White House Tours Cut Speaks Volumes

The fact that President Obama cut White House tours speaks volumes. This high profile move appears to be a another deliberate attempt to make any cuts to government spending as visible and as painful as possible. The Secret Service, which made the decision to stop providing security for the tours said it was due to its own budget cuts under the sequester.” The White House Visitors Office put out the following announcement ;

Due to staffing reductions resulting from sequestration, we regret to inform you that White House Tours will be canceled effective Saturday, March 9, 2013 until further notice. Unfortunately, we will not be able to reschedule affected tours.

 We very much regret having to take this action, particularly during the popular Spring touring season. Please check this webpage for updates regarding this situation, or contact the White House Visitors Office 24 Hour Hotline at (202) 456-7041.


Sincerely,

The White House Visitors Office .

We can put the blame for this highly visible act on several, possible, different people or departments, but the President is residing in "our" White House, as our temporary guest, it is his job to make it assessable to the people, the buck stops with him. When you think that just operating Air Force 1 for an hour cost one hundred and eighty thousand dollars you quickly see what a farce halting the tours is. Shortening just one trip would allow tours to resume.

The fact that these games continue to be played says a lot about Washington. I immediately think back as to how Barack Obama gave a "New Year's gift" to returning members of Congress, Vice President Joe Biden and a slew of other federal workers when he recently signed an executive order calling for an end to a years-long pay freeze. By taking this action while many Americans are suffering and America's budget is out of control Obama makes a mockery out of any claims that he is concerned.

And if I may share a humorous comment concerning the Federal budget squeeze that came over my screen; *Next Month, the Immigration Service will begin deporting Seniors (instead of illegals) in order to lower Social security and Medicare costs.  Older people are easier to catch and less likely to remember how to get back home.

Footnote; The post concerning his executive order can be found below,
                    http://brucewilds.blogspot.com/2012/12/obama-orders-pay-raises-mocking-fiscal.html