They are so generous . . . with other people’s money.
Via IBD:
First, the good news: We are close enough to the end of the Obama presidency for his crowd to talk about a presidential library.
Now, the bad news: Obama’s retirement is still 1,008 days distant.
Plenty of time though to round up the dough to build it somewhere. Figure they need Solyndra-style money, at least $500 million.
The last two presidents — Bill Clinton and George W. Bush — built their legacy edifices totally with private money. As seems appropriate, since taxpayers already chip in to fund retirement office space, staffing and Secret Service protection for ex-presidents for life. Last year that cost $75 million.
It may not surprise you, however, that Obama’s supporters have a different take on this library money business. They think taxpayers should put up $100 million in public money for Obama’s library. With more likely needed later. So far, this idea is confined to Illinois.
But if Democrats hold the U.S. Senate and retake the House of Representatives, some money magic might happen.
Thankfully the Illinois Policy Institute is watching. Little-noticed out there in Springfield, the Democrat House Speaker John Madigan is pushing a bill now before his Democrat chamber to put up $100 million as good-faith money in the less-than sizzling competition to host the Barack Hussein ObamaCare Presidential Library and Clinic.