Recession? What recession? The Bushes Buy Fine China for almost 1/2 a mil.

[KSigkid]

Originally Posted by TexasWSP

People are pissed off that a private foundation has paid for a new set of dinnerware for the White House?

Agreed - again, maybe bad public relations move, but other than that, no issue with me.

For those who have a problem with it, ask yourself this: do you think that the Obamas should skimp on furnishing the White House when they move in? Or, should they be able to decorate as they please? As I said, I have no problem with it at all, I think that each President should be able to utilize the donations as they please, decorating the White House and buying whatever flatware they desire.

I'm thinking at least some of the criticism comes more out of a dislike for Bush than it does out of a problem with the spending choices.

[DaemonSeid]

Originally Posted by KSigkid

I'm thinking at least some of the criticism comes more out of a dislike for Bush than it does out of a problem with the spending choices.

Maybe even a combination of both.

Bush admin. is not popular (approval rating hovering somewhere near freezing) + bad economy + Bush Admin spending money on some china (regardless how it's paid for) = some harsh criticism considering the timing.

[KSigkid]

Originally Posted by DaemonSeid

Maybe even a combination of both.

Bush admin. is not popular (approval rating hovering somewhere near freezing) + bad economy + Bush Admin spending money on some china (regardless how it's paid for) = some harsh criticism considering the timing.

Agreed, exactly my point. It's not so black and white as being poorly-timed because of the economy, because I don't think some people would be bothered if the Obamas were making the purchase.

(And, to be fair, if things were reveresed you may have some conservatives criticizing the President-Elect if his White House made the purchases).

[deepimpact2]

Originally Posted by KSigkid

Agreed - again, maybe bad public relations move, but other than that, no issue with me.

For those who have a problem with it, ask yourself this: do you think that the Obamas should skimp on furnishing the White House when they move in? Or, should they be able to decorate as they please? As I said, I have no problem with it at all, I think that each President should be able to utilize the donations as they please, decorating the White House and buying whatever flatware they desire.

I'm thinking at least some of the criticism comes more out of a dislike for Bush than it does out of a problem with the spending choices.

When the Obamas move in, there is a warehouse of furniture that they can choose from. In furnishing the White House they will not be spending a great deal of money the way people wish to believe. Until the Obamas actually move in, it really is pointless to bring up that issue.

As for the part about the dislike of Bush, I dare say that those who don't think it is a poor choice in this economy are saying that because they are Bush supporters. It should occur to you that some people have the ability to prevent their dislike of Bush from clouding their judgment in all matters that concern him. For instance, I don't like Bush. I think he is a horrible president, but I was still appalled and angry that someone dared to throw a shoe at him. He did not deserve that kind of disrespect. So when I have issue with themoney spent on the china, it is not because of my dislike for him, it is because I think it was a poor choice in this economy.

[epchick]

Originally Posted by deepimpact2

As for the part about the dislike of Bush, I dare say that those who don't think it is a poor choice in this economy are saying that because they are Bush supporters. It should occur to you that some people have the ability to prevent their dislike of Bush from clouding their judgment in all matters that concern him. For instance, I don't like Bush. I think he is a horrible president, but I was still appalled and angry that someone dared to throw a shoe at him. He did not deserve that kind of disrespect. So when I have issue with themoney spent on the china, it is not because of my dislike for him, it is because I think it was a poor choice in this economy.

I don't think it's a poor choice......and i'm not a Bush supporter. Shocker!

They've got the china, it wasn't paid with your tax money---Seriously, just get over it.

[EE-BO]

Originally Posted by epchick

They've got the china, it wasn't paid with your tax money---Seriously, just get over it.

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.

[KSigkid]

Originally Posted by deepimpact2

When the Obamas move in, there is a warehouse of furniture that they can choose from. In furnishing the White House they will not be spending a great deal of money the way people wish to believe. Until the Obamas actually move in, it really is pointless to bring up that issue.

As for the part about the dislike of Bush, I dare say that those who don't think it is a poor choice in this economy are saying that because they are Bush supporters. It should occur to you that some people have the ability to prevent their dislike of Bush from clouding their judgment in all matters that concern him. For instance, I don't like Bush. I think he is a horrible president, but I was still appalled and angry that someone dared to throw a shoe at him. He did not deserve that kind of disrespect. So when I have issue with themoney spent on the china, it is not because of my dislike for him, it is because I think it was a poor choice in this economy.

Well, I'm not a Bush supporter, MysticCat isn't a Bush supporter, epchick isn't a Bush supporter, Munchkin isn't a Bush supporter, and KSigRC isn't a Bush supporter. So, that makes a group of us who aren't Bush supporters, but don't think it's a big deal.

I also wasn't pointing directly at you in making my comment - I was more making the comment generally.

[TexasWSP]

Originally Posted by deepimpact2

When the Obamas move in, there is a warehouse of furniture that they can choose from. In furnishing the White House they will not be spending a great deal of money the way people wish to believe. Until the Obamas actually move in, it really is pointless to bring up that issue.

As for the part about the dislike of Bush, I dare say that those who don't think it is a poor choice in this economy are saying that because they are Bush supporters. It should occur to you that some people have the ability to prevent their dislike of Bush from clouding their judgment in all matters that concern him. For instance, I don't like Bush. I think he is a horrible president, but I was still appalled and angry that someone dared to throw a shoe at him. He did not deserve that kind of disrespect. So when I have issue with themoney spent on the china, it is not because of my dislike for him, it is because I think it was a poor choice in this economy.

Why was it a "poor choice"? It wasn't paid for with your taxpayer money so what's the big deal?

I think you can point to several more instances of spending that could be far more detrimental to our economy than the act of buying some dinnerware. Think: "Bailout"

[ThetaPrincess24]

Originally Posted by KSigkid

I'm thinking at least some of the criticism comes more out of a dislike for Bush than it does out of a problem with the spending choices.

Agreed!