"Taxpayers still foot the bill" for Bush's motorcade as gas prices rise

[Bush_Eats_Beef]

Think Gas Is Pricey? How About President Bush?
Taxpayers Foot The Bill

POSTED: 6:34 am CDT August 25, 2005

WASHINGTON -- Next time you complain about how much it costs to gas up your vehicle, imagine how much higher the bill would be if it had heavy armor and thick, bulletproof glass.

Filling the tank on President George W. Bush's limo isn't cheap, and neither is gassing up Air Force One or Marine One -- with the presidential fleet suffering through the same drastic rise in fuel prices as everybody else.

The White House won't say how much it costs to ferry about the president. Taxpayers still foot the bill.

Bush's motorcade typically has about a dozen vehicles, including his heavily-armored Cadillac limo. And filling Air Force One's tank has gotten sharply more expensive. The Air Force said it now costs about $6,000 per hour to keep the fleet's largest plane airborne.

http://www.channel3000.com/automotive/4894300/detail.ht...

[sasha031]

1. this is so sick

Everything is a political party to these people, we are billions in debt, it really pisses me off, I wish the rest of the country would wake up...at least this is making the MSM.

[Name removed]

3. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Bush_Eats_Beef]

4. It's a big deal when he's driving to a GOP fundraiser...

...as he is in the photo above.

Yes, it's policy.

Yes, it sucks.

[KoKo]

9. When he came to NC there were several SUV's holding his Staff and

SS Agents plus his limo, plus the black hawk helicopter that flew overhead. And, he was here for a fundraiser with one of his wealthy donors. He only stayed a few hours...it was a "luncheon."

I wondered at the time if there isn't another plane that accompanies Air Force one which holds all these vehicles. I think there were five SUV's all black so they weren't rented plus his limo. That's alot of vehicles to stuff in Air Force One's Cargo. The helicopter comes from who knows where...but there was one when Cheney came here for a fundraiser, circling overhead. Either the helicopter has to fly from an air base...which could be a long way depending on where the closest air base is or it's transported too.

I don't think Presidents used to travel like this. I guess the security is an important factor for any President...but maybe it's more for this one. He should travel less to these fundraisers. Save us some money...even if some of it's paid for by Repug Party, I'm sure that taxpayers pay the SS and for the vehicles.

[Missy M]

7. Yes it is a big deal....

we flew him to Crawford for his vacation on our dime so he should stay there for the month before we have to fly him back. Instead he is flying all over the country for PR junkets and another vacation spot. I wouldn't find it right for any president, specially in these times.

[newyawker99]

10. Hi sasha031!!

Welcome to DU!!

[Missy M]

2. bush should pay the bill for the gas etc. when he is on vacation...

I can't stand the thought of footing the bill as he flits around the country riding his bike. Why do they need such big motorcades for show!!

[napi21]

5. I think he should set an example and STAY HOME!

Remember when Carter ordered the WH thermostat lowered to 67 and told everyone to wear a sweater?

I think Shrub should set the same example. If you don't need to go out, DON'T! He's not running for anything, so why does he think he needs to go to fund raisers? Stay home! Keep that fleet parked! Then ask all the American people to do the same!

[imax2268]

6. well...

from what I understand...AF1 costs 40,000 dollars an hour to operate...mostly in fuel...

[Double T]

8. President Misfit doesn't give a sh_t about how much it costs to fly....

his sorry ass around the country and the world making political speeches. He doesn't have to worry about the cost of filling up the tank or paying a fuel surcharge, the taxpayers always foot the bill. There wasn't any provisions in HIS PHONY TAX REDUCTIONS TO THE WEALTHIEST CORPORATIONS ENERGY BILL that even addressed higher fuel economy mandates to the automakers. This Prez is completely out of touch with reality and/or he is so beholding to the BIG OIL companies that doing the right thing no longer matters.