Last year the American taxpayers forked over $3.7 million to pay for the 4 remaining presidents: George W. Bush, Bill Clinton, Jimmy Carter and George H.W. Bush. And that amount doesn’t include their lifetime allotment of Secret Service, according to the Congressional Research Service.
When Harry S. Truman’s term as president ended and left the White House, he could barely pay his bills, so the incoming administration during the incumbency of Dwight Eisenhower approved the former Presidents Act into law. Since then, all outgoing ex-presidents have been guaranteed an enviable allowance that covers their pension, office, staff, travel, even postage. Those numbers when added means something.
Report says George W. Bush spent $1.3 million last year, and part of that money was used to build 8,000 square feet of office space in Dallas. Bill Clinton also spent close to million bucks on office space. The elder Bush enjoyed taxpayer-funded benefits of $850,000 dollars. Close to $500,000 went to Jimmy Carter.
Former presidents earned additional income besides. Bill Clinton and “Bush 43” pocketed speaking fees from $10 to $15 million mark last year alone.
Wasteful spending is Congress favorite topic these days, you would think lawmakers would try to outdo each other by reigning in presidential perks. But, when Rep. Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah, introduced a bill to limit costs to a $200,000 pension, plus another $200,000 in pocket change, the bill didn’t even make it out of committee. It was unheard of since then.
Are lawmakers contented of letting ex-presidents run up the bill?
However not everyone is thinking of money. Presidential widow Nancy Reagan turned down her $20,000 pension last year.
Source: Ex-presidents costs taxpayers millions
Comments: Congress and lawmakers themselves knew what amount of money is decent enough for a man to survive for a month in a place like the USA. So knowing this certain amount of money as basis, lawmakers must enact a law to grant benefits to retired presidents based on this amount. Or, they may repeal the existing law to prone down what are in excess of the benefits the ex-presidents are currently enjoying.
Doing so will undoubtedly help the poor Americans, especially those who are on welfare and those without jobs. From stories told by townmates coming home from the US for a vacation, they say America is a land of honey with plenty of cheap food to buy. I asked a sister of a classmate of mine, who just after finishing college migrated to New York City in the 50s. How are her children? Her children didn’t finish college because there’s no use breaking your head when job is plentiful, that was her answer to me. The picture that I’ve painted of America was that of the 50s. That was long time ago.
From what I’ve read American economy is now sick. Banks and some institutions have closed and employees are left without job. My heart goes to the 4 hapless victims who were lured to Ohio to apply for a bogus farmhand job ads listing in Craigslist website. In Ohio Richard Beasley and his accomplice Brogan Rafferty shot to kill them. Their motive was to rob and steal their identities, fortunately the 4th victim survives his injuries and became the state witness. All of the 3 victims were single and unemployed.. They responded to the ads because of the promise of a job. Would this unnecessary killings happened if American economy is okay?
4 American ex-presidents still living
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