Michelle Obama Watch

I am against theh salary and the job description. First Lady isn’t a “position”. It ain’t on the GS Scale and it shouldn’t be. We elected the president, as spouses do all over the country in the govenor’s mansions, they take over a ceremonial role. Also, this leaves Michelle the option to pursue whatever career she wants to. If she had wanted to, she probably could have taught Law school or worked at a think tank while she was in Washington.

Once folks start paying her then they can call her up for hearings, all kinds of ethic limitations. For example I think almost every first lady has published a book while they were in office. She probably gets to keep many of her communications private. She already gets a staff and I like a first lady that can chart their own course.

Remember, Michelle won’t always be the first spouse. Someone else will hold that role eventually. She’s getting free food clothing shelter, gifts, and entire staff and more.

Most of the First Ladies are very active in charity organizations which are not-for-profit, which would sort of negate the whole payment argument. But I think Michelle is type of woman who would begin her own company or charitable organization and make money anyway.

I don’t think a salary is befitting the first lady (any first lady, whether it be Mrs O. or others)

but I do think formal recognition of all the hard work they do (because it is a lot of work) is warranted

something like appreciation, or a formal nod to their work, because too often, we see the first lady blend in the background, and we get the notion that all they do is read books to children or something, but they do a LOT more. But I don’t think Mrs. O is the type of lady to “blend,” she is going to be terrific, and certainly won’t be demanding a paycheck for the work she does.

Agree with others above on no salary.

I think generally, women should be paid for work done that has market value. But first, how would one value the work of a First Spouse before knowing what it will be? And second, any President or First Spouse has no economic issues what with the inevitable book deals, speaking fees, etc. Any salary would be de minimus compared to the economic opportunities such positions bring.

“Why is it only when it comes to Michelle Obama, suddenly the First Lady needs a paycheck?”

Rikyrah, I put off offering my own view for on this for a wee bit, as I was mulling over the exact same question that you’ve asked.

I can’t imagine for a moment that Michelle would expect to receive remuneration for the role that she is about to assume, and wondered why it is suddenly being raised as a consideration in her case.

Cynicism doesn’t come to me naturally, but I sense a little attempt at some unnecessary controversy stoking going on (and, yes, PMB, wouldn’t Fox news have quite the field day with this one!)

Michelle will assume her role and the duties and responsibilities therein, I’m certain, with passion and commitment. No salary necessary or expected as was the case with the previous 43 First Ladies….

Interesting question. Job Description? Paycheck? If the First Lady did have a JD and received a PC, would that mean she could be fired or impeached? Just one of those things that make you go hmmmmm….

But seriously, no – she should not receive a paycheck for being First Lady.

It is not a new concept to consider remuneration for the First Spouse. It has been raised nearly every time there is a regime change in the last few decades.

The First Spouse does an incredible amount of work for this country. Yes, she is provided with a staff, housing and food. No, she is not elected. The cabinet is not elected: under-secretaries are not elected; chiefs of staff are not elected. It’s not like there isn’t precedence for this.

Why do we assume that any wife’s work should be voluntary, and without pay. We expect our nation’s women to take care of our children, care for our elderly, run the home, run all errands for all family members, etc. I think home-makers should be paid too, with universal health and child care. I know, call me radical.

The first spouse does all this and more. She is expected to work on charity work, attend international weddings and funerals, make speeches to groups all over the country, stand next to her husband for photo-ops, and still raise well-behaved and intelligent children … all the time smiling and without breaking a sweat.

And as for being afraid of what FoxNews will make of this, I for one am not going to lose sleep over their opinions.

It is not just Michelle Obama who deserves pay for her work, but all First Spouses, and all home-makers and care-givers the world over.

I don’t think that the “job” of First Lady should get pay, whether it be Mrs. Obama or anybody else. That’s because the “job” is not a “job”. There is no interview or application process. The American public does not vote on the position of the First Lady, Michelle Obama’s name was not on the ballot. If the title “First Lady” becomes the description of an actual job with accompanying pay, then that means anyone should be able to apply for it and get that job position. Otherwise it’s pure nepotism. Since that obviously doesn’t work, then the position must remain acknowledged, but unofficial and unpaid.

I don’t think the first lady should get a paycheck. Although she becomes a public figure, she doesn’t actually have any mandatory responsibilities while her husband is in office. (She can use her fame to promote causes of her choosing, but she’s not required to do so.) Also, the first lady is not appointed, elected, or hired. She is just the person who happens to be the married to the president. But why does it matter? As first lady, following Obama’s presidency, she will have the opportunity to write a book and give speeches for huge sums of money. I don’t think any first lady will ever have to worry about her financial status.

The quesiton of a paid first lasy highlights the role of legions of unpaid female workers that society depends on. Whether it be reproductive labour or throwing the dinner parties that land a husband a corporate promotion, women do unpaid work. If the argument relies on the fact that many such women choose such a role, perhaps because a corporate big-shot for a husband provide more income and stability for the fmaily as a whole than she would make in the paid market, then the obvious fact that a first lady has no such choice means she is essentially doing forced free labour. It is impossible for her to continue doing the job she was trained to do previous to the role. Book deal? Great. But not waht she chose to do when her husband ran for political office. The honour of serving her country? Well, then why pay the president? Or civil workers, or military generals, etc. This society relies on unpaid, “freely-chose” labour of women, unfair whether it is the cashier who is forced into working through lunch, or the more visible example of the spouse of a political figure.

Michelle Obama is NOT a lawyer. She has NOT BEEN A LAWYER since 1993, when she was put on “Court Ordered” inactive status.
Go to: http://www.iardc.org Click on Lawyer Search at the top left. Then in the next window type in Obama only.
The World can see that Michelle Obama was a lawyer from 1989 to 1993.
The World will also see that Barack Obama’s license is also on inactive status.
She doesn’t deserve any salary from the tax payers.

She doesn’t have a job. She volunteered to not have a job. She knew what she was doing. If she doesn’t like it, gee, that really sucks. ::rolls eyes::

I do not believe she should get a pay check for being first lady. When did Bush’s wife ever get a check? Did Clinton’s wife ever get a pay check? If i am correct Obama is making close to $400,000.00 a year, that money then gets banked. He is in office for 4 years that is 1,600,000.00 roughly estamated before taxed, if he even gets taxed. Why should she get money when she’s not in charge? The government pays for everything they want. I don’t get a check for being a citizen, why should she get a dime for doing nothing. Might as well be on wellfare.