Obama before and after.

[Sava]

Uhh... yes, taxes have been a political issue for a long time.

durr durr durrrr

but coupled with so many other nuanced political issues... the feds ability to use credit/debt financing, income taxes (whiskey tax was seen as a direct income tax), legitimacy of feds ability to enforce laws over states (or local govts) in such matters

[notyoueither]

There was a flap here recently when the PM wanted to go to a playoff game in Boston.

He is not allowed to fly commercial, so a government jet had to take him to Boston and bring him back.

He paid the treasury the amount of a commercial airline ticket (a cheap one).

[Riesstiu IV]

[Sava]

that picture made the song "Love Shack" get stuck in my head

[rah]

There was a flap here recently when the PM wanted to go to a playoff game in Boston.

He is not allowed to fly commercial, so a government jet had to take him to Boston and bring him back.

He paid the treasury the amount of a commercial airline ticket (a cheap one).

At least he was aware how it would look, and paid some compensation.

[notyoueither]

It would be largely symbolic, but would it make you feel better about your presidents if they paid a nominal fee for flying on AF1 for personal and party business?

[rah]

Yes that would help, but as in this case, if they use it for fund raising where what they taking in is x number of times greater than the full cost, I think they should pay the full amount.
But you are right, they won't let the president fly commercial so maybe a compromise would be more appropriate. Like I said, a lot of my anger about this type of thing surfaced after He went after the corporate presidents.

[Sava]

raising the top marginal rate by 0.01 would more than cover the costs of the President's travel

I'm pretty sure it is in America's interest to protect our leader... even the people who pay the top marginal rate. Hence, the shared burden and responsibility for PAYING FOR IT

[rah]

I'm not questioning protecting the president. I questioning the cost when the President is doing it for personal gain. (after giving crap to corporate Presidentd for doing it for actual business)

[Hauldren Collider]

So you're mad because he asked for something small instead of asking for something big?

Of course! When it's that small, there's only one reason he actually cared about it--saving face. That's it.

[notyoueither]

Like I said, a lot of my anger about this type of thing surfaced after He went after the corporate presidents.

I can see how people could feel that way.

[DaShi]

WASHINGTON—After months of heated negotiations and failed attempts to achieve any kind of consensus, President Obama turned 50 years old Thursday, drawing strong criticism from Republicans in Congress. "With the host of problems this country is currently facing, the fact that our president is devoting time to the human process of aging is an affront to Americans everywhere," said Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, who advocated a provision to keep Obama 49 at least through the fall of 2013. "To move forward unilaterally and simply begin the next year of his life without bipartisan support—is that any way to lead a country?" According to White House officials, Obama attempted to work with Republicans right up until the Aug. 4 deadline, but was ultimately left with no choice except to turn a year older.

Insane!