Inside this charmer, you'll find cozy living quarters for quiet evenings with the family or large beautifully decorated rooms perfect for dinners, dances, or parties-fit for royalty. This home also features themed rooms that depict the rich heritage of previous occupants. History literally comes alive as you stroll the halls and colonnades to various sections of this architectural wonder.
The kitchen area has been constantly updated to provide the most modern appliances and innovations in food preparation and service. The kitchen is staffed with five full-time chefs, making for tremendous ease in dining. The staff can whip up a mid-night snack or serve a full dinner to 140 guests. And speaking of staff, this home also includes housekeeping and administrative staff and a full compliment of grounds keepers. By the way -it is fully fenced for privacy and has a sprinkler system. You're only seconds away from air and ground transportation. Underground parking and your own private heliport means there is no wasted time in the busy life of this beauty's next owner.
For the safety minded, this home has one of the most advanced security systems in the world. Each of the 147 windows is fitted with bullet-proof glass, providing plenty of natural light and optimum safety. Adding to your peace of mind, there is a "safe room" guaranteeing your family's security during any "unexpected event". We've topped off the "built-in" safety features with the most highly trained security personnel in the world. (including the rare- "Snipers on the Roof" feature) You'll sleep well in this new home.
A special feature of this magnificent home is the beautifully appointed and uniquely styled home-office. If you're the work-from-home type you will not find better accommodations than those located in the West Wing of the mansion. This home-office is oval shaped and and can be decorated to fit any taste. It is "tech ready" with the latest in communications and multi-media hook ups. There's plenty of room to expand with accompanying office space in the wing.
This is the perfect place for home recreation. You won't believe the opportunities for fun and relaxation at home-with tennis and basketball courts, a jogging track, indoor swimming year around, your own personal bowling lanes and a movie theatre. There is also a specially equipped outdoor playground to provide hours of fun for the little ones.
Don't pass up this very special home. Only 43 previous occupants have shared the unique experience of what this property has to offer. Financing is available. (Qualified occupants may spend two to four years trying to acquire this property)
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From John Adams to Barack Obama I'm sure that each President has referred to the White House, not as his own, but as the people's house. The White House is one of the most recognized symbols of the American government and the American people in the world. It symbolizes the prestige, power, and dignity of American ideals and leadership. But this year, more than any other year I can recall, the White House seems more like a house for sale than a symbol of what we stand for.
I fully realize that money has always played an important part in the selection of our leaders. But this year money seems to have an even bigger role in the national political scene. We've often heard that Congress members and Senators must devote hours everyday, sitting on the telephone, soliciting money from donors just to finance the next election. This may explain the considerable inaction of Congress. In Presidential politics we have seen the emergence of the Super-PAC donors that can single-handedly finance a Presidential campaign. Witness the unlikely candidacy of Newt Gingrich. Gingrich is the most reviled politician in the country, yet he was able to string together a couple of primary wins and cause Mitt Romney some sleepless nights, only because he had billionaire Sheldon Adelson (and wife) contributing millions. This is a clear example of a candidate who was made on one man's money. Santorum is another candidate who is getting the bulk of his financial support from a few very dedicated donors. Mitt Romney is an extremely wealthy man in his own right- but is still pulling in millions from Wall Street donors. Mr. Romney (and his PACs) have spent millions in negative advertising just to pull 30% in the early primaries, and claim a big win. In the states where Romney wins he outspends his opponents many, many times over. That seems a pretty hallow victory- at a pretty high cost. But, that's the going rate.
The Democratic Party is essentially no different. President Obama isn't attracting the Super-PAC money like the Republicans, but he is pulling in millions at fund raisers specifically supporting his re-election campaign. I have heard estimates that this year's Presidential campaign may break the billion dollar mark. Looks like that will be the new market price for the property described above. It is a sad commentary on our government that it is no longer of, by, and for the People. Even the casual observer must conclude that our republic is now controlled by the corporations and their lobbyist. How else can we explain why, only two weeks ago, the Senate failed to remove subsidies for oil companies. These are the most profitable companies in the history of man- and they are getting free money from the tax-payers. (all the "no" votes were from Senators who received major contributions from oil companies) How else can we explain the continuation of tax break after tax break for the richest people and the richest companies.
When I hear that our country is going broke-I just have to laugh. There are ample riches in our country- but the wealth is concentrated with too few people. It is so clear those people would rather give millions to elect politicians (puppets) than give a penny more in taxes. I don't, for one minute, believe these very elite donors give to certain campaigns because they just believe in the person they support. They buy politicians because they want the access and the advantages that go with the money. I often hear both sides chide the other about the money issue. The Democrats complain that the Republicans are trying to buy the election after the Citizen's United decision- and they're right! The Republicans complain the Democrats practice crony-capitalism - and they're right! I'm sure each knows the game, and each plays it with a wink and nod to the other, because that's the system we've allowed to take over. But it is laughable to watch them complain about the corruption in government-each knowing the other is just as guilty of playing the same corrupt game. Most unfortunate is that this game is one only the rich can play- which helps explain the decline of the middle class over the last thirty years.
There is only one way to restore our democracy in the face of the massive influence of money in politics. There is only one reform that will fundamentally change things for the better. All other reforms fall short and cannot deliver the remedy. When we get fed up enough- we must insist on public financing of elections. This will create an even playing field made up of ideas instead of influence. This one reform will stop most of the corruption of our government and lead to the other reforms we need so badly. Anything short of total public financing of elections will always leave room for continued corruption.
Can you imagine a United States where leaders didn't have to ask rich people to finance their elections? That would be a U.S. where we could elect people of conscience and intellect to lead us, instead of electing people beholden to the fat-cats who put them in office. That would be a country where Congress would enact policies for the good of the country- not the corporations that control them once they attain office. That would be a United States led by people dedicated to our ideals again. To do such a thing would be an incredibly bold move- a move that says money is NOT speech and corporations are NOT people.
Movements to do just this have been in existence, but it is so hard to break the old patterns because the ones who would need the courage to do it live in the system with the current rules, and the current corrupting influences . Nonetheless, I'm confident some day all of us will see the wisdom to making this reform. It can only happen with a ground swell of popular support to make it happen. I hope we can come to this conclusion without having to experience another true national political disaster. Some theorize, and I agree, that we already experienced the disaster caused by this type of corruption. We call it the Great Recession- brought to us by the last administration. Until we can fundamentally change our election process the "For Sale" sign is still up at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.
Thanks for looking in.
I fully realize that money has always played an important part in the selection of our leaders. But this year money seems to have an even bigger role in the national political scene. We've often heard that Congress members and Senators must devote hours everyday, sitting on the telephone, soliciting money from donors just to finance the next election. This may explain the considerable inaction of Congress. In Presidential politics we have seen the emergence of the Super-PAC donors that can single-handedly finance a Presidential campaign. Witness the unlikely candidacy of Newt Gingrich. Gingrich is the most reviled politician in the country, yet he was able to string together a couple of primary wins and cause Mitt Romney some sleepless nights, only because he had billionaire Sheldon Adelson (and wife) contributing millions. This is a clear example of a candidate who was made on one man's money. Santorum is another candidate who is getting the bulk of his financial support from a few very dedicated donors. Mitt Romney is an extremely wealthy man in his own right- but is still pulling in millions from Wall Street donors. Mr. Romney (and his PACs) have spent millions in negative advertising just to pull 30% in the early primaries, and claim a big win. In the states where Romney wins he outspends his opponents many, many times over. That seems a pretty hallow victory- at a pretty high cost. But, that's the going rate.
The Democratic Party is essentially no different. President Obama isn't attracting the Super-PAC money like the Republicans, but he is pulling in millions at fund raisers specifically supporting his re-election campaign. I have heard estimates that this year's Presidential campaign may break the billion dollar mark. Looks like that will be the new market price for the property described above. It is a sad commentary on our government that it is no longer of, by, and for the People. Even the casual observer must conclude that our republic is now controlled by the corporations and their lobbyist. How else can we explain why, only two weeks ago, the Senate failed to remove subsidies for oil companies. These are the most profitable companies in the history of man- and they are getting free money from the tax-payers. (all the "no" votes were from Senators who received major contributions from oil companies) How else can we explain the continuation of tax break after tax break for the richest people and the richest companies.
When I hear that our country is going broke-I just have to laugh. There are ample riches in our country- but the wealth is concentrated with too few people. It is so clear those people would rather give millions to elect politicians (puppets) than give a penny more in taxes. I don't, for one minute, believe these very elite donors give to certain campaigns because they just believe in the person they support. They buy politicians because they want the access and the advantages that go with the money. I often hear both sides chide the other about the money issue. The Democrats complain that the Republicans are trying to buy the election after the Citizen's United decision- and they're right! The Republicans complain the Democrats practice crony-capitalism - and they're right! I'm sure each knows the game, and each plays it with a wink and nod to the other, because that's the system we've allowed to take over. But it is laughable to watch them complain about the corruption in government-each knowing the other is just as guilty of playing the same corrupt game. Most unfortunate is that this game is one only the rich can play- which helps explain the decline of the middle class over the last thirty years.
There is only one way to restore our democracy in the face of the massive influence of money in politics. There is only one reform that will fundamentally change things for the better. All other reforms fall short and cannot deliver the remedy. When we get fed up enough- we must insist on public financing of elections. This will create an even playing field made up of ideas instead of influence. This one reform will stop most of the corruption of our government and lead to the other reforms we need so badly. Anything short of total public financing of elections will always leave room for continued corruption.
Can you imagine a United States where leaders didn't have to ask rich people to finance their elections? That would be a U.S. where we could elect people of conscience and intellect to lead us, instead of electing people beholden to the fat-cats who put them in office. That would be a country where Congress would enact policies for the good of the country- not the corporations that control them once they attain office. That would be a United States led by people dedicated to our ideals again. To do such a thing would be an incredibly bold move- a move that says money is NOT speech and corporations are NOT people.
Movements to do just this have been in existence, but it is so hard to break the old patterns because the ones who would need the courage to do it live in the system with the current rules, and the current corrupting influences . Nonetheless, I'm confident some day all of us will see the wisdom to making this reform. It can only happen with a ground swell of popular support to make it happen. I hope we can come to this conclusion without having to experience another true national political disaster. Some theorize, and I agree, that we already experienced the disaster caused by this type of corruption. We call it the Great Recession- brought to us by the last administration. Until we can fundamentally change our election process the "For Sale" sign is still up at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.
Thanks for looking in.
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