All the President's Men

As the ranks of the unemployed widened, one person is more prepared and more protected by American regulation than, say, Joe the Plumber. As Barack Obama takes the oath of office on January 20th, George W. Bush receives his pink slip and join his fellow countryfellows. If one needs further evidence of his august stature , look no further than his transport immediately after the inauguration. The Toxic Texan will be traveling back to Dallas onboard USAF 29000, the VC-25 aircraft which -if he were still an american president, will receive the call sign "Air Force One"- is hardly sitting in coach with his legs pressed by the passenger in front and fearing he will lose his luggage.

When your last job was "leader of the free world", life could be a lot worse. Unlike the common people who had to be vigilant to thieves and the odd house burglars, former US presidents are accorded Secret Service protection (George W. Bush becomes the first former president who does not receive life-time protection. A new bill was passed recently, limiting protection only up to 10 years after living office). Unlike the average Americans who may have to find a new smaller house (after their McMansion was foreclosured), Mr. Bush can raise donations from the public to build his presidential library (where as tradition is a fairly big complex and where tradition dictates, he gets to build a replica of the Oval Office). The federal government also pays him an estimated USD 200k per annum plus expenses to run his office and pay for his staff. Some presidents even get to keep their daily transport (Reagan, his Air Force One and Marine One , plus his motorcade; Clinton his Cadillac One).

It does not stop there. Unlike their normal compatriots though, when it comes to future employment, the group is spoilt for choice. No "work" (of the traditional definition is involved). Presidents easily are paid a minimum USD 50k for making speeches. Then there are also directorships or other board appointments in well known companies.

What is the point of all this, you may ask. Stick around, more will be revealed.