Thread: Tired of

Originally Posted by jasmine

well, I guess different people see it different ways..... I guess if my own home would be my vacation spot, then... I'm on vacation all the time LOL sigh, not a big fancy get-a-way ranch though. Maybe he considered it his haven to get away.

Even if your own home is a fancy get away ranch -- it's still owned by you and paid for by you -- when secret service goes to the exclusive resort in Martha's vineyard who pays for their rooms? their meals out etc -- at the Bush house those things aren't a consideration, I really can't see how anyone can logically compare the two.

Teddy Roosevelt's home on Long Island was called the "summer white house" - I'm sure many president's have "worked from home"

My husband works from home whenever he can -- many say my backyard looks like a resort -- because my home is nice does that mean he really isn't working?

Originally Posted by justme23

I almost would agree w/ this if it weren't for the fact that his ranch IS his vacation home. They just (well, it's actually been a little while now) bought a house in Dallas. It's about 30 minutes from me. NOBODY wants him there... that part of the city is pretty much shut down when he wants to go anywhere. And when they go on vacation even now... it's to that ranch.

If a president repeatedly goes to the same place, such as a vacation home or his prior residence...that portion of the world then becomes familiar to the staff and contracts/arrangements are easier and more than likely less expensive. Like if he's staying Dallas, there is probably a contract with a hotel where the secret service stay, etc. When he's travelling world wide, it is not familiar terrain...therefore the places need to be scouted out first, many arrangements need to be made so they can become familiar with those surroundings and anticipate alot more 'unknowns'..which equates to more expenses.

So no, I do not believe the costs to the citizens are the same whether the president be on his ranch or in Spain...Spain would obviously be more expensive. If they sit their bums on a beach in Florida for 3 days...the costs is less than travelling around New York City.

Also where they go makes a difference. Security costs in a podunk town are a lot less than NYC. However, Martha's Vinyard expenses are probably not all that much comparatively as it is a relatively small island (less access, less issues = more control).

Globe trotting costs more than a vacation home.

Originally Posted by Bahet

The SS are paid the same whether they are scouting the safety requirements of NYC or sitting in the WH going nowhere. It doesn't cost more for them to check on a hotel in Spain than it does for them to stand outside the Oval Office. The only extra costs would be their hotel room and per diem.

I think I mentioned that...... Seems that would be a big difference from the high end hotels of Spain than say the Dallas local Hotel 8.

Also, just because they are sitting in familiar territory in TX doesn't mean they don't have to go through everything just as they did the first time. They also still have to fly there. The costs of flying back and forth are more than any hotel room in Spain.

If they are familiar with the territory, their job is a lot easier...less 'unknowns'. When the President is taking unfamiliar routes, there's lots more homework and 'unpredictables'. (I am not saying that TX is a 'vacation' for them (SS) too, yes they work at both locations, but overseas travel (and new places/frequent moving (touring/tourists) presents more challenges which equals more costs.)

Are you saying the SS flies home every night when they are detailed in Tx?

I would also think there's an increase in SS payroll while traveling than while at the White House. (Increased staff and increased overtime pay, etc.)

www

I'm not jealous....he's just doing this on my dime. And he keeps taking more of my dime with almost every policy he backs. Not jealous, just disgruntled.

He may be human but he made the decision to have his family and take this job. Just like we all did. He knew the drawbacks.

I know that this is true, my bil works in the government.