Should The American First Lady Draw A Paycheck?

First ladies don't need paychecks. They get PLENTY of income through their spouses. Once you or your spouse has been a president of the United States, you will never have to work another day in your life, again. Presidents get paid $400,000 a year (plus an additional $160,000 for travel, entertainment, and other expenses). After retirement presidents receive almost $200,000 a year for the rest of their life. That's plenty of money to split between the spouses. Why shell out more tax money to people who already get paid enough as it is?

I honestly do not agree with this at all. For 200 years we have had first ladies who have not been paid. I mean really what is the point they do not have to pay for anything and their husband get alot of money as it is. Mrs. Obama has been known to say she disliked the United States until her husband became a politician. Now that they are in the White House she needs money. How wacked out is that? Seriously this is not right and I do not think she deserves to be paid, I say if she gets paid then all the first ladies in from the past presidents should also get paid all the way back for 200 years. Honestly I say why start now? It is not something we have ever done and why change it now? It is just simply greedy and should not happen! So that is my opinion on it.

Hello Irisheyes, "Should the First Lady Draw a Paycheck"? Interesting question, for sure! Here is my proposed answer: If the first lady is earning a paycheck for which she is CONTRACTED, then yes she should earn a paycheck! However, if she is asserting her personal 'agenda' onto the American Public, AND she is not "CONTRACTED", "HIRED', OR "ELECTED" by the American Voters for a voter approved 'agenda' then her agenda is HER OWN! As such, the American taxpayer shouldn't be paying for her personable agenda -- period!!! No IF's, AND's, or But's!!! Let us remember, and NEVER FORGET that millions and millions of Americans gladly volunteer their services each and every year. If a First Lady believes that she is above those millions and millions of Americans who volunteer their services each year -- then -- we need to seriously question the motivation of the First Lady!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Absolutely not. Not only is there no constitutional presciption for such, but it would be, as you pointed out, an extra federal paycheck. It is also not a described position. There is no "job description" for the first lady anywhere. Anything they do while they are in the white house are merely the various traditional rolls they have adopted, not hired for or positions elected to.

I made a comment to this effect but feel it is worth a full on response. I hope people will read this and think about it. To add the "position" of first lady, would be to add a position that is granted by virtue of marriage. It would essentially be a monarchial position, something both unimaginable and abhorent to this country and it's principals. It would also require a full contitutional convention to ammend the executive branch. The LAST thing this country wants, whether it realizes it or not, is a constitutional convention. Once in convention, anything toes, there is no constitution, anything can be added and anything can be removed, including the bill of rights.

Don't feel sorry for the First Lady. She makes enough money afterwards from books and charity stuff, speaking engagements etc. They also have a completely free ride in the White House and will be able to wear the finest clothes for free. The presidency is in essence a package deal. If the First Lady starts to draw a paycheck just like her husband, just because of the position she is in, well, then the First Lady would politically be a much bigger focus. She would be officially a part of the ticket. Anyhow, as of now the First Lady does not really have an official role so to speak laid out by a document such as the constitution. In theory she could lay back and do nothing. The role the First Ladies nowadays assume has grown over time. We people simply expect the spouse of the President to support the President and to appear at the President's side at most official functions. As such support the spouse takes over the oversight over the domestic functions of the White House. Again, a simple expectation of us the people that this will be done. Over time, First Ladies have taken on charity causes. This most likely is born out of the need to do something other than domestic duty and looking pretty. A President's spouse could continue to work in a position outside the White House. Michelle Obama could work in her old job, if she wanted to. However, presidential advisors would probably hate to see that. The hint of favoritism might be a problem. But as I said, if the spouse of a President would desire to have a paying job, he/she could do that. Whether they like it or not, they know what they are getting themselves into when their spouse is running for office. Some might enjoy it, some might not. I have the impression Michelle Obama will enjoy it. Anyhow, as I pointed out, the presidency is a package deal and much of what the First Lady's duties are today are based on the expectations the public has of her. If she does the job well, her spouse will shine and be re-elected. If she performs badly, well, she might be in trouble with her spouse. Her life is not much different as that of any other spouse. You see to it that your spouse makes a good impression, especially if it is work-related. This in turn will help your spouse keep his/her job and make advancements careerwise. Does the supporting spouse get paid for that? No. It's the same for the President's spouse. The public is the President's employer, so the president's spouse has to make a good impression to us and fulfill our expectations. If the First Lady should draw a paycheck, then spouses across the nation should have to draw a paycheck from their spouse's company as well, especially if they host parties for co-workers, bosses, and clients, or accompany their spouse to such events. There is no difference just because the First Lady is at a higher level.

Recognition sure...A paycheck, NO. Her husband is already bringing in enough for them both, not to mention everything she's getting paid for public speaking engagements.

I'm sure that the First Lady has a big role to fullfill but I do not see the point of giving her a salary. I mean, her husband is already on the government's payroll and since husbands and wives are supposed to share their income, she can still spend her husband's salary. Besides, parents do not need to be paid by the government for raising their children or making their homes more comfortable for the whole family.

I'm sorry but I consider the entire concept ridiculous. The first lady doesn't cook, clean, do laundry, grocery shop, or even drive her children to school the way many ordinary women do. She has professionals preparing food, laundering clothes, keeping the kitchen stocked and providing transportation for her kids to and from the BEST private schools in the country. Teenage girls working at McDonalds have rougher lives and work much harder than any first lady ever has. Presidential families don't spend their own money on ANYTHING while in office. They can take vacations around the world on the taxpayer's dime and never even report it. During Clinton's presidency, Hillary Clinton took Chelsea on an expensive trip to Africa where they did an African safari. The cost of that trip was never disclosed despite being paid for by taxpayers. In the end, her only REAL responsibility is to be a mom, assuming she has children. She doesn't have to do interviews, make speeches, or appear on any magazines. It's her own choice if she wishes to do such things. The president gets around $400,000 a year so it's not as though she doesn't have a ridiculous amount of spending money should she choose to do something that isn't on the taxpayer's dime. Heck, after all this talk, I'm kind of wishing I were a first lady... er make that first man, or first dude if you're from Alaska.

I agree with you! The American First Lady often puts in just as many hours as her husband does with little or no credit for her works.

I don't really think that they should. We already pay the president for life his salary and she put her life on hold for her husbands career. A women of this magnitude not saying Michelle Obama could do anything with their lives. They are their to support their husbands. I feel that these acts show how dedicated a wife should be to her husband just like the Bible states. The husband is the bread winner we are to raise the family and take care of the household.

No. I know that Michelle Obama has floated this trial balloon, and in my opinion, if she wants to be in government, then run for office. Period. She is a mother and a wife. She'll be a support system for her husband and children. I wouldn't say that's nothing. Why do people always belittle what spouses do that don't work?

I don't think that she should have a paycheck for all of the above mentioned reasons. I do think it's nice to recognize all that the first ladies do, though. It will be interesting to see if the "first man" will take on the traditional first lady rolls when we elected a Female president. :)

the sacrifices the first lady makes to her country are actually between her and her husband. A devoted wife who supports her husbands endeavors will make those sacrifices. Don't fool yourself into thinking that anyone of them if given a choice would not have chosen the path of first lady with all the fringe benifits. The experience of being first lady is a rare life opportunity, an honor, and quite an experience. Imagine having first lady with all the duties listed on a job resume...if ever needed after the term/s. Now if the wife is not willing then the man should not run. I believe that if there is a specific job that the first lady performs such as Good will ambassador then she should be paid....But not from the Presidents money. It should reflect that which she does not jsut cuz she holds the position.

Interesting thoughts here, and I can truly see where you are coming from. I actually feel maybe that they do need to give some special kind of stippant for the First Lady and her children, (if she has some still living at home). That would be a lot easier than her having to always ask her husband for extra $$ for getting school clothes, or special things for herself. But then again she might have some set aside for special things that the President sets aside, or a special fund we may not know about already set up. But yes, they do play quite an important part in the American Presidency and usually most of them are what helps keep their husbands motivated even when everything around them seems to be crumbling as well. We should really give more thanks and respect to these women for sure.

That is a very interesting concept. If the salary was taken from the President's pay, it would end up in the same bank account probably, but still, it would be more of a statement than anything. And a good one. Those women work their tails off! And Mrs. Obama is going to have her hands full as well. She has duties, but still she has to shield her kids from so many things because of her husband's job. And poor Mrs. Bush. She had to fight through so much just because of the media's opinion of her husband. Everything she did was scrutinized that much more!

Irisheyes, I see your point greatly. When Clinton and Obama won the Presidency, I wondered about Hillary and now Michelle. These women both have high profile careers. Laura Bush was a librarian and teacher, and she gave up her job to be at her husband's side. Me being a woman, I feel sorry for them because in a sense, they lose their incomes and identities to be with their husbands. Because of that, yes, I feel we should pay them. This isn't like when George Washington or Abraham Lincoln's time when the wives did stay at home and had no career, these are very accomplished women in their own right. So the point you make, although it is a valid point, I don't think the additional salary you mention can stop a gap into what most of these ladies were making.

No I think if the First Lady drew a paycheck it would reduce what she does in the eyes of the public. What if Hillary had ecome President (perish the thought) then Bill would have been eligible to draw a paycheck on top of the massive amount he draws from his time as President. No I definitely do not think the First Lady or Man whichever it might be in the future should draw a paycheck. They live rent free - have loads of free service - cooking cleaning and the likes - that IMO is quite enough.

No. It's a voluntary position, but one that should be considered a job if the president and his wife get divorced while he is in office or afterwards, besides, he continues to get paid after he is out of office too. thats a hefty sum as well

Last time I saw the American news, Michelle Obama was singing with the Haiti children. And she is as natural as she is sincere. A maxim goes that The success of a great man is due to a great woman beside/behind him. Let's give credit to the beauteous First Lady.