Bush ready to make REAL money
@thegreatdebater (7316)
United States
February 25, 2009 6:49pm CST
I read an article on Politico about Bush's new career as a public speaker. He is following a long line of presidents who left office and went on tour the world giving speeches to small crowds for large amounts of money (we all remember Bush Sr.'s trip to Japan when he up chucked on the Japanese prime minister). Should the American people know who is paying for these engagements? Although he is a private citizen, should we know if some of the decisions that the president made are being paid back now?
4 people like this
7 responses
@Vladilyich1 (1454)
• Canada
26 Feb 09
I think this is a great idea. GWB doing public speaking will keep several hundred comedians in work.
Any organization willing to pay fees like that deserves what they get.
I could care less who's paying him, as long as it's not me. I seriously doubt he'll turn a profit at this profession, either.
@thegreatdebater (7316)
• United States
27 Feb 09
Thanks for your comment. What do you think the American people will say when GWB speaks at Exxon/Mobil, for a few million, when they made record profits throughout his presidency? What would stop a corporation from entering into an agreement with a president to do what they what in return for a few million in speaking engagements? I think that there should be some over sight of president after they lead office.
@Vladilyich1 (1454)
• Canada
2 Mar 09
The American people are beginning to think as highly of the major corporations (Exxon/Mobil) as they currently do about Bush. Most just wish he would move to his ranch in Paraguay and disappear from the earth.
@danishcanadian (28953)
• Canada
26 Feb 09
My husband (Vladilyich1) said it all. As much as I appreciate Obama, I do miss all the Bush humour out there on the comedy network (even on the Canadian comedy network). Maybe with bush doing a public speaking job will give the commedians something to talk about. LOL
2 people like this
@rsa101 (37969)
• Philippines
26 Feb 09
Well I hope he is not able to get money from the government anymore except his retirement money. I think since he is a private citizen now he is now free to use his own personal money and make good use of it if he wants to. For as long there is no government money involve in his endeavor then I think he is free to do what he wants to do with his money. I think the Bush is very rich person as he owns a big ranch in his hometown.
2 people like this
@anniepa (27955)
• United States
26 Feb 09
I saw where Bush said it was time to "replenish the ole coffers". It has to have been rough for someone like him to have had to squeak by on $400,000 a year for all this time! I can't really imagine anyone paying him for public speaking so I'm thinking maybe it's a group of comedians who feel it will be worth it to keep them in new material...lol!
Annie
1 person likes this
@jonesy123 (3948)
• United States
26 Feb 09
Why not? And at this point, well, it's none of our business anymore as he no longer is in our employment. Pay back for past decisions? Doubtful, lol. He has no real power anymore, so why should those who supposedly got a favor want to give him money now to speak there? There is nothing to gain.
Some people just like to surround themselves with big names and like to show off who they can get for their events (same with music stars and actors). Why shouldn't he cash in on that?
1 person likes this
@thegreatdebater (7316)
• United States
27 Feb 09
Thanks for your response. How would you feel if the Tech industry paid Bill Clinton $4 Million for keeping the fear of Y2K alive so they could make billions off of corporate America? How will you feel when you look at all of the corporations that made record profits paying GWB millions to preach to the choir? Explain to me the difference between this, and bribery?
@thegreatdebater (7316)
• United States
28 Feb 09
Jonesy, from my response to yours, I am sure you must have forgot the fact that I mentioned Clinton. This is not going after Bush, it is going after all former presidents, and how this effects public policy. I noticed you mentioned Clinton's relationship with people in the Arab world that we don't have great relationships with. But, I noticed you forgot about Bush Sr. relationship with the Bin Laden family. You also forgot about all of the money that Bush made working for you the Caryle Group, investing much of the Saudi royal family, and the Bin Laden families money.
I understand what you are saying about the constitution, but the president of the United States isn't free to speak freely on certain subjects. I am not attacking one president, I am believe that we should have an investigation into ALL of the presidents paid actions after they left office.
@thegreatdebater (7316)
• United States
28 Feb 09
Taskr, to answer your question: YES. It bothered me when I first saw Bush Sr. do it, and it bothered me when Clinton did as well. I think the American people should know if some company, person, or government bought our president.
