Comment: not likely to happen

but in a 'fair' universe, ALL POTUS admin would have to pay for their own clothes, food, gas/heat, electricity, and food (um, you know...kinda like how every single one of us has to do??), out of their own salary, aside from 'official' govt functions. And would list the cost of every event, before the event commences.

right... in an actually 'fair' universe that is.

yeah... if that were so, we would've gotten rid of every European 'royalty' derived 'pomp & circumstances'-rituals: red carpet, servicemen as backdrop props (hell, ANYONE as 'props' for that matter), marching band, parade, inauguration coronation, lavish 'diplomatic' dinners, etc. a loooooooooooooooooong time ago.

the only question one should ask is: What Would Ron Paul do?

Or, more apropos of this, what would Carol Paul do?

Obvious fashion taste aside, would Mrs. Paul waste taxpayer money on this crap? No. And Ron wouldn't even have to remind her not to: they're from the frugal generation. They simply do not waste money/currency on worthless things.

Potemkin douchebags, all of them; the more illegitimate, more lavish the ritual: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7WqIDqWOJ0A

Now if all manner of the State is done via rituals, ie black robes, imposing temples, monuments/statues, idolatry, militant marches, ridiculous uniforms, even more ridiculous alchemical metal trinkets *cough* I mean medals & badges, tithing (the 60~80% kind in taxes robbery)... doesn't that literally define it a religion??