If Obama doesn't like generous public sector pensions, should he renounce his own?

[Karmadillo]

And maybe vow not to make money giving speeches to fat cats?

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_is_the_US_president's_pension_pay

What is the US president's pension pay?

Answer:

The retirement benefits received by former Presidents include a pension, Secret Service protection, and reimbursements for staff, travel, mail, and office expenses. The Presidential pension is not a fixed amount, rather it matches the current salary of Cabinet members (or Executive Level I personnel), which is $191,300/year as of March, 2008

http://m.ibtimes.com/bush-clinton-speaking-fees-149338.html

May 20, 2011 3:51 PM EDT
Like Clinton, Bush Raking In Big Money On Speaking Circuit

Former president George W. Bush is earning big bucks making speeches, with a fee of between $100,000 and $150,000 per appearance.

According to iWatch News, Bush has raked in about $15 million on a speaking circuit since vacating the Oval Office, while maintaining a relatively low public profile.

<edit>

Bush’s predecessor, Bill Clinton, has also made a mint making speeches around the world.

According to CNN, Clinton amassed $65 million in speaking fees from 2001 to 2009. In 2009 alone, he took home $7.5 million from 36 speeches.

more...

[gateley]

1. I think Presidents give up a lot and work for their pension (with the

exceptions of Reagan and W who just signed what they were told). I don't begrudge them this at all. Their lives are at risk BECAUSE of their office, SS detail is only right.

[Bluebear]

4. Presidents give up a lot?!

[elleng]

12. ...

:thumbsup:

[Bluebear]

2. Yes and give up his "Cadillac plan" insurance

[Karmadillo]

17. +1

nt

[ChandlerJr]

3. Maybe the pension should be means tested.

Good for the goose and all that.

[Bluebear]

5. Welcome to DU!

[Bluebear]

6. Welcome to DU!

[Bluebear]

7. Welcome to DU!

[Bluebear]

8. Ah the seldom achieved triple welcome glitch!

[ChandlerJr]

9. Thank you Thank you Thank you

Gosh.

[Sherman A1]

10. Precisely

[elleng]

11. Doesn't 'like?'

:wtf:
What the President said:

http://www.salon.com/news/politics/barack_obama/?story=/opinion/walsh/politics/2011/08/16/obama_on_unions

[Karmadillo]

13. Here's the quote I was referring to. I just think he should be the change he wants to see by

dealing with his own very generous pension and health care benefits and maybe also the de facto pension of "earning" huge sums on the fat cat speech circuit after his presidency ends. It might set a good example for others to follow.

http://www.fox47.com/newsroom/top_stories/videos/vid_1961.shtml

<edit>

I do say, though, to my friends in the public sector unions that it is important that you are on the side of reform where reform is needed. Because the truth of the matter is, is that at a time when everybody is belt-tightening, there is nothing wrong with a union saying to itself, you know what, we know budgets are hard right now. Let’s sit down and say we’re willing to negotiate so that we’re making some sacrifices to maintain the number of teachers in the classroom and keep class sizes at a reasonable level. We’re willing to make some modifications in terms of how our pension systems work so that they’re sustainable for the next generation of teachers as long as it’s a conversation, as opposed to it simply being imposed and collective bargaining rights being stripped away.

So I think it’s important -- remember we talked about shared sacrifice and burden sharing. Well, this is an area where there’s got to be burden sharing as well. If a public sector employee is able to retire at 55 with 80 percent of their wages, and the average public sector employee has got a 401(k) that they’ve just seen decline by about 20 percent and they have no idea how they’re going to retire, and they’re feeling burdened by a lot of taxes and they don’t feel like the public sector employers are making any adjustments whatsoever to reflect the tough economic realities that are facing folks who are not protected, then there’s going to be a natural backlash.

[elleng]

15. And doing these things would accomplish what, exactly?

'dealing with his own very generous pension and health care benefits and maybe also the de facto pension of "earning" huge sums on the fat cat speech circuit after his presidency ends.'

Sounds like you just don't like his success.

FYI, I have his same health care benefits, as being married to a fed. gov. 'ee, and I've got a fed. gov. pension.
Newer Fed. retirees pensions are, in fact, tagged to markets ups and downs.

[Karmadillo]

18. If he believes workers should recognize they have to give up some of their

pension benefits, he could set a good example by leading the way.

[Bluerthanblue]

14. he's already stated that he believes he should be paying higher

taxes- publicly and plainly. When he talks about raising taxes on the wealthy, he says that will include him.


He's not bitching about taxing the wealthy like many of the republican/tea-partiers are.

I'm not so sure that it is a question of "liking" public sector pensions- did you hear his entire comment or only the clip that is being used to twist his position??

have a read here if you haven't already.

http://www.salon.com/news/politics/barack_obama/?story=/opinion/walsh/politics/2011/08/16/obama_on_unions

[elleng]

16. Ditto, Blue.

[Tx4obama]

19. Obama will have to personally pay MILLIONS & MILLIONS for security after leaving office after 10 yrs

The law regarding secret service protection was changed and presidents after 1997 get secret service protection once they leave office for only 10 years. It will cost Obama TONS of money to keep him and his family safe for the rest of their lives.
See OP on link below.
---

This is why no one should criticize President Obama for making tons of money after leaving office:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=433x745511

[Karmadillo]

20. One would hope that would make him more sympathetic to people who have to pay rent &

feed their family &, if lucky, send their kids to school, but can't because they don't have a job. And maybe more sympathetic to those who rely on Social Security & Medicare. Not sure why the populace should live on less while the president must be allowed to live on more.

[Generic Other]

21. Shared sacrifice

It means all of us. dON'T FORGET THESE FOLKS.



Rank-and-File Members:
The current salary (2011) for rank-and-file members of the House and Senate is $174,000 per year.

Congress: Leadership Members' Salary (2011)
Leaders of the House and Senate are paid a higher salary than rank-and-file members.

Senate Leadership
Majority Party Leader - $193,400
Minority Party Leader - $193,400

House Leadership
Speaker of the House - $223,500
Majority Leader - $193,400
Minority Leader - $193,400

A cost-of-living-adjustment (COLA) increase takes effect annually unless Congress votes to not accept it.

[Ikonoklast]

22. Not too many people would assassinate a former police officer, fireman, or school teacher.

But I'm fairly certain Mr. Obama will have to deal with threats against him and his family for the rest of his life.

But, stay petty and vindictive, it looks good on you.