Yet Another First for the American Presidency

An article on NBC broke the news that Obama is going to Copenhagen to push for Chicago's bid to the 2016 Olympics Games. Obama is the first American president who is travelling to the International Olympics Committee vote.

How much money does it cost us to travel internationally?
Is this really the most important issue for our President?
Why would he push for the Olympics to be held in the U.S. when most Olympic cities loose money in the long run? Aren't we in enough financial trouble?

This is just another example of Obama's lack of proper focus and his disregard for our financial situation.

Is our President tackling the Afghanistan War? The Health Care Debate? The Economy? No, he is going to to Europe to encourage them to have an event in the United States that will likely leave his "beloved city" in debt. Not to mention the corruption of the Chicago politicians. I can just see the breaking news now. Chicago has some of the most corrupt politicians in the country and the idea of them handling this financial mess is a little frightening.


Apart from Los Angeles in 1984, every Olympics has lost in the end. (Bejing doesn't count since there is no transparency and they don't pay their workers competitive rates.) The 2012 London Olympics have already run up a $15 billion bill with more to come. Since the economy is bad, much of the private donations has become obsolete. The government has been forced to step in and drain the contingency fund more quickly than expected. The Montreal Games were a financial disaster: costs spiraled to four times their original estimate, and Canada only finished paying back the debt three years ago after heavy borrowing.

How about we talk about the cost of having Obama travel to Copenhagen?? Considering that just to run the presidential jet for an hour can cost anywhere from $34,000 to $56,000 this little hop across the pond is pretty pricey. Also consider that there are at least 2 planes that travel with the President. Not to mention the cost of security for the President AND the accommodations, food, other travel costs for all those traveling in the entourage. I mean! C'mon, this is not going to be just a couple thousand dollars!

Our President has talked to the Commander of our War in Afghanistan 1 time but he is taking time out to talk about the Olympics-- CRAZY!