What is the role of the First Lady? According to Wikipedia,
” First Lady” is not an elected position, carries no official duties, and receives no salary. Nonetheless, she attends many official ceremonies and functions of state either along with, or in place of, the President. There is a strong tradition against the First Lady holding outside employment while occupying the office.[2] The first lady frequently participates in humanitarian and charitable work; over the course of the 20th century it became increasingly common for first ladies to select specific causes to promote, usually ones that are not politically divisive. It is common for the first lady to hire a staff to support these activities. Additionally, many have taken an active role in campaigning for the President with whom they are associated.
Serving lunch to the homeless does provide a photo op but we predict Michelle will soon tire of this as a regular gig. The woman is an attorney! She didn’t pass the bar by dressing up in a salmon sweater and serving lunches. Mostly, it gives the press something to talk about and reminds us that we have a new President and “change is coming”. We suspect the Asian factory worker who made her J. Crew sweater could care less about the American economy. They’re not watching the news and feeling any pride that she’s wearing a sweater that they made.
In the upcoming health care summit the President has these words to say in his opening speech:
“The cost of health care now causes a bankruptcy in America every 30 seconds. By the end of the year, it could cause 1.5 million Americans to lose their homes,” according to an excerpt of his opening remarks released by the White House.
“If we want to create jobs and rebuild our economy, then we must address the crushing cost of health care this year, in this administration. Making investments in reform now, investments that will dramatically lower costs, won’t add to our budget deficits in the long-term – rather, it is one of the best ways to reduce them,” according to another excerpt.
A bankruptcy every 30 seconds?? At this pace Mrs. Obama won’t be able to keep up with all the lunch photo ops.
