Are you ready for my downer post yet? It's about Bush.

[Bucky]

Last laugh: Taxpayers pay up to $2.2 million for Bush to move out
John Byrne
Tuesday January 20, 2009

That's the sticker price taxpayers will pay to fund the final act of the Bush-Cheney era -- despite the fact both men are worth millions of dollars on their own.

"Bush and Cheney will have until July 20 to spend their transition cash, which became available to them last month, according to a congressional report," Politico's Ken Vogel wrote Tuesday morning. "It says the money is 'to facilitate their relocation to private life,' including for 'suitable office space, staff compensation, communications services, and printing and postage associated with the transition.'"

The money is provided by Congress under the 1963 Presidential Transition Act, intended to help what were once cash-strapped former presidents move out of the White House.

But that's not all. Both Bush and Cheney are set to collect generous retirement packages on the federal time. Bush could rake in up to $366,000 in the next eight months alone.

Under the 1958 Former Presidents Act -- a second piece of legislation intended to help retiring commanders-in-chief puts Bush on the payroll at the pay level of cabinet members, $196,700 in 2009. Plus he's eligible for $95,000 in office rent, $15,000 in phone charges, $50,000 for staff salaries and benefits and $11,000 for travel, under legislation likely to be approved by legislators next month.

I get it with Clinton, since his postpresidential work has mostly been filling in the gaps left over by Bush's anemic foriegn policy initiatives--although in the last four years or so, the Clinton Global Initiative is mostly self-funding and doesn't need the boost. But what the hell is Dubya gonna do? I don't think I could get much of a retirement after just 8 years on a job--especially with all the personal days he took!

Grouse, grouse, grouse.

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

1. and the wingers complain about the cost of Obama's Inauguration

which AIN'T being paid by us. Figures.

[stopbush]

2. Money well spent, IMO.

[NYC Liberal]

3. If we could have paid $2.2 million to get them to leave years ago

I'd be FINE with that!

[xultar]

8. My thoughts exactly.

[Chiyo-chichi]

4. Your "Bushbama" has burned my retinas.

[alwysdrunk]

9. I was just about to complain about that

That shit is bugged out dude.

[Chiyo-chichi]

10. well said.

[Bucky]

14. I think you'd have to be reading more into this picture than what I intended

It's a transition picture---get it? A peaceful transition of power being the hallmark of a stable democracy--presumedly something that should be celebrated on a board called Democratic Underground.

I apologize if it truly offends you, but you should know I think your offensive is based on a misreading.
Anyway, I'll get bored with it in a day or so and then it'll be gone.

[Chiyo-chichi]

15. I'm sure your intentions were good and I don't mean to impugn your artistic abilities...

I'm not reading anything into it. It just creeps me out on a gut level.

My apologies.

[Bucky]

13. !!

Thank you.

[dsc]

5. I have no problem at all paying this

He was President and has earned the benefit we have given to every President since Ike.

[Bucky]

11. I don't think he really SHOULD be denied this, but don't you think "earned it" is a bit strong?

The man took over two years worth of vacation days. He's so damn lucky presidents don't get annual performance reviews.

[Lost-in-FL]

6. I don't have a problem with that...

since it would cost more keeping him around longer.

[Lint Head]

7. Yah Hoo!

Woooooo Hooooooooooo!

[WinkyDink]

12. Worth every penny.