Relaxing in Hawaii after decorating the White House, shopping with Bo, and raising taxes

With the Payroll Tax Cut passed, the President flew out of Washington to Hawaii to join his family for Christmas. And, he's out of town for good reason. While pretending to lower taxes for those lucky enough to be working, the Senate Plan that he signed into law included an income tax increase on those earning more than $18,350 in the two months of January and February.  ( The Payroll Tax Cut Deal Gets Worse ).

While this may sound like a lot of money, it amounts to only $110,100 per year.

Even the lips of my liberal friends around here are buzzing, because, Obama is only supposed to target the rich. But, this sure sounds like the middle class.

And, to make things worse, the Obama's are trying to suppress the Photo Op with Bo shopping spree that the President took while he was still in DC ridiculing the Republicans. You see, the Hawaiian newspaper that covered the First Family's arrival in Oahu reported that Bo was with them (in Hawaii).

But, a couple of days later, Bo was shopping with the President in the Washington area. Was the dog in DC all the time? Or, did the President and his handlers have the audacity to fly the dog back to Washington for the spontaneous shopping event?

Lastly, we viewed the Holiday Video that the White House produced. It shows all the people who worked so hard decorating it. What always strikes me as funny is that with all that work and decoration, this First Family refuses to spend the Christmas Holiday in our White House.

Aloha Hawaii, the Obama Christmas vacation has begun

Even though the President has forced himself to remain in Washington until the payroll tax plan is passed, his family has left without him.

Flying out on Saturday, Mrs. Obama and the children have flown to Hawaii to begin their 17 day, $4 million, vacation. They arrived at their Kailua Oahu beachfront home on the 17th (17 for 17 days) in order to be there when the rest of their family and friends arrive.

This is the third time the First Family has spent the Christmas Holiday in this luxurious resort area. It's away from the hustle and bustle of Washington and Chicago politics, yet still on U.S. territory.

It's been over 3 months since the family's last vacation on Martha's Vineyard and the Obama's need their relaxation before entering the grueling re-election campaign season.

While most of us will be entertaining at home this season because of restricted budgets, the Obama's will browse the shops, swim in the turquoise surf, get in a few rounds of golf, and dine in the finest restaurants.

"Thank-you American taxpayers" they might be thinking as they awake on Christmas morning. Without your "hope and (pocket) change", we could never afford this wonderful lifestyle.

While the 'Clock is Ticking', Obama is campaigning

Since adding the "Clock is Ticking" countdown to the White House website on December 5th, the President has remained in Washington after returning for Kansas City, devoting his time to official business:

• Meeting Dignitaries,
• Holiday Receptions and Football games,
• Television Interviews,
• and Campaigning.

Last Wednesday, he held talks with Prime Minister of Canada, and yesterday he met with Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki of Iraq.

Then on Thursday, he hosted a Hanukkah Reception which was 2 weeks early. Next, he entertained himself at the annual Army / Navy Football game on Saturday, and then attended the spectacular 'Christmas in Washington' evening event on Sunday.

Officially, Friday and Tuesday were relatively empty as he attended only one meeting on Friday. However, from other sources, we find Obama appearing on TV and campaigning on Tuesday.

Both Thursday and Tuesday (today), Mr. Obama was interviewd by various television outlets which he is using to supplement his campaign attacks on Republicans.

But it is his weekly campaign appearences (last Wednesday and today) which add money to his billion dollar campaign war chest that cannot be missed.

Surprisingly, the "Man who will not rest until the tax cuts are passed", has refused to act by meeting with members of Congress and negotiate a settlement. Only once did he meet with with Democratic leadership but has done nothing to prevent "a tax increase at the worst possible time".

Go'in to Kansas City

Kansas City, here I come.

They've got some crazy women there,

And I'm going to get me one!

While the President is taking the plane to this song famous city, the purpose of his trip is much more mundane. He's only going to a visit the Osawatomie High School to give an economic speech.

And while he is gone today, he will be missing a surprise White House visit by Lady Gaga.

It's Campaign Season - Ho, Ho, Ho.

The month of November ended with the President flying off to New York City to attend two evening fundraisiners. To pay for the Wednesday November 30th trip, Obama had Air Force One detour to Scranton PA where he visited the local high school and sat in someone's house before flying to the Big Apple.  The President arrived back in DC on early Thursday afternoon but there was no public notice of what he did that morning.

In the meantime, his wife Michelle was getting ready for next year's busy campaign season as well. She flew to Chicago on Thursday December 1st to attend a memorial service for the father of Valerie Jarrett. Sometime during that trip, first lady has hired her own chief of staff (Alyson Laackman of Chicago) for her husband's reelection.

After everyone was back in Washington, the Obama's attended a Kennedy Center Honors Reception on Sunday. Rahm Emanuel and wife were there, and David Axelrod as well.  With all the celebrities in one location, the election campaign group worked the the crowd gathering donations.

Interestingly enough, while all this was going on, they send the Vice President Biden to Turkey.