The beginning of the Secret Service  

Can you imagine not being able to go out shopping for groceries or clothes without having them with you? They probably close the buildings to regular people while you do your shopping. I remember Laura saying that it was going to be hard to get back to doing her own cooking since it had been a long time since she had done that. That is not a life for me that I'd want to lead! I like my individuality. As to the public restroom, you probably wouldn't be able to go there at all.

I just came across this bit of information:

Eisenhower, by the way, was the first former president to retain the services of a personal Secret Service bodyguard after leaving the White House but only for two weeks.

After his tenure, Harry Truman paid his own way home by train and NEVER had any secret service protection when his term was over. He refused it. Said he was just an ordinary American now, going back to an ordinary life.

Well you know, back in those days people were much more patriotic, and immigrants were actually proud to be living in America, so there was not as many threats on the president as there are now. It was just a different way of living.

I am sure they are used to it, but that doesn't mean they like it. As for Bush's record, everything you hear coming from the media isn't always the pure truth. I personally think he's been a good president. HE kept our country free of terrorism for 7 years. We wait with baited breath to see what will happen under Obama's watch - the guy who wants to sit down with the enemy without pre-conditions to have peace. It won't ever happen! Peace with these people, that is.

Actually I agree with you about Bush and I've never really had a problem with him. But today's media is so influential, especially in the U.S. and Britain, and you can bet that things are never really how they portray them. Just due to the density of your population alone, the need for heightened security is necessary from it's own people, not just terrorists. Case in point: all the stalkers who only need an inch to take a mile and end up taking a life............sad but true.

Oh, there are many people out there that would kill someone in a heart beat! And they don't have to be Presidents. There are just some people that think their way is the correct way regardless of how wrong they are. And you are right; it isn't always what we consider a terrorist! Who knows anymore who lives next to us or how they feel about things!

Exactly. It's one of the reasons I like where I live now in spite of the inconveniences. I can leave my door open 24/7 and I know all my neighbours and every single person in town well. They are often coming through that unlocked door! LOL

Yes, I understand that. I suppose that it is according to how people feel about you whether you want to keep the Secret Service people for the full ten years. There are many who never had the protection and lived their life out without any problems.

Personally I would want them for a few years but not the full ten years. At some point you would think they would want more privacy and a normal life.

I think I remember the daughter of one of the Presidents complaining because she couldn't have a real date without an agent with them. That has to be terrible for the kids!

Oh I don't know Barb...I think it's great that the youngsters are chaperoned...you wouldn't want anything to bring any unhappiness to your young one's life would you? Better safe than sorry.

Yes, that was the original reason for starting the Secret Service. And, then, after 3 assassinations, they were legislated to protect the President. Then that expanded to others.

OreoCookie, the President, beginning in 2001, began to get a salary of $400,000 a year plus other benefits. This was done in Clinton's administration to take place in 2001. Here's what I found out about the salary they receive after leaving office.

"Prior to passage by Congress of the Former Presidents Act (FPA) in 1958, retired Presidents did not receive a pension. All living Presidents in 1959 began to receive a pension of $25,000 per year, an office and a staff. The pension has increased numerous times with Congressional approval. Retired Presidents now receive a pension based on the salary of the current administration's cabinet secretaries (Executive Level I), which is $191,300 as of 2008.[19] Some former Presidents have also collected congressional pensions.[20] The FPA, as amended, also provides former presidents with travel funds and mailing privileges." http://en.wikipedia.org/w...