Just how many vacations are we going to have to pay for?

It's interesting how short our memories are. I, too feel that our elected officials may take too much time off. I certainly don't get that much vacation - however it's tough for me -or any of us- to understand it unless we live it. And, when a President is 'on vacation' - he is NEVER out of touch with government. He spends several hours each day being briefed on the issues of the day. But, let's look at the facts, to put Obama's vacations in perspective:

Presidents Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush spent more time on "vacation" during their first year than President Obama did. Presidents Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton spent less time on "vacation."

President Obama has spent all or part of 26 days "on vacation" during his first year as president, according to CBS News White House Correspondent Mark Knoller.

Knoller, who has covered every president since Gerald Ford and is known for keeping detailed records on presidential travel, counts the following among President Obama’s "vacations" in 2009:

■A four-day holiday weekend in Chicago in February where the president played some basketball and treated First Lady Michelle Obama to a Valentine’s Day dinner date.

■An eight-day stay with his family at a rented house on Martha’s Vineyard in August.

■ A trip out west to the U.S. states of Montana, Wyoming, Colorado and Arizona that combined both business and pleasure. The president held town hall meetings on health care during the trip. And he went fly fishing and took trips to Yellowstone National Park and the Grand Canyon with his wife and two daughters.

■An 11-day stay in Hawaii where the president and his family celebrated Christmas and New Year’s Eve.

Some of the president’s recent predecessors, however, have spent more days — either entirely or partially — away from the White House "on vacation" during their first year in office.

President Reagan, in 1981, spent all or part of 42 days away from the White House "on vacation" at his home in Santa Barbara, Calif, according to Knoller. President Reagan and his wife, Nancy, also spent three or four days around New Year’s Day each year in Palm Springs, Calif., at the home of philanthropist Walter Annenberg.

President George W. Bush spent even more time away from the presidential mansion in the nation’s capital than Reagan. Of the 77 total "vacation" trips the former president made to his Texas ranch while in office, nine of them — all or part of 69 days — came during his first year as president in 2001, according to Knoller.

Bush’s father, President George H.W. Bush, spent less time "on vacation" during his first year than his son, but spent more days than President Obama. According to travel records provided to FactCheck.org by the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum, the former president took six trips — spanning all or part of 40 days — to the Bush family compound in Kennebunkport, Maine, in 1989.

But at least two recent presidents — by Knoller’s count — took less "vacation" time during their first year than President Obama — Presidents Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton.

According to Knoller, Carter spent just 19 days "on vacation" in 1977. Most of that time, Knoller says, the former president spent at his home in Plains, Ga. President Clinton took all or part of 174 days of vacation during his eight years as president — most of that "vacation" time was during the summer, according to Knoller. But Knoller says Clinton only took 21 "vacation" days during his first year.

It’s worth mentioning that President Obama has also made 11 trips — all or part of 27 days — to Camp David, the presidential retreat in Frederick County, Md. Knoller, however, says he doesn’t count trips to Camp David as part of any presidents’ "vacation" time. But for the sake of comparison, President George W. Bush, made more trips to that country residence than Obama. According to Knoller, Bush made 25 trips — a total of 78 days — to Camp David in 2001.

So, while it may seem that the current President is 'always on vacation'. In perspective, he has taken much less than other Presidents in recent time. And, while security details much accompany the President - he generally pays for the vacations from his own, personal accounts.

Actually since the vacation was not an official trip the Obamas will pay for the daughter to go to Mexico. I do find it odd that the state department was putting out warnings about travel to Mexico and the Obamas sent their daughter there. But, she is their child and they have a right to make decisions for their own child.

I just wish Obama didn't think he had the right to make decisions for my grandchildren.

Absolutely - you get any accrued vacation pay if you are laid off or fired. They are NOT required to provide severance pay. Most companies do this as a courtesy. Be happy that they did this as opposed to you quitting. You can collect unemployment for up to 12 months.

What kind of parent allows a 13 year old go to Mexico for spring break? Stupid or just doesn't care if she gets shot?

I've never understood why politicians get so many personal expenses paid for by the taxpayer, when they already get quite significant wages.

I guess it's because when you decide how much you get paid, there is no disincentive to take money for yourself.

all of them.......this is what "those people" do......exploit everything in sight.....

to many