The Obamas lead by (bad) example

I've participated in many leadership conferences and classes over my lifetime. One basic element of effective leadership has always been that "A leader must set the example for those whom follow."

As measured only by that criterion, the Obamas fail miserably as leaders. Look, as a current example, at Michelle Obama's recent family vacation to southern Africa.

At a time when most of us worry about being able to put food on the table, gasoline in the car or pay the mortgage, the president's wife wastes millions of tax dollars in a shameless display of disregard for her husband's position, the national welfare or, especially, for economic hardships being suffered by most of her "subjects."

She's off (that's an interesting word as used here) on a completely useless, personal vacation trip to places such as the Republic of South Africa and Botswana (nice game parks there for the children). Yes, she's taking her children (they will be able to write interesting reports about "What I did on my Summer Vacation"), but she's reportedly also invited just about every relative, a few famous names and, of course, must include hair stylists, manicurists and massage therapists.

Then there's the mandatory army of government employees: security, communications, aircraft crews, motor vehicle operators and maintenance personnel, physicians, personal trainers, publicists, photographers, news personnel and hot dog vendors. Exact figures of the cost are nearly impossible to come by, because many of those are unnecessarily hidden under the cover of "security."

It's safe, I think, to estimate that the total cost, to you and me, comes to several million dollars a day.

Mrs. Obama's trip apparently has no purpose other than personal pleasure. News reports tell of her encouraging speeches to girls' schools in RSA and to a meeting with Nelson Mandela, whom she credits with making her and Barack "who they are."

Other than that (which is irrelevant to this nation), it appears that the trip is a misdirected attempt to get her children in close touch with their heritage, while also enjoying the elephants and lions. Trouble with that is: No slave brought to the Americas from Africa came from southern Africa, where she's visiting. If Michelle is trying to teach her children about their ancestry, she should be up on the Ivory Coast — but hasn't the family already been there, done that, also at very significant expense to taxpayers?

A bright young man, with whom I spoke just this morning, opined that Mrs. Obama, well recognizing that her joy ride in the Big House will unavoidably come to an end next year, has decided, "To hell with public opinion, I'm gonna get mine while I can! So refuel those Air Force intercontinental transports; load 'em up with chocolate covered strawberries and French champagne; we still have lots of places to take Grandma and the kids before we're kicked out of office. What? You say that I shouldn't be flitting around the world at my subjects' expense, when many can't afford to buy bread? Let 'em eat cake. That's what I meant, when I advised those young girls in Johannesburg to aim high — go for the cake, instead of the bread!"