Being the first lady is not all tea and cake and greeting foreign dignitaries. Even when it is, there's still a staff to be managed.
The idea of paying the first lady goes back to 1946, when a congressman proposed a $10,000 salary for First Lady Bess Truman, calling the position "the only case of involuntary servitude in America."
Congress rejected the proposal and it never returned to the House again, but that doesn't stop equality revelers from talking it up every four to eight years. Now with the arrival of Michelle Obama, who was the family breadwinner at one point, the question is posed again.
Opponents worry that paying the first lady would set a precedent for senator and governor spouses, who perform many of the same duties on smaller scales. Some see the role as a privilege — an adventure! — that is served at the president's pleasure. Shudder. The president also earns $400,000 per year — eight times the average American household. Not to mention, it could make things messy for a president who prides himself on being clean and accountable. And, well, she's not asking for it!
Sonia Rykiel
Bric's
Marks and Spencer
If a First Lady is on salary, couldn't she be fired if she screwed up and wouldn't that be awkward for us all?
1That would be awkward.
2No! She gets her job based on who she marries right? Her husband makes enough for both of them
3I don't really think that would be appropriate. And I kind of doubt Michelle Obama would like the idea, either.
4I can definitely see how this could be a touchy subject. The president is a public servant already making $400,000 and living rent free, does the family really need to earn more? On the other hand does the wealth around the family entitle you to force someone into a job just because of their circumstance
?
Maybe the real question is, if being the president's, senator's or governor's wife or husband isn't a job then should there be responsibilities, outside of the family/personal, attached?
My guess is Michelle wouldn't be a big fan of this.
5Oh and I'm very happy my diamond status is back, btw
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6Yay diamond is back!
7This should not be brought to the table again. I don't think Barack would EVER ask for this, for his wife. He's trying to get the economy in better shape by cutting the unneeded for one thing. So therefore, paying Michelle when they don't have many expenses is just ridiculous. She’s the first lady for goodness sakes.
And as for the people in lower positions like congressmen, judges, and so on, then again I say NO NO NO. Their wives don’t need a damn dime either. They can afford their unneeded expensive clothes and jewelry without the extra paycheck.
8Um no. The First Lady lives free of charge with staff to cater to her every needs. Why would she need a salary?
9I don't think it's necessary right now because of the state the economy is in, but I think it makes sense because the first lady doesn't just sit back and relax, she has to do things, and it is up to her how active she can be.
10Would it be proper for the First Lady to sleep with the President if they both were on the government payroll?
11Does anyone know if the President's wife can continue working her pre-election job?
12All of the duties put on the first lady are there as an adjunct of the president's job. Therefore, any extra compensation for the sole purpose of carrying out those duties should go to the president.
13I say no. They already rake in 400,000 they don't have a mortgage, utilities, food, transportation, child care, health care, dental to pay for and have personal assistants running all up under there feet. I'm all for being philanthropic but let's not get rediculous.
14If the First Lady would prefer to continue to work in her previous occupation and was unable to due to being the First Lady, then I think some sort of compensation should be offered. For example, Jill Biden has stated that she would like to continue to teach, at least on a part time basis, in the DC area while Joe Biden is VP. I would assume that she is getting paid for this. But for Michelle to continue in her roles on various Boards, there would be a serious conflict of interest. Therefore, her being First Lady is keeping her from pursuing her own paycheck. So maybe she should be compensated?
I'm not sure though, it's definitely a gray area.
15Kscin, kind of like unemployment benefits?
It just doesn't make sense to me. When the family decided that Barack would run (and you know he had to clear it with Michelle), I'm sure they understood the responsibilities and sacrifices required of all of them.
16Yea, I say no. I think the presidency is a package deal.
17Well, since the president makes $400k plus child care, rent in the white house for him and his family, staff (cooks, nannies, cleaning people, security, etc) for everyone in the family, food for him and his family, travel to anywhere he needs/wants to go as well as for the family... No, the first lady really has no expenses for which the American people need to compensate her.
And really, if she's paid to be his wife - we, the American people, have the right to fire her, right? And what exactly are the terms of her employment? Sorry, but it's a ridiculous idea.
18kscincotta, she supported him running for president, she had to understand what that would entail.
19this is an interesting question...however, i'm kind of thinking it's irrelevant right now since we know (or at least can assume) that Michelle won't take any pay for her First Lady duties... I think the fact that senator spouses perform similar duties (though on a smaller scale) and are not compensated for it supports the case for the First Lady not to be compensated. On the one hand, she's doing work, on the other hand, she is beloved by America and gets all the perks of being First Lady...plus her spouse earns more than enough money. it's hard for me support her receiving compensation for her duties...even though I'm all about equality! ehh...
20isn't a fabulous wardrobe, great food, and travel around the globe enough? regardless, her job is an honor, paid or not, and gives the american people some idea that doing something honorable doesn't always need to be recompensed.
21Oh, the new format makes me way less apprehensive about approaching 10,000 points. Those cartoon diamonds just looked so silly.
22Where's my diamond?
23oh yea..
No.
24Oooh, our statuses are back!
I agree with others that she shouldn't be paid for something she's not able to be fired for, and that they don't seem to have many personal expenses anyway. In any case, the job of the First Lady is what she makes of it; for the most part it mostly seems to me like being a really elite ambassador's wife or socialite. It can be important, and she could try to go the Hillary route, but there's no need to, and not really any need to pay for it.
25Okay I guess I side with the logic that she can't be paid for a job she can't be fired from and that her and Barack agreed to run together...or she would have divorced him.
26IMO, I think the First Lady should focus on philanthropy. There's so much potential there to set a good example of why it's important to give back. What better role model than the First Lady?
27I would simply change the rhetoric. If the $400k salary is termed as the salary of the First Family than this would seemingly be a non-issue. Nothing changes, but public/monetary recognition is afforded to the entire Presidential family.
28No.
29I don't think Michelle would want a salary.
30I think it would take away from the grace associated with the position.
31Seems like her family's expenses are paid, food, housing, utilities. And servents. So no salary.
32Who pays for her clothes?
nope
33I imagine shes given a lot of the clothing. I mean JCrew has got it all over their website that the children were wearing JCrew and every time she wears JCrew they can't wait to share. There can't be a bigger honor, or publicity, then clothing the first family.
34Isn't the question really: if it's a job she doesn't get paid for, can she quit it and just live with her family instead of working as the official unpaid escort of her husband? I guess no. So if people expect her to do something, she should get paid. She's giving up her old life (and JOB) and you always expect the first family to be a package, so if you don't pay her, I say she should have the right to go on vacation and just stay at home as long as she wants when she wants it. Let's see how people would react to that.
35no its not appropriate at all.
36Definitely not.
37Yay statuses!
No, the first lady should not get paid. The president's salary, living rent free, and a host of people to cater to her should be plenty.
38No she should not be paid. This is no different than being married to a CEO of a company. I'm sure the spouse of the CEO has to attend certain functions and host parties and people, but doesn't get paid for it.
Additionally, I know of no law that says she has to make policy or find a cause to champion. It's great if she chooses to do so, because I believe she could be a great role model for our next generation. But it's up to her if she'd like to do those things.
39Does anyone know if the President's wife can continue working her pre-election job?
40Can someone please answer amybdk?
I was going to ask the same question as nguidjol. Is she permitted to continue working? I'm a scientist and someday I hope to run my own lab. Just in theory here, if my husband became president some day (which he won't, he's a doctor), would I still be able to maintain my job as a scientist? If I moved my lab to one of the D.C. area universities and set up shop and things were just like normal, then no, I certainly would not expect to be paid.
But if I had to give up my career and my lifestyle and was not able to work outside the home... and instead was only working via First Lady duties... then it seems kind of crappy to have to give up your own career and salary...
41I guess the question will come up again when a woman becomes president and her husband wants to keep his job.
42I guess the question will come up again when a woman becomes president and her husband wants to keep his job.
43I know of nothing that says she can't work. But like someone said previously, being on boards can be a conflict of interest. She can surely practice law if she so chose. The first lady does receive a staff and a salary to do what she chooses with. She can sit at home and do nothing but play with her kids. Which I recommend. I don't think she needs to set any example for anything except making sure her kids are comfortable through the transition. My husband has a high ranking career and I do many things with him, appearances etc. He is always coming home and asking my opinion of what he should do. I consider that being a good wife and best friend to him and no that should not be compensated.
44Actually they do have to pay for their private food and also for the cleaning of their clothes- and it is said that every single president complained about the prices for these services!
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