Do taxes pay for the President's meals?

Yeah, like above me, it's all technically taxpayers' money. I remember a discussion started here a few months ago, about Obama spending X amount of dollars to travel. Someone came in defending the money, citing that it was "in his budget." Well, that "argument" doesn't fly with me. They set their own budgets, their own salaries, and spend whatever they want at our expense. I won't go on the warpath over food. The guy and his family have to eat. But our taxes pay for everything these politicians do, so someone should be there every step of the way to hold them accountable. I can understand our President living a little higher than the average man. We don't need him eating at McDonald's or buying suits from the 5 and dime. But go down the list - EVERY schmuck politician out there, no matter how useless, lives it up and passes us the bill.

in one way or the other, yes. But even worse than that, we pay for his partys.

They have to pay for their own food.

Actually, Obama receives a bill each month for the food he, his family, and any personal guests eat at the White House. Of course, if he pays the bill with the salary he is paid for being President; since the taxpayers pay his salary they are also paying for his food.

I am pretty sure they do, and all the meals for all the guests as well. Grrrrr.

I once got a list of governmental perks in email form at work. I was astounded at the things they had paid for them. I rather doubt any of that has changed. The president pays for the groceries but state functions are paid by taxes. I was astounded to learn that the legistlators give themselves bonuses and raises and such. This was ten years ago. I hope things have changed since then.

Such interesting responses to your question flowerchilde. Regardless of who sits behind the desk in the Oval Office, the President is on duty 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 12 months out of the year. He does not have the option of calling in sick or taking a vacation where he has the luxury of turning off his *work* cell like many of the rest of us do. He also does not have the luxury of leaving his *job site* and going *home* in the evening. Since he and his family are required to live where he works, I find it fairly petty to be concerned about who foots the bill for feeding them. In addition, as part of is responsibilities as the Head of State, he's required to entertain visiting dignitaries from around the world and that more often than not, includes feeding them. I'm sorry if this offends some but the United States is *supposed* to be the most powerful country in the world so beans and weenies sends the wrong message.

If you have any doubt, they will assure you that even the president take the food, he still consider the affairs of state.