Does the President Deserve a Vacation?
Photo by Stefaan
The other day, I came across this article in the Sunday Washington Post: Obama’s critics are questioning whether he “deserves a vacation.” Apparently, if the State of the Union is less than perfect, he should be denied rest until he turns things around.
From what I’ve read and seen, presidents including Obama work ten or twelve hours a day, sometimes much, much more. And even when they are on vacation, they are never *really* on vacation. They’re always on call.
You can argue politics or question Obama’s decisions–and I’ve been done both–but I can’t see questioning his right to, and his fundamental need for, a break, periodic time off to rest and rejuvenate, have time to himself, reconnect with his family so that he can come back refreshed, better equipped to lead our country.
After all, how would you like it if your vacation leave was contingent on turning your organization or your country around? Are you up for that challenge? Would the challenge make any sense?
From my HR perspective, it would be really interesting if management only extended vacation leave to people who exceeded all stakeholders’ idealized standards of perfect performance. But I hardly think it would be motivating. Or fair. Or worth it. Or anything else.
I agree completely: the lies and distortions combined with ignorance and hatred know no boundries. Bush took three times as many days vacation while the economy stumbled. Either way, reasonable vacation time is just as important as hard smart cooperative work.
I think everybody deserves a vacation. Though I think he needs to stay in touch with his staff.
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