Just curious to see if the reaction to this...is as over the top as it was for Sarah Palins $150,000 wardrobe...for me...I couldn't care less in either instance...


The Obamas reportedly aren't feeling our pain.

From the New York Post:



The country's economy is in shambles, but President-elect Barack Obama is reportedly sparing no expense when it comes to bling for his first lady.

Obama is giving wife Michelle a $30,000 diamond-encrusted Harmony ring made of "black gold" - rhodium - the world's most expensive metal, London's Daily Mail reported online last night.

Made by Italian designer Giovanni Bosco, the pricey thank-you ring will be ready in time for the inauguration, the report said.

"Our agent in the United States was asked by Barack Obama about the ring because he wants it as a thank-you gift for his wife, Michelle, for her support the last two years," a spokesman for the designer said.

..."We have a select number of clients in the United States, Europe, Russia and the Middle East, and our prices, as a result, reflect the wealth of our customers," the spokesman said.

The Obamas have earned their wealth. They have a right to spend it however they see fit.

Perhaps Barack Obama would rather splurge on an extravagant ring for his wife than invest his money in the market. If he goes forward with his proposed tax hikes on the rich, his presidency is sure to have a crippling effect on the already limping economy. There's no incentive to invest in businesses. The outlook is so bleak with an Obama presidency looming.

Still, these reports of a $30,000 "thank-you" ring come at a bad time.

Although a $30,000 "thank-you" ring is a pittance compared to that $4 million "forgive me" ring Kobe Bryant gave to his wife, it sends the wrong message given that so many Americans are struggling economically right now.

With more and more people losing their jobs and their 401(k)s being decimated while Obama preaches about spreading the wealth around, it just seems inappropriate for Obama to be dumping so much of their wealth on Michelle's finger.

Remember what Michelle had to say in a stump speech she delivered at UCLA early in the primaries?


Barack Obama will require you to work. He is going to demand that you shed your cynicism. That you put down your divisions. That you come out of your isolation, that you move out of your comfort zones. That you push yourselves to be better. And that you engage. Barack will never allow you to go back to your lives as usual, uninvolved, uninformed.

You have to stay at the seat at the table of democracy with a man like Barack Obama not just on Tuesday but in a year from now, in four years from now, in eights years from now, you will have to be engaged.

Obama will REQUIRE you to be engaged and shed your cynicism. No comfort zone for you.

It's hard not to be cyncial when Michelle is being so demanding of Americans, insisting that Barack will "never allow you to go back to your lives as usual," as she's being treated to expensive jewelry.

Do the Obamas expect from themselves what they are requiring from the American people?

They don't seem to be getting with the program.

Why not donate the cost of the ring, sacrifice, be less selfish?

As a "thank-you" gift, Obama should consider buying Michelle a respectable Republican cloth coat.

hey as long as it is his money and not campaign contributions



hhhhhhhmmmmmmmm something to wonder about

Have you watched the news about Black Friday? Seems he is not the only one and its his money to do with what he pleases.

hey...I'm just interested in the reaction vs my friend Sarah...thats all...I could have sworn that he was saying that this is the worse economic condition since the Great Depression...for who ?...not too sure it paints a good picture to all of his supporters...not that theres anything wrong with that !!...lol

I beleive the whole hoopla over Sara was using campain donations to SPRUCE her up..

I know...but...it still appears as somewhat " privileged "...especially to alot of his supporters...If you ask me...it's kind of a boneheaded move...

You are right..But to put into perspective, its lunch money to them.

there will be more bonehead things to come i am sure

you know...my dreams and aspirations as a kid were to be [A] a US Senator...or... a professional baseball player...damn !...I'd like to have that lunch money...lol

hey...how did my letters go bold ?...I didn't even do anything...I don't think...

gee...Did the democratic nation committee pay for the ring?

It is a double standard for the obamas.....do as they say....NOT as they do......

Can one really expect anything else from them?

Lindyy

how is it a double standard

Well gee a husband gives his wife a token of his esteem and affection he paid for himself. How scandalous!

What do you think of Bush keeping a $6,160 bicycle given to him by a Wisconsin bicycle manufacturer? How many average Americans can afford a 6k bicycle? Does that say something about his standards?

hahaha

This board gets funnier every day.

An Update to this story.

Looks like it was BS.

The communications for Obama's transition, Dan Pfeiffer, flatly denied a Daily Mail report that Obama is buying an exotic $30,000 ring to thank his wife "for her support during the election."

The report is sourced to an anonymous spokesman for the manufacturer of the rhodium ring, who is quoted claiming, "Our agent in the United States was asked by Mr. Barack Obama about the ring because he wants it as a thank-you gift for his wife Michelle for her support the last two years."

The spokesman is not named in the story, and there seems to be no other evidence for the claim.

The report is "not true," said Pfeiffer in an email. He didn't elaborate.

sounds like graf to me

I just bought a 900 dollar suv. It replaced my 100 dollar bike..

not even the slightest appearance of privilege or impropiety ?...

Read the whole thread please

An Update to this story.

Looks like it was BS.

The communications for Obama's transition, Dan Pfeiffer, flatly denied a Daily Mail report that Obama is buying an exotic $30,000 ring to thank his wife "for her support during the election."

The report is sourced to an anonymous spokesman for the manufacturer of the rhodium ring, who is quoted claiming, "Our agent in the United States was asked by Mr. Barack Obama about the ring because he wants it as a thank-you gift for his wife Michelle for her support the last two years."

The spokesman is not named in the story, and there seems to be no other evidence for the claim.

The report is "not true," said Pfeiffer in an email. He didn't elaborate.

Do you think maybe the ring manufacture might have leaked a false story to get some press for his company and product?

Or maybe it's another back handed political smear?

Looks like people are buying it and tongues are wagging and posters posting despite the fact they presidents spokesperson says that the story is untrue.

I did...and...it has Bill Clintonitis written all over it ...after word leakes...they deny it...yet still go ahead with purchase...probably took a poll...or...used focus group data... ...lol