Due to popular demand (Kate), I am making sure to address the controversial issue of Barack Obama's date night in New York City...As somebody who often analyzes events from an economic and political standpoint, I realize that my interpretation is usually different than the main stream. I've read a few blogs on the issue of Barack Obama's date night in New York City and there seems to be two emerging views.
A) Since Barack Obama does so much for our country, has very little free time, and can not use commercial flights due to security restrictions, it is okay that he used Air Force One for leisure. It is a small price to pay for his service to America.
B) Barack Obama has no business traveling on Air Force One for leisure considering the fact that it is at the expense of the American taxpayer. Americans have had to cut down their spending habits immensely and our leader should follow suit. It is not fair for Obama to live lavishly and utilize such a privilege for a one night excursion when many Americans are losing their homes and rationing their resources.
My initial interpretation on the issue was based on economic fundamentals. Regardless of whether or not you support Barack Obama, it is a FACT that his presence in any retail venue becomes an instant "stimulus plan" for the owners and employees. I waited a few days to write this because I wanted to find articles supporting my initial interpretation (see below). As I presumed, Broadway ticket sales for 'Joe Turner's Come and Gone' have skyrocketed thanks to President Obama's visit last week. Although previously suffering in ticket sales, the show for now, can safely go on. When you calculate the increased ticket sales and the multiplier effect of consumer spending, I would not be surprised if the net cost of the flight on Air Force One (security etc.) is in the negative. Truth be told, fear of our economic decline will only yield to it becoming a self-fulfilling prophecy. While I personally, do not have money to spend, the "value" lost in the stock market over the past year and a half was only moved from the public market to a private savings account. I realize this is an oversimplification, but I'm trying to emphasize that our stock market tanked because people were "cashing in on their investments." Motivating these people to spend is the best way to increase all of our livelihoods.
So while I do in fact also believe that our president deserves a night out every once in a while, I also want to mention that he forfeited his $100,000 stipend to redecorate the White House and instead is paying for it out of pocket. In my mind, this is a very important point that was rarely mentioned on mainstream news (Fox did you mention this at all?). It is not Barack Obama's fault that he lives with the real threat of assassination every day of his life. Without Air Force One, the role of President would become a position of social enslavement. As we have the witness protection and refugee programs, it is only fair to accommodate so that one can live their lives without losing their innate freedoms. I would be a hypocrite not to support Barack Obama's visit to New York. If I should ever become so lucky as to serve as President, I would expect to enjoy the same American past times such as going on vacation, seeing my child play a soccer game, or visiting Broadway every now and again.
"President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle had a date night in New York City this past Saturday night, and the centerpiece of their evening out was a Broadway show. T
he Obamas visited the Belasco Theatre in Times Square, taking in the Tony Award-nominated Broadway revival of August Wilson's play Joe Turner's Come and Gone. The audience at the performance was delighted to have the Commander-in-Chief in attendance with them, and they weren't the only audiences affected by the Obamas' Broadway visit. The press coverage of the First Couple at the show proved to be phenomenal publicity for Joe Turner's Come and Gone, which was struggling with ticket sales. According to the New York Post, Joe Turner's sold three times as many tickets as usual on the day after the President and First Lady attended the play. Now if only a few other troubled Broadway shows could entice the leader of the free world and his wife to show up for a visit ..."- nytix.com
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