RE: Barrack & Michelle Obama's new Wealth Building adventures
On top of all that, he gets a pension that's over $200,000 per year. Plus each former President receives money every year to pay for expenses such as offices. Obama's proposed 2017 budget is $3.9 million, which is payed by the taxpayers. This money is to pay for office space, staff and expenses.
Seriously.
While Americans pay for their own expenses, we also get to pay the expenses for former Presidents too.
George W. Bush received $1.098 million in 2015 from taxpayers to cover his office space and staff and other expenses.
The Former Presidents Act authorizes the government to pay former presidents a lifetime pension, plus other benefits like travel, staff, office space, and mailing privileges so they can have enough money to live like a rock star.
I don't have a problem with a pension. A 'reasonable' pension. I imagine being president takes alot out of you. But office space? In the millions? Given that these ex-presidents make mulitudes of millions on their own from book deals, speaking fees etc why in the world are they owed anything else by taxpayers? They should have to do what like welfare recipients have to do. Or social security retirements require. Your payout by the government decreases in proportion to your personal income increase ya know? With a 65M book deal the Obama's should get zero pension!
I agree with the pension too but the office space and travel expenses are ridiculous.