Guess who spends $273,000 per year on household help

Interesting dollar figure. Wonder how much of that money they spend here in AZ and how much elsewhere? Even if you take away a third for taxes, that would still cover the salaries for between 4 and 5 teachers in AZ. (Per Indeed - average teacher salary in AZ is $40,000. Average teacher salaries for job postings in Arizona are 14% lower than average teacher salaries for job postings nationwide.)I know that isn't a fair comparison, as I don't really expect him to live as the rest of us do. I would hope though that he and his family would be willing to spend some time on the budget most of the rest of us do. I think it would make him much more aware of the trials and tribulations of the average American (let alone those of us living in his home state and suffering with the economy here.)

what we need for the nations budget is a SINGLE MOM WHO HAS 2 TO 3 CHILDREN AND CAN HOLD A JOB OR JOBS AND CAN PUT FOOD ON THE TABLE. Beleive me that woman can stay within her budget. All we have is people who make loads of money and their own money means nothing to them, therefore, why would other tax payers money mean anything to them. They already know how to spend their money, and loads of it, so now their a pro at spending tax payers money. It's out of control. I work harder now in my early 50's then I did in my 30's Go figure. Most of my friends have either one full time and one part time job/ or several part time jobs. Is this the American Way. I'm fearful for the future of young adults.

Wow. Why so much? lol

your story is the exact reason we needed new blood in office. I am not affilited with any party, but believe the office of President needs to be held by a person who knows what goes on in daily life in the real world!

I don't think a college degree should determine whether or not they would make a great president.  I'm extremely intelligent and I don't have one.  I also know a lot of highly successful people that don't.  We need someone who's going to listen to those around that don't have the voice to vote as the politicians do.  I believe our government as a whole is completely out of touch.  I'd also like to see lobbyist axed and no longer granted some of the privledges they seem to have over our government. 

I think intellectual curiosity should be a prerequisite for any president.  Being the leader of the free world requires more than being a good beer drinking partner. 

Remember that Bush's main strength was his ability to come off as a regular guy; living on a ranch, clearing brush, being plain spoken (the fact the he was raised on the east coast and went to Yale is a different conversation).

I don't mean to offend about the college degree, but I think that having an advanced education would be invaluable to understanding the complexity and nuance of the modern world.

I'll have to disagree with CrysOHara on this one. I think an advanced education in this case is VITAL! Yes, there are many who have learned from the school of hard knocks, but that type of knowledge is not what is significant to run a country of trillions, and lead a global nation, IMHO.

Abraham Lincoln did very well on little education, but the fact of the matter is, an 8th grade education in the 1800s was FAR different than it is today!

This is a new day, a new century, and in today's world, one has to be able to compete globally. I just don't believe that someone without higher education could do that. But?

Just another opinion. I don't have any prejudices against those without higher education, but do we really want a "Joe Six-Pack" running our country? Or do we want someone who is knowledgeable in world, and domestic affairs? To do that well, I believe it requires more than a High School diploma.

Ah but we have to remember, John McCain is just one of those "lucky ones" (he tells us that himself). Just today I read an article that discussed how "out of touch" Joe Biden was because he makes $310,000 a year in income. Ah... if McCain is spending almost that much  JUST for hired help, who is really the "out of touch" one here?

Does anyone realize that our forefathers wanted those that served in the government to be just like us?  They were not thinking of career politians as we have now.   The money senators and congressmen make was suppose to suppliment their income not be their income.   John McCain is seriously out of touch with all of us as are most politicians.

I agree that McCain is out of touch, but I am not sure how literally we should take the "just like us" for choosing a leader.  If we take that as an aggregate of the American population, we'd probably not have a president with a college degree.  We need a leader that has the best qualities of America and the American people.

You realize that he is RICH! And it's most likely his own money. But don't let the facts get in the way of your posting this. hahahahahhahaaa

Such a sarcastic... hahaha

I respect your opinion but I must say, why insult a person because they have money? Obama has an expensive ass house as well, they're just doing their hardest now to seem like regular people. I used to be into politics, now it's all simply corrupt bullshit(in MY opinion). But interesting writing, this is a confusing comment, isn't it? :P

well, I still thinking this amount its too much per year

It is too much for one man to spend, why doesn't he give it away to the
poor and needy. Miron Lovric, 17/5/2009.

Picky, Picky! All this is creating jobs and stimulating the economy. It is because of critics like you that we are in a depression;) If these people were not working for McCain they would be on the public dole and taxes would go up. What we need are more poor quality jobs provided by the rich. All power to the powerful!

The display of vast wealth that the McCains' flaunt in the faces of America is a true insult. I've got no respect for them or their money.

Why so much is a mystery....

I don't have a political party. I'm a republican, a democrat, and an independent. However, I find it interesting that your comments only address McCain's household expenditures and nothing at all is said about Obama's personal spending. Nor is mentioned where McCain's personal income comes from. The fact that the man is wealthy does not mean he's incapable of understanding the working man's finacial dilema's. I attended a church for 10 years where over half the congregation was very upper income. A number of them had homes that were worth at least a million dollars. Many others had homes worth close to a million dollars. They were very nice, intelligent, and caring people. They supported the single Mom's group and helped those of us who were far less fortunate than us. They also contributed to charities with financial and personal donations. Not everyone who's rich is a selfish a$!?@&;. But I would like to see a "fair" and "objective" comparison of these two men. That's something that's never been done (to my knowledge). Especially not by the media who was so pro democrat this past election that JS Himself couldn't have got elected if he'd ran as a republican.

Ther is a bright side to that, they are employing people.

this is nothing compared to the lavish lifestyles of indian leaders... they speak of wiping out poverty, what they actually is to remove the poor ones ... you have to see the way indian politicians live ...

people with money need to burn it all and live on the street. Or give it to me the second of the two would be better. Then i could run for president of screw that why be president when you already have it all.

Wow!This is more than some people make in an entire year!!! Talk about blessed....

yes indeed

lol

Both my husband and I are laid off--maybe we can go work for McCain.

hi i want to be your friend thank you

That is what i call a big spender! Some people have so much while many have so little.

In India that kind of money can fund:

Upto 25 professional senior level high-salary jobs
OR
Upto 50 average professional mid-level salary jobs
OR
Upto 100 entry level professional jobs
OR
Upto 200 clerical level jobs
OR
Upto 400 low income level/ manual labor jobs

I don't think comparing any presidential canidate to the average person is going to show a lot of similarities. It's not like President Obama is coming from the poor house. They were both attorneys and in order to even have a shot at big time politics having ur own money in the begining is basically a prerequisite. There will never b a joe blow in the white house!

wow that's really useful info I've never knew that before. thsi site is AWESOME :P

@Cynthia: Indeed your comment is an eyeopener. My personal opinion though would be that Obama and all the others in his league have all been average joes at some point of time in their lives. They all were average joes, who when presented with an unobstructed and unbiased opportunity to prove their mettle, have done so, and have come to a level where they gained credibility enough to run for the Whitehouse :) No hard feelings there :)

@collsrodude: Lol! True even I was appalled to hear of the staggering figure. But I guess every individual, irrespective of whether he/ she happens to be a politician, is entitled to enjoy their own unique lifestyle and tastes in luxury, as long as, its their own personal money and they are no missappropriating the public funds

this' nice

nice

WoW THat Has TO Do Somthing To The
Economy Opinion About Him...

what is meand about it? i don't undestand, but i lie it.
regards

what we need for the nations budget is a SINGLE MOM WHO HAS 2 TO 3 CHILDREN AND CAN HOLD A JOB OR JOBS AND CAN PUT FOOD ON THE TABLE. Beleive me that woman can stay within her budget. All we have is people who make loads of money and their own money means nothing to them, therefore, why would other tax payers money mean anything to them. They already know how to spend their money, and loads of it, so now their a pro at spending tax payers money. It's out of control. I work harder now in my early 50's then I did in my 30's Go figure. Most of my friends have either one full time and one part time job/ or several part time jobs. Is this the American Way. I'm fearful for the future of young adults.

Great Article I Love It Particularly One Of My Favorites

Interesting article,thanx for the report.

dear sanjay
an interesting article about John McCain who has a house and car lots and states fight for the middle class. but not only in the U.S. just like that in Indonesia there are many who feel and express fight for the middle class, although in reality they are not from among them, and I also do not believe in their statement. and most of them when the officials would be corrupt officials. thanks.