U.S. Median Household income: $50,233 (2007, U.S. Census Bureau)
Cost per hour to operate Air Force One*: $60,000-70,000 (media reports; cost varies due to varying aircraft weight, altitudes, duration of flight, jet fuel costs)
Estimated cost of Monday’s White House-approved Statue of Liberty photo-op: $100,000 (minimum estimate; including operational costs of accompanying Air Force F-16 jet)
The dramatic yet infuriating Manhattan fly-around by Air Force One merely reveals anew the chasm between Barack Hussein Obama’s campaign rhetoric and his conduct as President of the United States.
This is a man who preaches personal sacrifice and conservation, yet smuggly heats the Oval Office to levels that one aide jested would permit the growing of orchids.
This is the Obama who wagged his finger at Americans last year on the campaign trail, chiding citizens to sacrifice in the name of global leadership.
Remember this Teleprompter-inspired flourish?
“We can’t drive our SUVs and eat as much as we want and keep our homes on 72 degrees at all times,” he said. “That’s not leadership.”
Perhaps the failure to mention Boeing 747 fuel burn rates was not a mere oversight.