Posted on 06/28/2011 5:48:17 AM PDT by COUNTrecount
While her husband continues to battle a flagging economy at home, Michelle Obama's 'goodwill tour' of Africa cost taxpayers an estimated $800,000, it has emerged.
According to Whitehousedossier.com the First Lady's trip to South Africa and Botswana last week will certainly cost well over half a million dollars and could be as much as $800,000.
The cost of local transportation, Secret Service protection, food for her family and staff members, the cost of firing up 'Air Force 2' not to mention the pre-trip preparations would all have contributed to the final amount.
Firing up Air Force 2 could cost in the region of $12,723 per hour meaning the cost of the plane for the whole trip could work out to be a cool $430,000
Firing up Air Force 2 as it is sometimes known could cost in the region of $12,723 per hour meaning the cost of the plane for the whole trip could work out to be a cool $430,000
Mrs Obama said the trip would help 'youth leadership, education, health and wellness' in southern Africa, according to the White House.
All laudable goals. But with the news agenda endlessly dominated by the deficit, the raft of job loses and general economic misery, many may question why the money wasn't used closer to home.
While in Africa Mrs Obama, who also brought along her mother, daughters Malia and Sasha, and two of their cousins, enjoyed a meet up with Nelson Mandela, visits to historical landmarks and museums and a safari. Mrs Obama, her daughters Sasha and Malia and her mother Marian Robinson enjoyed a safari in Madikwe Game Reserve
If Mrs Obama had been accompanied by a military plane it could easily add on another $200,000 to the cost, based on Defence Department rates.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
Is that her schtick?
Put on a little dance show for the kiddies wherever she vacations?
Seems that way.
By the way, That is one BAD picture of her.
I'm thinking more of her awful posture.
It’s not often i see the little one with a smile on her face.
Usually it’s a puss that puts mom and grannys to shame.
Only 800,000? Lobster must be unavailable in Africa and she forgot to pack her own.
Michelle has a perpetual scowl on her face.
Then ask if great women leaders and personages of influence in their respective countries (or their aides) would allow a photo op like that even to take place....Laura Bush, Margaret Thatcher, Golda Meier, Indira Ghandi, Betty Ford, Queen Elizabeth, Mamie Eisenhower, Sarah Palin, Michele Bachmann.......
This is our First Lady.
Our clueless First Lady, for sure.
Would this dancer be allowed to perform in a White House evening entertainment dressed like that....and approach the First Lady sitting in the front row and gyrate that close to her?
I know, I'm a prude, I'm not politically correct.....and even worse, I'm RACIST!
Leni
That would be “ Keep your eyes on the road WHITE boy” to be precise..
Oh but that is racist, isn’t it/S
Weird how her own child appears a little overweight as well.
Re; photo of the First Frump in the red pants suit,
Why the h*ll does she have that stupid scarf tied up around her boobs?
What a stain of American history these people are.
Can you just imagine Laura Bush and one of her daughters sprawled out on a couch with an official like that?
Don’t they know how to act just a little dignified?
My God, those kids are ugly!
$800,000? It would be worth every penny if they had all just stayed there.
I suspect they’re cramming in all their free s—t while they can. I think they get that the gravy train ends in January 2013.
Unbelievable ping.
I have a change to the first sentence of the article.
It should say “While her husband continues his deliberate destruction of America at home....”.
Palin/west 2012. Because we can’t afford 4 more years of Obama or his family.
LMAO!! Me too.
The entire family is ugly. Big ole Wookie, the skinny, googy potus and the two rugrats. Hideous, all of them.
Creepy!
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