The
White House took a $1 million dollar hit because of budget cuts. $1
million dollars is all that is standing between the citizens of this
country and being able to visit the White House.
Currently
the White House spends the following on 'essentials'
- $100,000 for a dog trainer
- $300,000 for three calligraphers
The
White House budget amounts to $500 million a year. Of this the tours
is budgeted at $4.3 million. The cuts as a result of the sequester
amount to $350,000 - $50,00 less than the cost of the dog trainer and
three calligraphers.
To put
it into perspective. The Capitol Visitors Center is taking a $2
million dollar hit. The Capitol though continues to offer visits
despite these cuts. Are these cuts really a result of the sequester
or are they a way for the White House to politicize the cuts
resulting from the sequester? Think of it this way. What will impact
the American public react to more? Cuts on aid to such countries like Egypt, Pakistan
or the Sudan? Or stopping visits to the White House?
Cuts
to countries will have little or no media impact on the public. Not very dramatic. Yet on the other hand –
limiting or eliminating visits to the White House will. That has media
impact. I remember going as a kid to visit the White House - it has a lasting impression. President
Obama has decided to deprive the children of this nation of a
potentially life long memory – because of the sequester. President
Obama will tell us that closure of the White House is a result of the
Republicans.
Let
the President know that you are upset by the fact that visits to the
White House are being eliminated. Is it more important for the
President to continue his Golf outings then for our children to be
able to visit the White House - let us remember that the White House is our house. It is self serving of the President to
cancel visits to the White House. It is also the President playing
politics and trying to force his oppositions hand. Let him know you
are not happy.
The
President can be emailed here.
