Jan 07 2009
Bushes’ Spend over $500k on Dinnerware - Thoughts?
$500k Dinnerware Expenditure
by: L Jones
OH NO SHE DIDN’T! My fellow thinkers, on 7 January 2009 first-lady Laura Bush proudly posed for photographers, as she displayed a plate from the official George W. Bush state china that the Bush family had commissioned for the White House. The china set is valued at near a half million dollars. Did you hear what I wrote? I said a half million dollars. Let me show you the zeroes. $485,000. Are you serious? Typical right?
Well, I couldn’t believe this, so I had to do a little digging and this is what I came up with., It’s not that unusual for the first-lady to unveil sets of china prior to leaving the White House. Nancy Reagan and Hilliary Clinton both had china commissioned for the White House prior to their departure from the White House. My only issue with this presentation of dishware is the timing. The country is just simply not in usual times and the expenditure seems a bit excessive considering the state of the economy. With people losing homes, jobs, savings and hope, nearly a half million dollars for some dishes seems to be the same poor judgment the banks, car manufacturers and the housing market have put on display for the world to see. Fortunately though, there is some good news.The et of china, crafted by Lenox was not purchased by taxpayers dollars. What a relief. It was instead purchased by the White House Historical Association , a charitable nonprofit institution whose purpose is to enhance the understanding, appreciation and enjoyment of the White House.
My thoughts are that I love the pattern and the gesture, but the timing of its unveiling sucks. It’s nothing worse than struggling to make it and looking on television and see someone wasting money. A half million dollars would go nicely with paying for my children’s college tuition or the purchase of a home. Dishes? What a waste. Let me know what you think.
I know the money used was from a private fund earmarked for purchasing items for the White House. I understand that it’s a tradition for the First Lady to buy new china. But come on … America is in trouble! I say spending such a large sum of money on dinnerware while our economy is in such bad shape is a frivolous slap in the face.
Nikkiac, I agree with you 100%. I think it is a slap in the face as well, but if some organization wants to put up that amount of money for some dishes, what can we do but get upset? That’s it. I know the money could have been used for something better, but I just don’t think money management was this administrations concern.