Benefits Packages for Former Presidents

[Ben]

I thought this was an interesting and unexpected summary. W Bush makes a lot of phone calls. Weird that all they left Nancy Reagan was postage. Seems like health insurance would have made more sense.

http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/misc/RL34631.pdf

[HankB]

IMHO, the ONLY things an ex-President ought to get are:

1. Normal pension. At nearly $200k today, that's more than sufficient to keep him out of poverty.

2. Secret Service protection - yes, every POTUS makes nasty enemies, making them lifelong targets.

3. Early access to Medicare if he's under 65 when he leaves office; otherwise extend normal veteran's benefits since he served as Commander-in-Chief.

Office and staff? Nada. As a FORMER fed.gov employee, he needs no taxpayer-funded office, staff, or travel.

[AZRedhawk44]

Half a million dollars for office space?

No.

Just say no.


The idea of lifetime salary of about $200k is already bad enough.  Bush II is raking in $1.3 million a year on this scheme.  Bubba is getting nearly $1 million.  

Why the heck do these guys need $20,000/month office suites, on the public's dime?  

[Fly320s]

IMHO, the ONLY things an ex-President ought to get are:

1. Normal pension. At nearly $200k today, that's more than sufficient to keep him out of poverty.
   Only if he has done 20+ years continuous service in FedGov. Otherwise, he gets his 401k, just like you and me.

2. Secret Service protection - yes, every POTUS makes nasty enemies, making them lifelong targets.
   No. Only for active presidents.

3. Early access to Medicare if he's under 65 when he leaves office; otherwise extend normal veteran's benefits since he served as Commander-in-Chief.
   No. Follow the same rules you and I follow.

Office and staff? Nada. As a FORMER fed.gov employee, he needs no taxpayer-funded office, staff, or travel.
   Agreed.

There, that's better.

[Scout26]

IMHO, the ONLY things an ex-President ought to get are:

1. Normal pension. At nearly $200k today, that's more than sufficient to keep him out of poverty.
Okay fine.

2. Secret Service protection - yes, every POTUS makes nasty enemies, making them lifelong targets.
Agreed

3. Early access to Medicare if he's under 65 when he leaves office; otherwise extend normal veteran's benefits since he served as Commander-in-Chief.
Umm, no.  The USSC determined that the President is NOT part of the military (Thanks Bill Clinton!).  He gets Obamacare or whatever he choses to pay fo rout of his $200K pocket.

Office and staff? Nada. As a FORMER fed.gov employee, he needs no taxpayer-funded office, staff, or travel.
Yep.  You want all that stuff, it comes out of the President's "stash".

[kgbsquirrel]

IMHO, the ONLY things an ex-President ought to get are:

1. Normal pension. At nearly $200k today, that's more than sufficient to keep him out of poverty.

2. Secret Service protection - yes, every POTUS makes nasty enemies, making them lifelong targets.

3. Early access to Medicare if he's under 65 when he leaves office; otherwise extend normal veteran's benefits since he served as Commander-in-Chief.

Office and staff? Nada. As a FORMER fed.gov employee, he needs no taxpayer-funded office, staff, or travel.

[Waitone]

Cut out the office expenses and let them design an office in their libraries which are constructed with private donation.

Secret service protection?  Yup.  PX privileges?  I'm good.  $200K as a pension?  I'm good.  After all, we want them comfortable so we know where to go to arrest them for crimes committed while in office.

[Zardozimo Oprah Bannedalas]

Secret Service protection for former presidents? Sure, they make enemies. So do lots of cops, soldiers, and DMV employees. I realize governance will be affected if a sitting president is killed off - but the death of a has-been politician will have no real impact outside his social circle. As a taxpayer, I don't see how I benefit from spending lots of cash to protect a has-been.

The pension seems unnecessary, since these guys managed to raise many millions to run, and can make scads of money via speaking engagements and books. I say let them keep the pension, they can use that to hire their own security.

[vaskidmark]

Nancy voluntarily waived all benefits.  Class act.

stay safe.

[lee n. field]

Benefits Packages for Former Presidents

Protective custody?

[cordex]

Protective custody?

Hmm ... I like this idea.  Maybe someplace with nice weather. Don't we have a facility in Cuba they have been making noises about idling?  Should be about perfect.

[lee n. field]

Hmm ... I like this idea.  Maybe someplace with nice weather. Don't we have a facility in Cuba they have been making noises about idling?  Should be about perfect.

I'll bet the beachfront is wonderful.