Are our vacations really this important?

1. 81

   Team Wisemanposted 10 years ago

   Are our vacations really this important?
   
   Barack Obama says that there simply is not any money available for White House tours...
   
   ...but the Obamas are able to spend hundreds of millions of dollars on exotic vacations. In August, Obama and his family will be spending 8 days in a beautiful home on the Massachusetts island of Martha's Vineyard.

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2. 88

   mattforteposted 10 years ago

   One of the most stressful jobs in the world?
   No, the family should just live without sight nor sound of their father for 8 years. No vacations for them. Get off their back.
   Focus your energy on the bank CEO's making hundreds of millions of dollars in BONUSES so they can go on vacation with OUR bailout money. I'm concerned with whether or not he is trying to pass the policies I voted him in to pass, not where he spends time with his family.

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   1. 88

      mattforteposted 10 years agoin reply to this

      I might add: Look at how much the president has aged since being elected into office. That job is NOT healthy. Shame on anybody trying to pick him or any other president apart for taking vacations, especially if you've ever taken one from your job.

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3. 91

   Georgie Loweryposted 10 years ago

   I'm not trying to be a smarty pants, but how, exactly is a trip to Martha's Vineyard an exotic vacation? And how can that trip cost anywhere in the ballpark of hundreds of millions of dollars? Also, most other jobs come with vacation time, why not the President's?

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4. 66

   marwan asmarposted 10 years ago

   Sounds great, let him have a ball, get away from it all, if he can, he probably deserve it, why should he be any less

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5. 91

   Gabriel Wilsonposted 10 years ago

   I'm going to answer this question in a general sense. Yes vacations are our time out with family and friends and they are very important. Children need to spend quality time sometimes with their family. This is when they build memories and get to see the fun side of their parents. It's a crucial bonding time for the busy family.
   Adults too need to get away from it all. Our brains need a rest from the pressures of our every day lives as do our bodies. A break from work regardless of the job rejuvenates us, gives us energy to get back into the fold and work hard again.
   
   My Gran used to say: "There's no point flogging a dead horse."
   It's true if you're dead tired and under stress you're not going to perform well in the workplace or any other place. A vacation doesn't have to be for weeks or cost a fortune, but a little time away to relax and rest is difinitley important.

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6. 79

   cebutouristspotposted 10 years ago

   Regardless who you are and what you do a vacation is important.  May it be an 8 days getaway or simply a day the time spent away from work is important and spent that time either with family and friends or simply just with yourself.

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7. 67

   sarahmooseposted 10 years ago

   I have to agree that the Obama family deserve to spend time together, at least it will only be 8 days. In the UK, the politicians have a summer recess from 18th July to 2nd September. That's longer than the school summer breaks here!!

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8. 89

   suzettenaplesposted 10 years ago

   Yes, vacations are important to anyone no matter what their status or position in life.  It is a time to "let down", relax and nourish the soul.  It is a break in the routine and monotony of life and are important to anyone in life.  It is a time to "recharge the batteries" and get a different perspective on life.  It is time to find a release from the stresses of job and life. 
   
   As far as Obama and the presidents, it is important for them to get away from Washington DC and all the stresses and strain that goes along with the job.  It is time to reconnect with family and friends.  Although the presidents are 'on call' at all times during their vacations, it is good for them to relax and enjoy their own country.  I don't begrudge any president a vacation and leads to balance in their lives.  I don't want an over-stressed, over-worked president making a lesser decision because they are tired and stressed.  Balance is important for all people, the president included, in life.
   
   I know we sometimes begrudge the presidents their luxury vacations where money is spent on place, accommodations and security.  Yet, doesn't the president deserve this for all the time and 'on call' time he gives to the country?   I see nothing wrong with Obama vacationing on Martha's Vineyard.  It is not that exotic and only for eight days.  One day more than a week.  I don't think that is out of the question.   If there is a crisis, Obama will be back in DC immediately. 
   
   I want a president who is thoughtful, bright, and lives a balanced life.  Life in the fishbowl of DC is difficult enough.

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9. 83

   tonymead60posted 10 years ago

   Holidays are essential for happy families, time to spend with each other instead of work.
   Do they really spend 'hundreds of millions' on a holiday, that must be fun however even one hundred million on a holiday sounds a bit excessive and quite sufficient to me.

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10. 60

    Cassie Smithposted 10 years ago

    Let Obama and his family have his vacation.  The guy is a wreck.  He's out of ideas, he can't turn the economy around and he's saddled us with more taxes which means that no one is going to find a job any time soon.  Nobody pays attention to his foreign policy because it's shown his incompetence.  By now everyone knows that he's the biggest FAIL as a president.  Let him hide out in Massachusetts. He'll come out soon enough and he won't be any better at his job.

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11. 89

    johnsonrallenposted 10 years ago

    So many people harp on this vacation business and yet presidents before him and presidents after him will do the same. Does he take a lot of vacations? In relation to my life, yes. Does he work harder than I do on my vacations? I'm sure his work day while on vacation clocks in at at least 15 hours or so....

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