of time for sightseeing. No need to worry about any “official business” at Martha’s Vineyard. The First Family will be enjoying the sights, while the President will be enjoying the golf course. They will be staying in an $8 million mansion, owned by a Democratic activist and donor. Who knows how much this will cost the American taxpayer? It costs $180,000 per hour to operate Air Force One and the Secret Service entourage is extensive and expensive. During a recent trip to Hawaii, the two day hotel costs for agents was an eye popping $83,000. The President will be traveling while our embassies remain closed in the Middle East, our relationship with Russia is at a crisis point and his fellow Americans are reeling from the effects of his economic policies. As he plays golf, there is still a budget stalemate with Congress, forcing the Defense Department and many other federal agencies to furlough employees. In the last jobs report, 37,000 more Americans left the workforce altogether, joining 90 million Americans who are either unable or unwilling to find gainful employment in the Obama economy. A record 47.5 million Americans are now receiving food stamps, while millions of others receive some type of government assistance. Of all of the jobs that have been created during the Obama years, an amazing 77% have been part-time positions, which hardly providing adequate wages to raise a family in this tough economy. With these long term problems impacting the labor force, it is more than ironic that the President disbanded his Jobs Council. At this point, it would be a show of solidarity with Americans if the President and his family toned down their extravagant lifestyle, which is provided by beleaguered taxpayers. Of course, the Obama family does not feel such concern for their fellow citizens. They will continue to soak the taxpayers until the final hours of the President’s term. Therefore, Congress should pass legislation which limits the budget for presidential vacations, so the taxpayers are not funding an American version of royalty. Fortunately, our country is not a monarchy or an empire. We don’t have a King or an Emperor; however, we should demand a President who is in touch with the needs of his people and aware of their condition. This President seems hopelessly tone deaf to the economic problems in the United States, but he is very aware of vacation plans and how to make a tee time at the local golf course. While he has played 133 rounds of golf as President, the U.S. death toll has reached 2,260 in Afghanistan. At home, poor economic conditions have added to the economic disparity between the rich and poor and it is no surprise that race relations have worsened since the President has done nothing to bring the races together. Nero fiddled, Obama golfed. Rome burned, the U.S. is burning.