Mr. Obama, his family and hundreds of other government employees arrive on Martha's Vineyard Saturday. Mr. Obama and company will likely have a good vacation, but thousands of residents and vacationers will not, although there are a lot of other things going on. Visits in previous years have been bad enough with traffic halted while the presidential motorcade goes to the golf course and the beach, restaurants closed while the family dines in the restaurant next door and a host of other inconveniences because we worship the office of president. This year a major road on the island will be shut down to everyone but those with the right connections.
Do we need to spend so much money, time and effort ensuring that the political elite get very special treatment? I'm reminded of a former governor of Massachusetts who took the subway to work most days, just like most working stiffs. But that was in the last century. In the 21st century security is the most important governmental task. Consideration of such things as freedom and liberty and the likelihood of a terrorist attack are so old hat.
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