Lavish Lifestyles of the Rich and Republican

Right wing pissed off again

PoliticsAugust 2011 • Views: 30,712

Suddenly there seems to be an enormous amount of right wing whining about the President’s “lavish” lifestyle. A prime example of the genre: The Imperial Presidency - Mark Steyn - National Review Online.

Mark Steyn seems to think President Obama should forego vacations at Martha’s Vineyard, and private jets, and Darth Vader buses.

I have an idea! To show that he’s committed to austerity measures in these trying times, maybe Obama should follow the lead of Republican candidate Mitt Romney, and sell something valuable.

Like the $5.25 million, 9,500-square foot Deer Valley ski lodge Romney sold recently, for example?

11 pictures in this slideshow - click the image to start

Slide 2 Slide 3 Slide 4 Slide 5 Slide 6 Slide 7 Slide 8 Slide 9 Slide 10 Slide 11

Of course, the Romneys do still own a $10 million home on Lake Winnipesaukee in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire, and a $12 million La Jolla beachfront compound, so maybe Romney’s example isn’t comparable after all.

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71 comments

austin_blue Sat, Aug 20, 2011 2:56:29pm

McCain had "several homes", no? But The Prez gets popped for taking his wife out for a nice meal? Really?

By the way, you want non-pizza cheese?

[Link: www.centralmarket.com...]

Henchman 26 Sat, Aug 20, 2011 2:57:01pm

Obama's a privileged (and probably feels entitled) black. He should be eating watermelon and wearing ragged jeans, cheap t-shirt, gold chains and a diamond encrusted grill.

SpaceJesus Sat, Aug 20, 2011 2:57:37pm

I like how these right wing smear merchants can't decide whether Obama is being lavish or being "ghetto" in the White House.

Gus Sat, Aug 20, 2011 3:00:02pm

I find it astonishing that the right wingers cab bitch and moan about the Secret Service bus being (partially) built in Canada can turn around and applaud a fellow winger from Canada disparage our own president. Technically a "foreigner." Had a foreigner ("with a funny accent"_{Wingnut Speak}) said something similar from the left against Saint Bush the 2nd they would have gone into convulsions.

bratwurst Sat, Aug 20, 2011 3:00:44pm

At what point are "reasonable" conservatives going to take Mark Steyn to task for failing to understand why millions of people consider Rush Limbaugh a nasty racist?

Fortitudine Sat, Aug 20, 2011 3:01:41pm

Everybody knows that libruls ain't supposed to have money!

Gus Sat, Aug 20, 2011 3:02:17pm

Oh yeah. Don't forget about Schylar Capo and the woodpecker. WTF was that all about? What a dork.

Henchman 26 Sat, Aug 20, 2011 3:02:21pm

re: #4 Gus 802

I find it astonishing that the right wingers cab bitch and moan about the Secret Service bus being (partially) built in Canada can turn around and applaud a fellow winger from Canada disparage our own president. Technically a "foreigner." Had a foreigner ("with a funny accent"_{Wingnut Speak}) said something similar from the left against Saint Bush the 2nd they would have gone into convulsions.

Damn foreigners, poking their noses in our business.

wrenchwench Sat, Aug 20, 2011 3:03:20pm

That looks like an Islamic prayer rug in #4 (or like six of them sewn together).

Secret Jihadi sympathizer!!11!!!

Kragar Sat, Aug 20, 2011 3:07:38pm

They're just living the American Dream, and making sure less than 1% of Americans will be able to do the same.

Gus Sat, Aug 20, 2011 3:08:33pm

re: #8 b_sharp

Damn foreigners, poking their noses in our business.

Which was the general mood from 2001-2008. Freedom fries!!

wrenchwench Sat, Aug 20, 2011 3:08:45pm

re: #3 SpaceJesus

I like how these right wing smear merchants can't decide whether Obama is being lavish or being "ghetto" in the White House.

Or both, somehow.

Did you know that Barack Obama's mother-in-law lives in subsidized government housing with two of her grandchildren?

_{It's the White House}

Genshed Sat, Aug 20, 2011 3:09:45pm

I'm not sure which bewilders me more; the meme-peddlers claiming that Obama is the product of an elite, upscale background OR the meme-gobblers who believe that claim. From a more objective perspective, he is the result of a successful meritocracy, which is allegedly what the self-same peddlers claim is the genius of America. What's more, he's almost as good at annoying leftists as W was. If the GOP had not taken the express bus to Crazytown a while back, he could have been the most popular Republican President since Reagan.

Now THERE'S an alternative history story worth writing!

Gus Sat, Aug 20, 2011 3:13:06pm

Had GWB come up with the "Darth Vader" bus during his term the wingers would have been masturbating over it almost like war porn openly fantasizing about the secret weapons it probably carries and how it's a useful thing "during this time of war."

albusteve Sat, Aug 20, 2011 3:14:14pm

who care what people do with their own money....it's public money that causes the rift...and at this point there is little reason for either BO or congress to be in DC....for what?

Charleston Chew Sat, Aug 20, 2011 3:16:40pm

After Carter tried to be a less "imperial" President -- carrying his own luggage, wearing jeans, etc. -- conservatives claimed that the Reagans restored honor to the Presidency by not eschewing the pomp and glamour.

And remember when Huckabee said:

...his perspective as growing up in Kenya with a Kenyan father and grandfather, their view of the Mau Mau Revolution in Kenya is very different than ours because he probably grew up hearing that the British were a bunch of imperialists who persecuted his grandfather.

So I guess the conservative complaint is that we've got an anti-imperialist imperialist President.

The only thing the President's really guilty of is Presidenting While Black.

albusteve Sat, Aug 20, 2011 3:18:11pm

I'd like to see the feds restore governing....they can do it in Speedos and string bikinis for all I care

Amory Blaine Sat, Aug 20, 2011 3:18:52pm

If we gave the rich another tax cut he could put in another pool table.

laZardo Sat, Aug 20, 2011 3:20:52pm

So I'm back from Free Samples Guy training at Safeway and this happens.

Kragar Sat, Aug 20, 2011 3:20:54pm

re: #18 Amory Blaine

If we gave the rich another tax cut he could put in another pool table.

And get some minimum wage guys to carry it in and set it up for him.

albusteve Sat, Aug 20, 2011 3:21:43pm

re: #19 laZardo

So I'm back from Free Samples Guy training at Safeway and this happens.

do you suppose there is a connection?

Gus Sat, Aug 20, 2011 3:22:11pm

re: #20 Kragar (Proud to be Kafir)

And get some minimum wage guys to carry it in and set it up for him.

Hey. Make sure those same guys don't have any health insurance or disability protection. If they get hurt on the job they can just pray to be healed.

laZardo Sat, Aug 20, 2011 3:22:15pm

re: #21 albusteve

do you suppose there is a connection?

The Zionists will find a way. q;

Feline Emperor of the Conservative Tears Sat, Aug 20, 2011 3:22:47pm

re: #3 SpaceJesus

I like how these right wing smear merchants can't decide whether Obama is being lavish or being "ghetto" in the White House.

Both at the same time of course - that's why he is "magic".

O_o

albusteve Sat, Aug 20, 2011 3:23:34pm

re: #24 oaktree

Both at the same time of course - that's why he is "magic".

O_o

LOL!....the universal man

Charleston Chew Sat, Aug 20, 2011 3:27:43pm

re: #13 Genshed

I'm not sure which bewilders me more; the meme-peddlers claiming that Obama is the product of an elite, upscale background OR the meme-gobblers who believe that claim. From a more objective perspective, he is the result of a successful meritocracy, which is allegedly what the self-same peddlers claim is the genius of America. What's more, he's almost as good at annoying leftists as W was. If the GOP had not taken the express bus to Crazytown a while back, he could have been the most popular Republican President since Reagan.

Now THERE'S an alternative history story worth writing!

I think that alternate history would involve Eisenhower desegregating the military instead of Truman, and the Dixiecrats taking over the Democratic party. Maybe George Wallace even gets elected President.

My point is that, IMO, which ever party embraced Southern racism as a political strategy in the mid to late 20th century was bound to become the party of insanity.

Killgore Trout Sat, Aug 20, 2011 3:34:23pm

We hit 95 degrees today. The first and probably only day in the 90's all year.

A Man for all Seasons Sat, Aug 20, 2011 3:38:06pm

re: #27 Killgore Trout

We hit 95 degrees today. The first and probably only day in the 90's all year.

We are over 53 some days of over 100 degrees.. The hottest summer of all time in Oklahoma.. I'm not to happy about it

freetoken Sat, Aug 20, 2011 3:38:56pm

La Jolla is over rated, IMNSHO. Used to go there quite a bit (several times a week), and while it has its charms the reality is that the traffic is a bitch, getting in and out is now done at a snails pace, and the marine layer keeps it too cold too often. Point Loma has better views, and Rancho Santa Fe has better climate (and no crowds.)

I think people buy houses in La Jolla just so they can say they live there, not that they necessarily enjoy it.

Feline Emperor of the Conservative Tears Sat, Aug 20, 2011 3:39:08pm

re: #28 HoosierHoops

We are over 53 some days of over 100 degrees.. The hottest summer of all time in Oklahoma.. I'm not to happy about it

Yea, that's hotter than Singapore would have been...

Killgore Trout Sat, Aug 20, 2011 3:41:14pm

re: #28 HoosierHoops

We are over 53 some days of over 100 degrees.. The hottest summer of all time in Oklahoma.. I'm not to happy about it

Everyone else in the country has had a brutal summer except the Pac NW.

albusteve Sat, Aug 20, 2011 3:42:03pm

re: #28 HoosierHoops

We are over 53 some days of over 100 degrees.. The hottest summer of all time in Oklahoma.. I'm not to happy about it

the seasons will change....
blizzards
black ice
power down
cheer up!

elizajane Sat, Aug 20, 2011 3:42:07pm

re: #3 SpaceJesus

I like how these right wing smear merchants can't decide whether Obama is being lavish or being "ghetto" in the White House.

As I suggested on the Page about this idiotic article, which I had read and spat at earlier in the day, the problem is that Obama is not a person of Real Money.

People of Real Money vacation on their own personal ranches, and that is okey-dokey. They can even clear some brush and demonstrate that they are Men of the Earth, not like EPA-loving socialists.

A person who rents an expensive house for a week is uppity, regardless of their race. People who don't own vacation homes don't deserve to have a vacation! Haven't you all gotten that memo yet??

PhillyPretzel Sat, Aug 20, 2011 3:42:35pm

re: #31 Killgore Trout
Philly has had quite a few days that have been 90+. We do not need any more.

Kragar Sat, Aug 20, 2011 3:43:17pm

re: #22 Gus 802

Hey. Make sure those same guys don't have any health insurance or disability protection. If they get hurt on the job they can just pray to be healed.

//

God doesn't let the truly religious people get sick or injured, or be poor for that matter.

Kragar Sat, Aug 20, 2011 3:47:27pm

Barton: People Are Poor Because They're Not Religious

Barton later asserts that poverty doesn’t contribute to a higher abortion rate, asking, “is it not the attitude that leads to poverty that also allows abortion and everything else? Is it poverty that causes abortion or is it an attitude?” He claims that there is a “spiritual solution” to poverty and abortion because people of faith do not “choose to live in poverty.” Barton contends that once poor people change their humanistic attitude that tolerates abortion, poverty will end:

If you choose not to advance your life, not to work your tail off, work three or four or five jobs or whatever it takes, if you choose to stay in that lifestyle is that not an indication of an attitude and therefore an attitude, ‘I don’t care about life I don’t care about anything but me, I’m the only thing I care about,’ and that’s why you stay in poverty. Therefore, it’s not a matter that if you eliminate poverty you’re going to eliminate abortion, you got to eliminate the attitude that keeps somebody in poverty and that goes back to a spiritual solution.

Charleston Chew Sat, Aug 20, 2011 3:47:55pm

re: #31 Killgore Trout

Everyone else in the country has had a brutal summer except the Pac NW.

Dodged the bullet here in Boston as well. Mostly low 80s all summer.

If anyone's jealous, take comfort in the fact that the winters are brutal here.

blueraven Sat, Aug 20, 2011 3:49:58pm

re: #28 HoosierHoops

We are over 53 some days of over 100 degrees.. The hottest summer of all time in Oklahoma.. I'm not to happy about it

We are on our 66th day of 100 or above. I think 70 days is our record.
106 today.

[Link: www.kxan.com...]

albusteve Sat, Aug 20, 2011 3:52:02pm

re: #37 Charleston Chew

Dodged the bullet here in Boston as well. Mostly low 80s all summer.

If anyone's jealous, take comfort in the fact that the winters are brutal here.

that's not all that's brutal...
nice opportunity to slam the East, but I won't....I enjoy a visit back there now and then

Ben G. Hazi Sat, Aug 20, 2011 3:52:53pm

re: #2 b_sharp

Obama's a privileged (and probably feels entitled) black. He should be eating watermelon and wearing ragged jeans, cheap t-shirt, gold chains and a diamond encrusted grill.

Don't forget the fried chicken and a forty of Colt 45/St. Ides/Mickey's/other malt liquor of choice...

///

albusteve Sat, Aug 20, 2011 3:52:53pm

re: #38 blueraven

We are on our 66th day of 100 or above. I think 70 days is our record.
106 today.

[Link: www.kxan.com...]

I think the DFW area missed the record by one day

blueraven Sat, Aug 20, 2011 3:55:40pm

re: #41 albusteve

I think the DFW area missed the record by one day

I have no doubt that DFW and Austin will break their all time records within the next few days. Extended weather outlook is for warmer than usual, and drier than usual, all the way through next summer. Ugh!

Ben G. Hazi Sat, Aug 20, 2011 3:56:06pm

re: #16 Charleston Chew

After Carter tried to be a less "imperial" President -- carrying his own luggage, wearing jeans, etc. -- conservatives claimed that the Reagans restored honor to the Presidency by not eschewing the pomp and glamour.

And remember when Huckabee said:

So I guess the conservative complaint is that we've got an anti-imperialist imperialist President.

The only thing the President's really guilty of is Presidenting While Black.

With absolutely no way to win with the wingnuts (or the moonbats, for somewhat different reasons).

albusteve Sat, Aug 20, 2011 3:56:55pm

re: #42 blueraven

I have no doubt that DFW and Austin will break their all time records within the next few days. Extended weather outlook is for warmer than usual, and drier than usual, all the way through next summer. Ugh!

be thankful you are not a steer

Ben G. Hazi Sat, Aug 20, 2011 4:01:46pm

re: #36 Kragar (Proud to be Kafir)

Barton: People Are Poor Because They're Not Religious

Barton can just go eat a huge bag of dicks for that vile shit...

Hal_10000 Sat, Aug 20, 2011 4:03:38pm

Actually, they should focus on Rick Perry. That guy, throughout his term as governor, has gone everywhere with a huge taxpayer-funded entourage. And we don't even know how much it costs because they slipped a provision in a bill to keep those costs concealed until ... 2013.

albusteve Sat, Aug 20, 2011 4:03:41pm

re: #45 talon_262

Barton can just go eat a huge bag of dicks for that vile shit...

who's Barton and why should I care what he says?

albusteve Sat, Aug 20, 2011 4:06:28pm

re: #46 Hal_10000

Actually, they should focus on Rick Perry. That guy, throughout his term as governor, has gone everywhere with a huge taxpayer-funded entourage. And we don't even know how much it costs because they slipped a provision in a bill to keep those costs concealed until ... 2013.

both Perry and Bachmann can send us into theo-oblivion...these people are the real deal....defending what BO ate for lunch is mickey mouse

Kragar Sat, Aug 20, 2011 4:07:07pm

re: #47 albusteve

who's Barton and why should I care what he says?

A "historian" who rewrites American history to be more Evangelically friendly. Mike Huckabee said all Americans should be forced to listen to him at gun point.

Youtube Video

Henchman 26 Sat, Aug 20, 2011 4:08:31pm

re: #47 albusteve

who's Barton and why should I care what he says?

He's a pseudo-historian propagandist trying to re-write US history to match the religious right's view of a moral/stable society.

He's a bullshit artist with pull in right wing political circles.

albusteve Sat, Aug 20, 2011 4:08:45pm

re: #49 Kragar (Proud to be Kafir)

A "historian" who rewrites American history to be more Evangelically friendly. Mike Huckabee said all Americans should be forced to listen to him at gun point.

[Video]

for some reason I just don't care...a small fish

Kragar Sat, Aug 20, 2011 4:09:59pm

re: #51 albusteve

for some reason I just don't care...a small fish

When he's the kind of expert the GOP relies on for policy and research, I take notice.

Henchman 26 Sat, Aug 20, 2011 4:10:00pm

re: #51 albusteve

for some reason I just don't care...a small fish

He has the ear of Limbaugh, FOX and many repub candidates. He's not so small.

blueraven Sat, Aug 20, 2011 4:10:27pm

re: #47 albusteve

who's Barton and why should I care what he says?

Another Texas based religious nutjob, who is very influential with the conservative christian right. Also a revisionist history author.

[Link: en.wikipedia.org...]

laZardo Sat, Aug 20, 2011 4:11:23pm

re: #49 Kragar (Proud to be Kafir)

A "historian" who rewrites American history to be more Evangelically friendly. Mike Huckabee said all Americans should be forced to listen to him ~~at gun point.~~or Chuck Norris will hunt your ass down.

ftfy

///yeah, i know that meme is so 2007

Charleston Chew Sat, Aug 20, 2011 4:11:53pm

re: #43 talon_262

With absolutely no way to win with the wingnuts (or the moonbats, for somewhat different reasons).

Strategicly, the First Family's image has been a tightrope walk since the primaries. If they look too downscale (like W on the ranch), the racists see "ghetto", if they look too upscale (like Nancy Reagan), the racists see "ghetto fabulous".

In the case of the First Lady you might call it the J. Crew tightrope -- that small area of seeming elegant but not ostentatious.

They've been compared to the Kennedys and "Camelot", but for the Kennedys it was just cool; for the first black First Family it's a survival strategy and one they've probably been honing since college.

blueraven Sat, Aug 20, 2011 4:12:03pm

re: #54 blueraven

Another Texas based religious nutjob, who is very influential with the conservative christian right. Also a revisionist history author.

[Link: en.wikipedia.org...]

Also: Barton is the former co-chair of the Republican Party of Texas.

Prideful, Arrogant Marriage Equality Advocate Sat, Aug 20, 2011 4:14:52pm

This is the subject that caused me to tell my MIL last thanksgiving-in front of everyone- that "I worried for her sanity" Yeah, i know. I did feel bad later though.
Apparently this has been going around the religious movement -known as the Republican party-for some time now. My mother in-law is very upset that the Obama's took the white house for one reason only, to get stuff. You see, they planned it from the beginning of his run. Michelle demanded great clothes and Obama had a weakness for fancy cars so they decided to run for President so they could have all the tax payers pay for it. She found this out from other tea partiers and she is afraid that tea partiers lives are in danger if the Obamas know they found out the truth.

Ben G. Hazi Sat, Aug 20, 2011 4:19:25pm

re: #58 Cankles McCellulite

This is the subject that caused me to tell my MIL last thanksgiving-in front of everyone- that "I worried for her sanity" Yeah, i know. I did feel bad later though.
Apparently this has been going around the religious movement -known as the Republican party-for some time now. My mother in-law is very upset that the Obama's took the white house for one reason only, to get stuff. You see, they planned it from the beginning of his run. Michelle demanded great clothes and Obama had a weakness for fancy cars so they decided to run for President so they could have all the tax payers pay for it. She found this out from other tea partiers and she is afraid that tea partiers lives are in danger if the Obamas know they found out the truth.

She normally go for conspiracy theories or did she join the tinfoil hat/black helicopter brigade after Obama was elected?

albusteve Sat, Aug 20, 2011 4:20:47pm

whack-a-mole...
you might win but the odds are stacked against it....
the GOP doesn't give a shit what you think about Barton, and neither does he for that matter...there is nothing to learn here

aagcobb Sat, Aug 20, 2011 4:20:56pm

re: #58 Cankles McCellulite

This is the subject that caused me to tell my MIL last thanksgiving-in front of everyone- that "I worried for her sanity" Yeah, i know. I did feel bad later though.
Apparently this has been going around the religious movement -known as the Republican party-for some time now. My mother in-law is very upset that the Obama's took the white house for one reason only, to get stuff. You see, they planned it from the beginning of his run. Michelle demanded great clothes and Obama had a weakness for fancy cars so they decided to run for President so they could have all the tax payers pay for it. She found this out from other tea partiers and she is afraid that tea partiers lives are in danger if the Obamas know they found out the truth.

The good news/bad news is that your MiL is not insane; that sort of belief is perfectly mainstream in the Teabagger movement.

Amory Blaine Sat, Aug 20, 2011 4:28:26pm

re: #45 talon_262

Barton can just go eat a huge bag of dicks for that vile shit...

Ranch or classic?

Henchman 26 Sat, Aug 20, 2011 4:41:07pm

re: #62 Amory Blaine

Ranch or classic?

Balsamic vinegar and olive oil.

Fortitudine Sat, Aug 20, 2011 5:11:48pm

re: #63 b_sharp

Real Murkins would use Wesson's.

SanFranciscoZionist Sat, Aug 20, 2011 5:48:28pm

re: #36 Kragar (Proud to be Kafir)

Barton: People Are Poor Because They're Not Religious

I read this. Then I think of some poor people I know with far greater faith than Barton's. Then I want to kick Barton's ass, which will probably cost me in Faith Prosperity Points.

SanFranciscoZionist Sat, Aug 20, 2011 5:49:29pm

re: #43 talon_262

With absolutely no way to win with the wingnuts (or the moonbats, for somewhat different reasons).

Moonbats are pretty much unwinnable, except by one of their own, and one of their own can't be president.

SanFranciscoZionist Sat, Aug 20, 2011 5:51:31pm

re: #58 Cankles McCellulite

This is the subject that caused me to tell my MIL last thanksgiving-in front of everyone- that "I worried for her sanity" Yeah, i know. I did feel bad later though.
Apparently this has been going around the religious movement -known as the Republican party-for some time now. My mother in-law is very upset that the Obama's took the white house for one reason only, to get stuff. You see, they planned it from the beginning of his run. Michelle demanded great clothes and Obama had a weakness for fancy cars so they decided to run for President so they could have all the tax payers pay for it. She found this out from other tea partiers and she is afraid that tea partiers lives are in danger if the Obamas know they found out the truth.

I'm sorry about your mother in law, but I can't stop laughing...

dragonfire1981 Sat, Aug 20, 2011 9:06:27pm

re: #67 SanFranciscoZionist

I'm sorry about your mother in law, but I can't stop laughing...

Believe it. I've been to a couple of Tea Party meetings and at one the person running it said something along the lines of: "I'm glad to see you all here tonight, but it's important we get our message out to as many people as we can. Some people may not be coming because they don't know what we're about and others may not be coming because they are afraid to."

Yes, he was implying that folks were NOT going to the Tea Party gatherings out of fear the government would come after them if they did.

It never fails to amaze me to see the blatant disconnect of these folks. On one hand they claim the U.S. government is the most disorganized, incompetent and mismanaged entity in the country, but then turn around and have no problem believing this same "incompetent" government has the manpower and resources to constantly spy on and run high tech surveillance on every anti-government minded movement and person out there.

lostlakehiker Sat, Aug 20, 2011 10:00:37pm

The nail that sticks up gets hammered down. People are afraid, with some reason, to be visible on contentious national or local issues. On either side. There's a spirit of payback in the air. Nothing to do with the government, which quite properly brings no charges against people for arguing, even in ways that "slander the state", about politics. But the government isn't the only player in the game.

lostlakehiker Sat, Aug 20, 2011 10:03:36pm

re: #44 albusteve

be thankful you are not a steer

That wouldn't be good even if there were plenty of fodder. Bad bull, it'd be. ///

HappyWarrior Sun, Aug 21, 2011 2:57:33am

It's somehow "class warfare" to suggest as Warren Buffet and others have that taxes be for the wealthy what they were in the Clinton years but this is fine. Seriously, Obama can do no right in the eyes of these asses. Mark Steyn wouldn't be saying a damned thing about luxury if ti was President McCain.

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