I Hate to Talk Politics, But . . .
I know everyone hates George W. Bush. But I am sick of stories like this one.
Why doesn't anyone ever point out that Congress takes off the whole month of August, too?
Why doesn't anyone ever point out that Congress takes off the whole month of August, too?
posted by Melodee at Friday, August 05, 2005
12 Comments:
Heck, practically all of Europe take of July or August...we Americans just have that got to do more mentality - especially in the computer age. I think we all need to learn to relax more. Maybe the media should take August off, too!
George G.? Anyway, hate to break the news, but there is one person who likes our President - me. So there.
I am curious as to why you dislike the story, Mel...
I am sure that most people wish their companies would allow that kind of "flex time" at their workplace.
20% of his presidency spent at his ranch? I didn't realize he'd been elected to be president for only 80% of his term.
The quote about him going to Texas to "reconnect with everyday America" is, in my opinion, another sign of how out of touch he is with everyday America. There is much more of America than his home state.
I'm rather sick of such stories also. But for different reasons.
Suzanne
I was thinking alot about this yesterday (how could I not when it was all over the media). Being a pastor's wife I tend to get frustrated (on a good day just amused) that folks think their Pastor only works on Sunday, or that when he's in the office he has time to just sit and chat for an hour about nothing, or call the house during the evening on any day of the week and expect him to be home (while he's either at a meeting, counseling session, home visit, hospital visit, studying for and preparing a sermon, or even just running errands for copy paper, Sunday school supplies, communion wafers, etc.)
The President, in this same way, doesn't just have a "job". It's his life. There are issues, meetings, office work, etc. etc. that happen at any hour of the day, any day. He doesn't clock in at 9am and out at 5pm. He is the leader of the free world, and only a man for cry'n out loud. There is stress to be lifted, family to be with, and other things that keep him grounded. And, even though I am unapoligetically Republican ... I would say this about any President.
Besides the fact, part of his "job" is to appoint folks to work with, under, around him that see that what needs to be done is getting done. Does anyone really think he just disappears to Texas for a month without updates and communications with Washington on a regular basis?
Sorry, got a bit hot under the collar there after I read some of the responses. Mel, I wanted to let you know I've only recently come across your blog, and I am enjoying it very much.
I was thinking alot about this yesterday (how could I not when it was all over the media). Being a pastor's wife I tend to get frustrated (on a good day just amused) that folks think their Pastor only works on Sunday, or that when he's in the office he has time to just sit and chat for an hour about nothing, or call the house during the evening on any day of the week and expect him to be home (while he's either at a meeting, counseling session, home visit, hospital visit, studying for and preparing a sermon, or even just running errands for copy paper, Sunday school supplies, communion wafers, etc.)
The President, in this same way, doesn't just have a "job". It's his life. There are issues, meetings, office work, etc. etc. that happen at any hour of the day, any day. He doesn't clock in at 9am and out at 5pm. He is the leader of the free world, and only a man for cry'n out loud. There is stress to be lifted, family to be with, and other things that keep him grounded. And, even though I am unapoligetically Republican ... I would say this about any President.
Besides the fact, part of his "job" is to appoint folks to work with, under, around him that see that what needs to be done is getting done. Does anyone really think he just disappears to Texas for a month without updates and communications with Washington on a regular basis?
Sorry, got a bit hot under the collar there after I read some of the responses. Mel, I wanted to let you know I've only recently come across your blog, and I am enjoying it very much.
With everything so technical and mobil, he can work where ever he is. I agree with 'just me'. It's his life, and I just bet it is NO vacation. Ever.
By the way...I'm taking the entire month of September off. No one will notice, but in my heart, I will be ON VACATION!
This might be my first time posting here although I read quite often... I have to say that I LOVE our president and if I could I would vote him in for a third term.
As for his vacationing time I'll have to agree with Just Me that he is "on call" 24/7 even if he is at his ranch, at Camp David, in the bathroom. It doesn't matter. If something were to happen he would be right there doing what he is supposed to do, lead our country.
I think this of any president, not just GW. Regardless of if the President is in the Oval office or "the office" as my husband would call it, he is our President. No vacation, no time away, can change that fact. When you or I go on vacation, we can truly be gone, not worry about our work, he can't.
I kind of see the office of the President as sort of a CEO, and I am a shareholder.
If my CEO was taking 20% of his time to vacation in the Bahamas, I would be a little perturbed. Even under the assumption that the CEO could teleconference and the like, I don't know many stockholders who wouldn't be demanding of a more hands-on work ethic.
People also like to say that the President "sets an example" for the rest of the country. As the Commander-In-Chief of the troops, (unlike Congress) I find it discomfiting that while the tours of duty of almost everyone enlisted (even the Reserves) are being extended, Bush sees fit to take an extremely long vacation. That, to me, is a bad example.
Does anyone really think that *any* sitting US president ever really gets to take a 'vacation'??
If so, you've got to be kidding me.
Read some biographies of US presidents, past and present, conservative and liberal. then tell me if you still think they're actually 'vacationing' whether they're in Texas or Martha's Vineyard. Try to be non-partisan about it, and imagine yourself in the position. Think you'd ever be able to 'relax'?
Vacation?? Yeeeeah, I don't think so. It's a change of scenery maybe, but I wouldn't consider any period during a four year term serving as the de facto leader of the free world 24x7 a 'vacation'.
I think most of us would rather work 52 weeks a year at our regular joe jobes w/out a break, given the choice. Just my USD$0.02.
what really makes me crazy is this unreasonable belief that some people have that just by the position someone has they are owed our respect, that a title deserves blind allegiance. it negates independent thought.
as for the idea of GW having 5 weeks of vacation. I think its kind of unacceptable that he makes such a big deal about it. Are the kids fighting in Iran getting 5 weeks vacation? Even the majority of the working public don't get more than 2 weeks off, and fewer still can afford to go on a vacation at all. Congress takes the month off....but its off of the work of congress, and out of Washington, back to their communities to work there.
but honestly more frightening than a poor leader, is the people who follow him just because he is the leader. reasonable, intelligent people who some how do not seem to see the same things I (and many others) can see, blinded by their attitudes and big words.
cris
I don't think it has to be a matter of hates him/loves him. I'm sure it's a tough job being president no matter who you are and the president deserves to go on vacation. The trouble I have is that it's also a tough job to be a firefighter, garbage man, single parent, etc. and they deserve more vacation time, too.
Post a Comment
<< Home