Suzanna Logan

March 30, 2009

I know what you’re thinking, “That headline sounds like it’s from one of those picture magazines at the Piggly Wiggly. You know, the ones that say, ‘Martian baby found;’ ‘Three-headed cow shoots farmer;’ or ‘Demons influence presidential policy!’” (Wait, that last one may be from a legitimate news source.)

But, as crazy as it sounds, it’s true. After 70 days in office, the President has finally made a fiscally responsible choice. The First Couple plan to personally absorb the cost of redecorating the White House. Previous presidents have received a $100,000 budget for this, but as New York Magazine reports, the Obama’s are demonstrating “integrity in action” by paying for it themselves rather than using taxpayer funds.

And, there was much rejoicing! Wait, you’re not rejoicing. Don’t you see? Our president is saving us $100,000 by buying his own pillows and wallpaper. That’s so much money, especially when compared to the $800 billion that he’s burning on the “stimulous” bill.

Right. So it’s actually a lackluster attempt to salvage any vestige of financial credibility.

Obama may be faithful in the small things?they are planting a garden after all?but he?s muffed it on the large scale. But with brilliant PR moves like this one, that doesn’t really matter, and Obama knows it. If he can distract the media (and society with it) by tending a garden and paying for pillows, there will be much less time to notice his taxpayer-funded spending spree and the looming massive deficits.

Still, at least he’s staying true to his word and offering us “change” we can believe in. By my calculations, based on the U.S. Census Bureau’s latest report, he is saving each of us $.000333333333 cents. Maybe we could all pull our savings and buy one of those tabloids from the Piggly Wiggly?