I agree, how much is this costing the taxpayers and I haven't been there either. I am too busy trying to make ends meet. My husband and I don't even have a date night, we can't even afford to go to McDonald's. We are both 58, that is pretty sad that we have to work so hard to make ends meet. I think this is a very sad situation that the Obamas are using taxpayer dollars for date nights, vacations etc. when so many people have lost their jobs, houses, etc., etc.

True, we are paying, for transportation only. Anything a President and family does outside of offical business is on their dime. And that includes meals. Thats a long standing rule.

Roseann`- Almost got it right. We are also paying the freight for the security detail's accomodations as well as all other entourage that accompany them, ie hairdressers, personal assistants, chefs, valets and countless others. The plane they travel on remains in the country they are in on constant standby. If the presidential family had to pay for all of this, one trip a term would be about all they could afford...although the Obamas are millionaires in their own right. (He's just like one of us!) BTW, Bush's trips to Crawford were working vacations.....not sight-seeing at the pyramids or the Eiffel Tower.

you are all old time losers..............let Obama have a chance.........PLEASE!!!

It's not costing you or others not one cent!! I have never heard so much about a president before in my life and I am a senior citizen. No matter what went on with the other presidents, they were Gods. But this president can't do ANYTHING unless something is wrong with whatever he does. I'm sick of it!!! Leave this man and his family alone.

Of course we all know what the problem is, don't we?

I heard on the news today that they are paying out of pocket for the children and Mrs. Obama's mother. Before being elected the Obama's were wealthy people, booksales and maybe just maybe they have assets that some of you didn't care to know about, but was reported with their open tax records. Since you hate this family soooo much, you may not care to know that they are paying out of pocket for their living quater renovations in the White House, which is normally paid by "we the people."
As for the wars, the economy and fixing all of our woes...what would you suggest? You will probably be paying taxes until you die, and that was true before President Obama took office.

Official? Hmmmm, will the Obama girls be working a french soup kitchen while wearing THEIR $500 French sneakers just like their mom?

Geeze! Enjoy the trip.

To stop and think, men died in W.W.1, W.W.2, Vietnam,
Korea, and are dying now so that this Muslim Barrack Hussein
OBama can prance around the world like an idiot clown is a
disgrace and dishonor to those men and women who gave
their lives in service for this nation. For him to have achieved
God knows how, the presidency of the U.S, is a disaster
for the people of this country. Hey, Barrack Hussein Obama,
show us your true birth certificate and I'll bet the real one
says born in Mumbasa, Kenya. The jig is up, get out of the
White house you IMPOSTER. By the way, did you off granny?

Well, you're paying for it. Give them a call and tell them you'd like to come along.

Abd this is your business where he goes because???????????

I think it was Reagan that took the entire press corps to NYC for a show -- maybe for the weekend -- and, in their gratitude, we didn't hear a word or complaint about it!

They said on the news!!!!!!! Lets see the news don't lie correct?

Robert,

While goodwill is important......

How naive can you be? Who do you think is paying for secret service, air travel, etc.

Please tell me what you do for a living!!!!!

Do you even know how much lost revenue has cost the city of Las Vegas from LEGITIMATE CORPORATIONS cancelling conventions to our city in fear of negative publicity?

I am an early education teacher....I lost my 2nd job in Las Vegas (strip worker---convention food service). I now earn $8 per hour working a second job at a convenience store while trying to get my master's degree.

I know of fellow workers where both husband and wife lost jobs in convention work and are now losing their home.

Ironically, the culinary union supported President Obama during his run for office.

And as a teacher I know first hand what this lost revenue has done to our schools.....do you have any school age children, Robert?

Maybe you can organize huge groups to come to our city to make up for the damage our city has suffered....

In addition to Robert's comment, have you all forgotten that prior to his inauguration, President-elect Obama established a transition government aimed at resolving as much he could, the gargantuan economic, social and international problems that the Bush administration was handing over to him? And that was for free-no pay, got it? Do you even have the slightest idea of the enormous responsibility that he is, and will be, carrying on his shoulders until the end of his term?

Foreign travel to mend our currently extremely poor international relations with countries like Iraq, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, China, North Korea (I am not sure though if this nuclear-greedy country will be in his itinerary this year) is an absolute necessity for the President to take if we are to improve both our economic and social relations with the outside world.

Previous administrations also took their relatives to trips abroad. The only difference is that they were secretive about which next of kin are with them. The Obama administration, on the other hand, has "transparency" as one of its mottoes, remember? He is living up to his word and like it or not, the First Family trips to foreign countries are one of the perks of the Presidency.

By the way--you are not alone trying to cope with these hard economic times. I work 10-12 hours a day with no overtime pay. I don't complain and I am just thankful that I still have a job. Like most, I have already started tightening my belt since the 2nd half of 2008. I am confident that the current administration will help alleviate, if not totally solve, the depressing economic situation we are all in, by the end of his term. I always bear in mind that it took 8 years to get us into this economic abyss, so it will take maybe longer to get us out of this rut. Patience is the virtue to hang on to!