"According to CBS News, the tax dollar part of the vacation include an estimated $146,000 round-trip cost for the U.S. Air Force 757 aircraft, not counting ground time; about $95,000 in hotel costs for an estimated 70 security personnel -- Secret Service and military -- who get a $273-a-day government per diem, plus costs for the dozen or so cars in her motorcade. I'm told that three shifts of agents are needed for a trip of this magnitude."
http://www.politicsdaily.com/2010/08/06/michelle-obamas-lavish-spain-vacation-sparking-criticism/
"Some among a flurry of newspaper and television reports, have estimated the cost to the American taxpayer of her entourage's trip at $375,000, drawing criticism as much of the US is mired in economic gloom.""Her stay at the lavish Villa Padierna in the hills above Marbella – where rooms cost up to $2,000 a night – has coincided with the news that the US lost 131,000 jobs last month, significantly more than expected."But the blanket coverage of his wife's five-star Mediterranean break – including private viewings of the Alhambra palace in Granada and an expected lunch with the Spanish royal family on Majorca today – could not have contrasted more sharply with the bad economic news being battled by the President."the US government is picking up the bill for her security costs – including an undisclosed number of Secret Service agents and official vehicles – and the flights on Air Force Two."Probably even more damaging are the images of Mr Obama's wife enjoying her Spanish jaunt even as many Americans lose their jobs at home. "Sacrifice is something that many Americans are becoming all too familiar with during this economic downturn," noted Ms Tantaros in her widely-read column.""But while most of the country is pinching pennies and downsizing summer sojourns – or forgoing them altogether – the Obamas don't seem to be heeding their own advice.""
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/michelle-obama/7932155/Michelle-Obama-criticised-over-expense-of-Spain-trip.html
"Spanish police close public beach for Michelle Obama's £250,000 Spanish holiday""Michelle Obama today faced a fresh wave of attacks over her lavish break in Spain with 40 friends, which could easily cost U.S. taxpayers a staggering £50,000 a day.""For a start, they will be paying for the 60 rooms booked at the 129-room Hotel Villa Padierna. With basic rooms starting around £380 each, the nightly bill will be no less than £22,800.""Whether or not the taxpaying American will be paying for meals, they will definitely be footing the bill for the First Lady's 68-strong security detail, her personal staff - and the use of presidential jet Air Force Two."The per diems for the secret service team runs at around £172 each, which amounts to nearly £60,000 for the length of the summer break.""Use of Air Force Two, the Air Force version of a 757, comes in at £91,900 for the round trip. This does not include time on the ground.""Mrs Obama's personal staff, of which there are an unknown amount and who might cost considerably more per day, also have to be taken into account.
The American public will also cover the cost of the only official part of the holiday, a visit to the Spanish royal family on the island of Majorca.""This will involve transport there and back for the entourage - as well as travel, accommodation, food and expenses for all while on the island.
Conservative estimates already put the total cost at £150,000. With Majorca to come, the bill will be more like £250,000""Back in the U.S., anger was mounting - especially as it has emerged the First Lady will have enjoyed eight holidays by the end of the summer." "Yesterday New York Daily News columnist and blogger Andrea Tantaros likened the President's wife to French queen Marie Antoinette, who was famously extravagant with her spending.
Tantaros wrote: 'To be clear, what the Obamas do with their money is one thing; what they do with ours is another. Transporting and housing the estimated 70 Secret Service agents who will flank the material girl will cost the taxpayers a pretty penny.'"'It's the extravagance of Michelle Obama's trip and glitzy destination contrasted with President Obama's demonisation of the rich that smacks of hypocrisy and perpetuates a disconnect between the country and its leaders'"Mrs Obama arrived by plane at Malaga airport yesterday/on Wednesday morning and was driven in a 14-car convoy to the five star Hotel Villa Padierna, where her entourage has reserved 60 of the 129 rooms.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1300852/Spanish-police-close-public-beach-Michelle-Obamas-250k-Spanish-holiday.html
So Off topic, What are your thoughts on this matter?
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