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Should the first lady be financially compensated?

Background reading

  • For first lady, free work but no free time
    When incoming President Barack Obama meets with a world leader, attends a diplomatic dinner or reads to a roomful of rapt schoolchildren, he’ll be doing the work of the nation as well as earning his $400,000 annual salary. But when his wife attends the same functions at his side — or in his stead — she’ll be doing it for love.
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Results with 115 short comments
Total of 8,268 votes - click on the "Display Comments" bar below to sort comments

6.1%
Yes
507 votes
92.5%
No
7,651 votes
1.3%
I'm not sure
110 votes
Display Comments:
Yes

Yes, she should be paid a salary because she'll be planning and hosting events on behalf of and for the benefit of the country.

{"commentId":4431370,"threadId":"442320","contentId":"2203613","authorDomain":"powerisknowledge"}
  • 1 vote
#1
 - PowerIsKnowledge
 - 8:51 am EST on Mon Dec 15, 2008
No

Do Mothers and average Joe wives get paid? Um No and we do our own laundry, cooking, cleaning and nurturing as well as have our own careers

{"commentId":4431723,"threadId":"442320","contentId":"2203613","authorDomain":"jae-walker"}
  • 3 votes
#2
 - Jae-walker
 - 9:29 am EST on Mon Dec 15, 2008
No

There are many wives who work beside their husbands-minister's wives, executive wives- most every wife does a lot of free stuff for hubby

{"commentId":4436067,"threadId":"442320","contentId":"2203613","authorDomain":"margaretammons"}
  • 2 votes
#3
 - maggie51
 - 2:23 pm EST on Mon Dec 15, 2008
No

The first lady should keep to charitable work and "playing the perfect hostess" as most wives of successful "presidents of all kinds" do.

{"commentId":4436749,"threadId":"442320","contentId":"2203613","authorDomain":"dixiedi"}
  • 1 vote
#4
 - dixiedi
 - 3:00 pm EST on Mon Dec 15, 2008
No

No, because military wives - often dispaced thousands of miles from home - are not. They sacrafice far more.

{"commentId":4436821,"threadId":"442320","contentId":"2203613","authorDomain":"optimismrachel"}
  • 3 votes
#5
 - Young Hot and Smart
 - 3:04 pm EST on Mon Dec 15, 2008
No

For what? For what reason? The job belongs to her husband, if the household need the money, let her find a job, locally.

{"commentId":4436999,"threadId":"442320","contentId":"2203613","authorDomain":"restless-shadows"}
  • 3 votes
#6
 - Andromeda-510639
 - 3:15 pm EST on Mon Dec 15, 2008
No

She can certainly stay home if she wants to. She is NOT an elected position. No pay.

{"commentId":4438067,"threadId":"442320","contentId":"2203613","authorDomain":"jlfaucher"}
  • 2 votes
#7
 - Suite Judy
 - 4:08 pm EST on Mon Dec 15, 2008
No

No...we did not elect her to any office. Since when does a wife get compensated by her husband's company for assisting him in doing his job

{"commentId":4438221,"threadId":"442320","contentId":"2203613"}
  • 2 votes
#8
 - 4:15 pm EST on Mon Dec 15, 2008
No

Accordimg to her the first time that she was proud to be an american was a few months ago.

{"commentId":4438337,"threadId":"442320","contentId":"2203613","authorDomain":"kestrel70"}
  • 2 votes
#9
 - osprey-774292
 - 4:21 pm EST on Mon Dec 15, 2008
No

Designers could loan her clothes & accessories though, for the prestige if she uses them at a public function.

{"commentId":4439209,"threadId":"442320","contentId":"2203613","authorDomain":"donalisa317"}
  • 1 vote
#10
 - donalisa
 - 5:05 pm EST on Mon Dec 15, 2008
No

Let them do their own thing. No need to pay them.

{"commentId":4439287,"threadId":"442320","contentId":"2203613","authorDomain":"leprechaun1230"}
  • 1 vote
#11
 - Leprechaun1230
 - 5:10 pm EST on Mon Dec 15, 2008
Yes

Our first person faces the same scrutiny, utilizes their staff, and has to be "on" 24/7. A salary would legitimize their position

{"commentId":4439364,"threadId":"442320","contentId":"2203613","authorDomain":"terrye-1"}
    #12
     - Terrye Honeycutt Gifford
     - 5:14 pm EST on Mon Dec 15, 2008
    No

    You have GOT to be kidding me. Total nonsense (actually bulls**t).

    {"commentId":4439501,"threadId":"442320","contentId":"2203613","authorDomain":"joeprulello"}
    • 1 vote
    #13
     - Joey-450201
     - 5:21 pm EST on Mon Dec 15, 2008
    No

    Military and corporate spouses often work to advance their partner's career. It's seen as a joint benefit.

    {"commentId":4439587,"threadId":"442320","contentId":"2203613","authorDomain":"katydidmo"}
    • 1 vote
    #14
     - Katy-393385
     - 5:25 pm EST on Mon Dec 15, 2008
    No

    If the president's spouse didn't want to "work for free," then the president elect should NOT have run for office. It comes with the turf.

    {"commentId":4439824,"threadId":"442320","contentId":"2203613","authorDomain":"Hyeaghcheg"}
    • 1 vote
    #15
     - HyeAghcheg
     - 5:39 pm EST on Mon Dec 15, 2008
    Yes

    If the First Lady is working on behalf of her country, then absolutely she should be compensated for her contributions.

    {"commentId":4440343,"threadId":"442320","contentId":"2203613","authorDomain":"vaughnv3"}
      #16
       - VaughnV3
       - 6:12 pm EST on Mon Dec 15, 2008
      No

      Although the first lady does a lot, she's not elected or hired, so she can't be paid. Plus, she does get to live in the house for free.

      {"commentId":4440531,"threadId":"442320","contentId":"2203613","authorDomain":"jcdimaggio"}
      • 2 votes
      #17
       - Joseph D-685238
       - 6:26 pm EST on Mon Dec 15, 2008
      No

      No!! She knew what the role of Presidents wife would be! She will have plenty of perks!

      {"commentId":4440532,"threadId":"442320","contentId":"2203613","authorDomain":"christian-grandma"}
      • 2 votes
      #18
       - christian_grandma
       - 6:26 pm EST on Mon Dec 15, 2008
      No

      No compensation? How about free child care, free housekeeping, free rent, free transportation anywhere in the world, free utilities, etc.

      {"commentId":4441199,"threadId":"442320","contentId":"2203613","authorDomain":"gail-plowman"}
      • 2 votes
      #19
       - Concerned mom-695267
       - 7:20 pm EST on Mon Dec 15, 2008
      No

      They get lifetime sercret service and to many fringe benefits to count. No CEO's wife get paid for their support neither should a first lad

      {"commentId":4441655,"threadId":"442320","contentId":"2203613","authorDomain":"eddiemac"}
      • 2 votes
      #20
       - dartman-774662
       - 7:56 pm EST on Mon Dec 15, 2008
      Yes

      Yes, the spouse of the Head of State has official duties.

      {"commentId":4442421,"threadId":"442320","contentId":"2203613","authorDomain":"gillis1000"}
        #21
         - gillis1000
         - 9:06 pm EST on Mon Dec 15, 2008
        No

        No, I've never been paid making my man look good, why should she, I have to earn my own money.

        {"commentId":4443281,"threadId":"442320","contentId":"2203613","authorDomain":"ginarichards1"}
        • 2 votes
        #22
         - Gina Richards
         - 10:33 pm EST on Mon Dec 15, 2008
        Yes

        First Lady is an under rated management position much like stay-at-home Mom. A monetary value should be placed on this important position!

        {"commentId":4445311,"threadId":"442320","contentId":"2203613","authorDomain":"syllir"}
        • 2 votes
        #23
         - Sylvia-775048
         - 5:16 am EST on Tue Dec 16, 2008
        Yes

        This is a smart educated woman who will be setting her career options aside and making many sacrifices on the USA's behalf. Pay her.

        {"commentId":4448968,"threadId":"442320","contentId":"2203613","authorDomain":"dalmero"}
        • 2 votes
        #24
         - Truthsayer-660655
         - 11:58 am EST on Tue Dec 16, 2008
        Yes

        Definitely. The First Lady is more than a housewife. Also, she is expected to quit her job to be first lady. First Lady is definitely a job

        {"commentId":4449886,"threadId":"442320","contentId":"2203613","authorDomain":"dancerc42"}
        • 1 vote
        #25
         - femteacher
         - 12:50 pm EST on Tue Dec 16, 2008