http://news.yahoo.com/obama-launches-crusade-against-swag-171221192.html Such items, known as swag, are paid for by taxpayers, and are used by the government to promote its work. The president has also ordered government departments to issue staff with fewer electronic devices, such as smartphones and tablet computers. It is part of a push to cut the cost of running Washington by $4bn (£2.5bn). The executive order he signed on Wednesday gives the executive branch 45 days to develop plans to trim such costs by a fifth by 2013. Other promotional items such as water bottles, watches and neckties are on the chopping block, too. The White House has not put a figure on what these official trinkets currently cost the American people. But the president's executive order concedes the giveaways are "frivolous". Government bodies are also being encouraged to cut down on unnecessary official travel and conferences, limit the use of vehicles in Washington and publish information online to reduce printing costs. The BBC's Steve Kingstone in Washington says that while most Americans will welcome the efficiency drive, it is telling that this is the best the White House could do right now to promote deficit reduction. Our correspondent says the real debate is taking place in Congress - where a committee of Republicans and Democrats are trying to agree spending cuts of more than $1 trillion. But so far there is little sign of progress. -------------------- Wow, I had no idea that much stuff was just being "given out". It`s good that they are cutting it. Also, the fact its called swag made me laugh extremely hard. I am sure a few people will come into this thread thinking the pres has something against old Spice now rofl.
The Chinese might feel a little pinch since all the junk our govt hands out is MADE IN CHINA. Cutting one fifth of their swag budget will mean one federal employee outta five will have to live without a Dept of Agriculture coffee mug. Oh, the humanity.
Wasteful spending??? His whole administration is (*)(*)(*)(*)ing wasteful spending along with the 10 million his (*)(*)(*)(*)ing wife has spent on vacations this year...but lets focus on ties and coffee mugs....Gezzzz you can't make this crap up.
It seems the regular non contributors have stopped by to give their opinions on the subject, or lack there of. (protip, whining about Obama because obama is cutting spending makes you look like a ****)
this is part of a broad range of cuts he is trying to get through. Your the one coming into the thread to spout the "lawl they go on "vacation" to much" meme.
Oh it's the new left mantra....by your hero....memememememememe Your hero is banned, want to join him???
Wait! You mean this thread isn't satire? You seriously consider this 'crusade' newsworthy? Sorry, but I can't even imagine a more ridiculous 'spending cut' than reducing by 1/5 an expense that shouldn't exist in the first place! Cutting it by 1/2 might've been worth talking about. Cutting it out altogether would've been a step in the right direction. Obama fails again.
Democrat congressional majority for four years.... Democrat White House and congressional super majority/majority for two years.... Democrat White House and Senate majority for three years.... Democrat Senate majority for five years.... and wasteful spending on "swag" survives unscathed and unmentioned.... until less than one year before 2012 elections.... when Obama, and his merry band of 5 trillion dollar spendthrifts... strategize that offering a pandering, token gesture of austerity to the grazing lambs... may be politically beneficial to party power. Frauds, the lot.
While i applaud his efforts to actually cut some spending, this is just a spit in the wind compared to other thinghs that can be cut.
