Opinion articles provide independent perspectives on key community issues, separate from our newsroom reporting.

Letters to the Editor

Current past presidents receive too many perks

President Barack Obama and former President George W. Bush take part in a ceremony in the East Room of the White House in Washington in May 2002 to unveil the Bush portrait. Taunted by Republicans to declare war on “radical Islamic terrorism,” Democrats are turning to an unlikely ally: George W. Bush. “I was very proud after 9/11 when he was adamant and clear about the fact that this is not a war on Islam,” Obama said recently. His message to today’s Republican leaders: “They should follow his example. It was the right one. It was the right impulse.”
President Barack Obama and former President George W. Bush take part in a ceremony in the East Room of the White House in Washington in May 2002 to unveil the Bush portrait. Taunted by Republicans to declare war on “radical Islamic terrorism,” Democrats are turning to an unlikely ally: George W. Bush. “I was very proud after 9/11 when he was adamant and clear about the fact that this is not a war on Islam,” Obama said recently. His message to today’s Republican leaders: “They should follow his example. It was the right one. It was the right impulse.” Pablo Martinez Monsivais AP File Photo

Each day I count my blessings. Thankful that I have received the Social Security check that I and others have worked hard to get. Have a home that I obtained before all the housing foreclosures and had a job to pay for it.

Have gone through the process of being a single parent trying to provide for my children. Growing up when rents were lower, when neighbors helped one another, not having radicals that shoot you just because they felt it was the right thing to do.

Our presidents probably received lots less pay and benefits, unlike the presidents we have in this era. Over the years it has led to the politicians making decisions that affect all of us.

So yes, I also wonder why presidents need to receive the income after a new president is elected and get all of the benefits that we may be denied.

And will Donald Trump work for free if he is elected? Will he live in the White House? Will he fly around in Air Force One or use his own jet?

Will he hire the right people to help with important decisions, like going to war? Other presidents have had to make that decision.

We know more about Hillary Clinton then Donald, and can only hope whomever gets in office can make the right decisions for us. They are human beings, the same as us.

Sometimes I think some of the people who write to the editor would make great politicians. They seem to make a lot of sense with their opinions, but it might be a lot different when they had politicians saying "yea' or "nay" when solving problems. They are only human.

Loraine Boney

Bradenton

This story was originally published April 30, 2016 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Current past presidents receive too many perks ."

Get unlimited digital access
#ReadLocal

Try 1 month for $1

CLAIM OFFER