I think I would be kind of embarrassed if other world leaders were invited to the White House and were served food on China that any one of us could afford to buy. I know it's not the equivalent, but I couldn't imagine having dinner on a holiday like Easter, Christmas, or Thanksgiving on paper plates. But I lol'ed when I read the "Presidential styrofoam plates" comment.

I'm not a Bush supporter, but this is the best post so far on this thread. I agree, especially since it's not being paid for by tax payers.

Paris Hilton is not a member of the first family. If Bush's daughter did this would I be concerned? Probably.

I thought I covered that in my post when I said that the use of private $$ to buy China seems to be senseless and unnecessary. Since it was a purchase made by the first fam. for the white house (one that they are leaving in two weeks) it has to do with Bush. This use of $$ makes me (and others) question Bush's credibility (on the issue of the bailout). It also makes people feel that this 7 billion dollar bailout was total crap because if there's 1/2 a mil for china there should be $$ (non TP $$) to bail-out these corporate losers.

And FTR I think this bail-out was total crap. Mofo's just getting billions for no reason.

And I'm having this mental image of Daemon as the President of the United States. I have this image of world leaders visiting the White House getting their food served to them on presidential styrofoam plates. I'm just seeing everyone with a confused look on their faces, while Daemon and the 1st lady eat like there's nothing wrong.

ETA: And let's not forget about what happens to styrofoam plates when you cut into them with plastic knives. I think it would get pretty messy. lol

DS, I totally don't think this is a good idea at all.

The Bush family is NOT paying for the china. If you even read the article, you'd know that the White House Historical Association is paying for the china (as they did for the Reagans and the Clintons).

The only thing the Bush family has to do with this china is that they picked the design.

And what is the environmental impact of Styrofoam? Hmmmm?? ;)

eta - And I'm getting a headache from the more illogical arguments. Teaching logic warps you, it must be said. Sigh. Putting people on ignore also doesn't work if they get quoted by others - :rolleyes:

Feel better, honeychile.

I wonder what they do with the bulk of the old china since they seem to change it for every 2 term president. If they were smart, they'd put it up piece by piece on Ebay... I'd def throw down $100 just so every time I ate cereal, it was with my official Clinton White House spoon.

Also, the price tag seems hefty on the china, but keep in mind it is a LOT of china, enough to serve whole dinner parties.

"Qu'ils mangent de la brioche"

To the best of my knowledge, hey don't "get rid of it". Different services are used for different occasions - I know sometimes reports will mention that, for example, the Truman service is being used.

I know that they keep some of the historic ones, but I can't imagine them using all that stuff until it's unusable if they are buying new stuff around every 10 years...

While some debt was paid back to the American public (treasury bonds and such), neither the national debt nor the deficit were ever in the black nor was the budget ever balanced during his terms.

Ok...so now that we are back talking china...here is my question...if there is a question of replacing it so often, then how often are they using the china that it needs replacing? LOL

Are foreign dignitaries just dropping in weekly or something?

I mean it's not like they eat off the fine china daily....heck if that's the case, then donate some of that stuff to me so I can throw out my old plates I have been using the past 2 terms....heheheheh!!!

heh

I'm not sure what the environmental impact would be, but I'm sure the leaking juices from the meat and veggies would be a very messy impact on Daemon's $10,000.00 table cloth. lol (DS I'm kidding)

I'm guilty of putting people on ignore...:o

I'll agree with you on that one - unfortunately, it looks like both sides of the aisle are more than happy to make that mistake.

I'm not an expert on this by any stretch, but is it used just for foreign dignitaries? I would imagine the china is also used for formal dinners with members of Congress, Governors, etc.

Hence styrofoam plates and they have to take their shoes off at the door, not for fear of them being thrown but I will be damned if they mess up the White House carpet.....and put plastic on the White House couches too:

http://www.nationwideplastic.com/furn1.jpg


Serve bag and box dinners to them...it's more eco friendly.

Heh!

lol lol lol (o.k. that's it...you owe me two cups of Starbucks, and possibly a new computer)

From The Washington Post:

White House china is displayed in many rooms of the house, and the designs and shapes reflect the style and food in vogue through 200 years of presidential families. There are the French porcelain oyster plates and bonbon stands of the Rutherford B. Hayes administration and the cocktail cups and oatmeal bowls of Woodrow Wilson.

"The china shows the taste of the day. It records history," White House social secretary Amy Zantzinger said.

The frequent entertaining at the White House takes its toll on the china, and breakage depletes the numbers over the years.

"Right now, we only have two complete sets of china we can use for a state dinner for 134: the Reagan and the Clinton services," Zantzinger said.

Mrs. Bush explained that up to now, presidential families have used the formal state services for their meals and entertaining in the upstairs private quarters. She said that she most frequently used the red Reagan china but that her husband is partial to the Johnson service, which Lady Bird Johnson designed to depict wildflowers from throughout the country. Now, Bush said, future first families will have the option of using the "more informal" set for lunches and small dinners.

. . .

The debut of the Bush china occurred at a small luncheon this week for U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

Your analogy is off in so many ways. To make it a bit more on target, my next door neighbor would have ordered that couch a few years ago, before any economic turndown. He didn't pay for it with his own money or with my money -- he paid for it with a gift of money that came with the stipulation that it can only be used for buying new furniture for the house. And while he has other couches already, they are not sufficient to meet the entertaining needs that everyone in the neighborhood expects him to fulfill on our behalf, which is one reason we've been letting him and his family live in the house to begin with.

The Bushes didn't just go to Ikea last week and buy new china. The process for designing and buying this china started years ago, and the reports all note that the new china had been expected to arrive long before now, but was delayed for a variety of reasons.

The money that was used to buy the china couldn't have been used for some other purpose, such as helping people who are having trouble paying mortgages. The money came from a foundation, which can only spend its funds on items related to the care, conservation, history and furnishing of the White House. So, there were three choices here: spend the money on china for the White House, spend the money on something else for the White House, or don't spend the money at all. They spent the money on china, putting a half-million dollars back into the economy that might not have been there otherwise.

Just not that big of a deal.

Invalid premise?
 

Also, there seems to be a belief that spending money during a recession is bad. This is false. The BEST thing for those with money to do right now is SPEND it - businesses are going under because there simply are no buyers. If money doesn't start moving we are going to have even more problems- a terrible trickle down effect which some are feeling even as we speak.

Can't spend what you don't have.

Can't make it to spend if you don't something to make it with.

Exactly. This is just silliness.

SWTXBelle is right as well. This is a time when you WANT people spending money.

Those who can and do spend money right now are the ones who are going to bring this economy back eventually.

It is never a "good time" to make an extravagant purchase because there are always people out there who are envious and jealous- poor economy or not.

So I am certainly not of the mind that those who can live large in a down economy need to be ashamed of it. The First Lady wisely chose to not make note of the price because that would be tacky. It was the media that decided to play that up.

Which is why it's important for those who do have the money to spend to get out and spend it for the sake of the rest of us.

Let me borrow 10 bucks form you, I'm good for it once the recession is over!

LOL - hey I included myself in that "us." Then again, I did wait until the economy was in the toilet to buy two cars and a house. It was intentional!

There are footballs that aren't properly inflated, too - that doesn't change the score of last night's game.

Seriously, formal logic, ace.

I know that they are not paying for the China! My point is that it was the Bush family's choice to buy the china. Like I said before I think that this is horrible timing and sends a bad impression. I also don't agree with the purchase because I think that art would have been more sensible than China especially because the incomming fam may buy new China.

^^ I agree that its not that big of a deal. As I said the money is spent and I wouldn't reverse it if I could. That does not mean that I agree with the purchase. I happen to believe that there could have been a better purchase and much better timing.

I know that when in a recession the government spends money to keep our economy at equalibrium. This is the reason that the New Deal was a success. What I'm saying is that in a recession money should be spent in a more concientious manner. FDR spent money on the arts (which many people considered frivolous) but it was money well spent. I happen to put new China in the unnecessary and frivolous category.

While I agree in part about the need for people to spend money I also understand that if the people with money spend their money they will not be the people with money for long. In a recession most people cannot afford to be buyers. The only thing I would consider buying is CDs, Bonds, and other things that garuntee a return. The thing about the trickle down effect is that when there are cut backs they trickle all the way down, but when there are profits, they dont necessarily trickle.

Damn. So this is what happens when you don’t read a thread for 24 hours.

First of all, this isn’t the first time that deepimpact has said something that was “misconstrued.” If, when she said “visit,” she meant that to mean, “We all can't eat with the china,” then that’s all she had to say. “Hey, I’m sorry everyone, but what I meant was...” Simple enough.

Anyway, the fact that people are getting all crazy about this kind of baffles me. There are 132 rooms in the White House. I’ve visited there 5 times; 3 times on the general tour, and twice in the West Wing (and yes, it’s pretty easy to visit. Hell, I’ve played with the President’s dog in the rose garden!). Still, I’ve only seen a fraction of the house. I don’t get mad because I can’t use the glassware, or because I can’t sleep in the Lincoln bedroom, or because I can’t throw a strike in the bowling alley. The entire house belongs to the country, but we, as the general public, don’t have access to about 95% of it. Why don’t we all get mad that we can’t use the presidential toilet paper?!

Any way you look at it, this wasn’t paid for with taxpayer’s money. So what’s the problem? If I went out and bought a speed boat right now, would you come knocking down my door saying, “Hey, we’re in a recession!”

No, but you can bet I'd be knocking down your door come summer, asking if you can take me waterskiing.

But seriously, I have my own skis!

It's a date. :p

Lake Erie or Lake Michigan?

To be honest, I don't know yet if Lake Michigan smells like dead fish in the spring, like Lake Erie does.

Let's wait until spring to make the decision.

Lake Michigan doesn't smell like Lake Erie. NOTHING smells like Lake Erie...

Price of gas may be up to 5 bucks a gal by then so save your money.

Yeah but waterskiing behind a paddleboat isn't as fun!

Hook your skiis up behind the car....save some money.

Hard times are when people get creative...get some rollerblades and hang off of a bike...

Can I haz poops in the White Houses pleas?

Only Presidents who serve TWO terms are allowed to order new china. So the first Bush didn't get to. Only time will tell if Obama will.
On a sad note, I heard that some of the Lenox outlets are closing which is too bad b/c I always love shopping there. One of them had samples in the entryway of all the Presidential place settings (Destin FL maybe?) and it was so fun to look at them all.
Obama will easily spend that much money to redecorate the Oval office when he moves in.
Didn't I just read that some guy had a $250,000 bathroom put in his office (at taxpayers expense, not donations) and he's the only one allowed to pee in that toilet. At least the dishes are used by many.

Thanks, SWTXBelle! I picked up something lethal on a flight full of people who couldn't control their coughing children.

I can't wait to see all the fuss once people realize that the President-Elect will be refurnishing the Oval Office to suit his taste. Oh, the outcry! Oh, the waste! :rolleyes:

I haven't been there yet, but there's a First Ladies Hall of Fame which sells replicas of the various White House China. The Smithsonian also has some. There are literally thousands of people who volunteer for the White House Preservation Association (started by Jackie Kennedy), so we will be able to keep the White House in shape for foreign dignitaries and such. I understand that the Lincoln Bedroom had to be refurbished in the past eight years, too, but I won't comment further on that. These volunteers are the very people who want to make sure that White House is a symbol of the home of President of the United States. They are to be applauded, not scolded.

Are they still planning on building the basketball court?

Also, if the china was ordered several years ago, were we actually in a recession when they were ordered?

Yes, let's wait.

But if Lake Michigan smells even a little bit better than Lake Erie, we're going there!

1. Once again, what does using private, donated funds to purchase China have to do with our national economy? Please, enlighten me. How do you figure they are "blowing funds"? THE MONEY WAS DONATED AND SAVED FOR THE SOLE PURPOSE OF BUYING IT!!!! I feel like I'm taking crazy pills for Christ's sake.

2. Fine China is most certainly considered an art form you dolt.

Are you an idiot? I'm as serious as a heart attack.

So because someone spent 500,000$ worth of DONATED money that was given for the SOLE PURPOSE of buying a White House gift........that means the bailout was "total crap" and Bush has lost "credibility"?

You serious Clark?