Former President Jimmy Carter has deservedly earned a wide array of opprobriums over the years: Worst President in history. Anti-Semitic. Peanut-farming phony. Anti-American. And now you can add one more: Government teat-suckling cheapskate.
The Washington Times has the specifics:
The tennis court at former President Jimmy Carter‘s private home is swept twice a day, his pool is cleaned daily and his grass cut, his flower beds weeded and his windows washed on a regular basis — all at taxpayers’ expense.
Under an arrangement with the National Park Service, taxpayers are responsible for the exterior of Mr. Carter‘s home in Plains, Ga. — to the tune of $67,841 last year alone. In exchange, the government obtains the right to add the home to the Jimmy Carter National Historic Site when he and his wife pass away.
Other presidents have had similar life estate agreements calling for their properties to be turned over after their deaths, but to have taxpayers footing the bill for upkeep and maintenance of the Carters’ property appears to be unique, and it’s drawing fire at a time of tight federal budgets.
They sweep his tennis court twice a day. They clean his pool once a day. Maybe while they’re at it they could burnish his reputation every once in a while. Because no matter how much work they do on the guy’s house, it’s really his legacy that needs cleaning up.
Source: Washington Times
This post was last modified on February 8, 2011
View Comments (15)
You hate the media? How about you continue to read the article instead of posting nonsense? You took what is going on out of context. It is THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE that claims these are necessary, and Carter himself has even suggested that they not do all of this work. However to keep it in a condition enough to add it to the NPS after his death, the NPS feels they must undertake this work.
Recap: Has nothing to do with Jimmy Carter, has everything to do with the NPS, and bureaucracy.
Love,
Someone who is capable of reading the news....
Nathan...reading your own news? Sounds more like you been reading toilet paper and tea leaves..screw Jimmy..second worst president ever and I don't see his little house in the suburbs becoming a major tourist attraction except for people who hate Israel and love socialism..If he does pass on, only those liberals who pretend to care will be there...Those of us who lived in the terrible economic times that Carter made worse with stupid decisions would just as soon forget about him...and his preachy "i know it all attitude.....But then your probably about 12 years old and an Occupooper and have no idea what things were like under Mr failed Peanut....
That's three. Bye bye.
Perhaps he could pay for the upkeep on his home and the $68K plus interest could be added back to the social security fund, or to student grants, or to medical research on things like diabetes or kidney disease. Anything but paying to maintain what is still a private home.
Well I'm not Jewish, but even I agree that this guy is blatantly anti-Semitic, supporting the rocket lobbing, suicide-bombing Arabs over the democratic and innovative Israel
It also fits with his overall asshole-ness, and his performance as clearly the worst President of the 20th century, capitulating to the Iranian radicals, shaming the U.S., and ruining the economy in the process.
The best thing Carter could do now would be at least to just shut up.
Except now he has a rival...
Is this the redistribution of wealth Howard Dean was talking about?
Yep, take it out of my pocket and put into your pocket. As long as it is the right politicians or designated "minority" pocket that is.
The American Left - Coveting other peoples property since 1880.
EXCUSE ME?!?! OH HELL NO! Who do I have to talk to about this? What do I care about his "legacy" and his home being added to a center that celebrates a failed Presidency? I don't live in Georgia but I don't care I need to tell someone off.
Hell if he wants to really improve that "image" donate the damn place to Habitat for Humanity. That way those who need a place to live and have been donw on their luck can have a place to live, then they could take care of the whole place for free.
Just another liberal charlatan, whose motto is "Do as I say not as I do you little people".
He could just invite all the homeless into his home now. Why wait? I mean, if he is really concerned.
Almost 70K last year and in exchange the gov't gets the house eventually, so the waste of money can continue? They call that "in exchange"? Come to think of it, we're talking about the gov't here, so yeah, I can see that.
This crap makes me mad. Carter can build homes for people that don't work but he can't cut his grass? Jesus.
I don't expect him to cut his own grass after all he is ancient and the effort alone may kill him since he lives in a sprawling estate, HOWEVER not at taxpayer's expense. He has sold books and his soul he should pay for that crap himself.
"...he is ancient and the effort alone may kill him..."
The best reason I've heard yet for why Carter should cut his own grass!!!