November 2011 Government of the United States of America Attn: President Obama Speaker of the house John Boehner All Congressmen & Congresswomen All Senators Re: Presidential Pensions and benefits We the undersigned do hereby demand that the giving of pensions and benefits to former Presidents of the United States with tax payer dollars be abolished. As the government of the United States debates cutting entitlements such as Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid they do nothing in eliminating the outrageous entitlements they give to themselves. In this case we are specifically talking about the pensions and benefits to former Presidents. After working only four or eight years the leaving president begins receiving an outrageous pension and benefits package the day of the incoming president’s inauguration. The pension they receive is just the beginning. They also receive money for staff, staff benefits, mailing, phones, travel expenses and office space. All of this paid for with your tax dollars. In 2008 former president Bill Clinton received more than one million dollars in pension payment and other entitlements. Jimmy Carter received over one half million, this is more than the current sitting president makes. In 2010 the allotment from the government for pensions and benefits to former presidents is over 7 million dollars. Paying a pension to a former president was passed in 1958 when a private citizen wanted to establish a pension of $25,000.00 for the leaving president. Congress did not feel that a private citizen should be paying this, so they set up pensions for leaving presidents. However, the original idea has gotten completely out of control. One of the reasons for the pension was because congress did not believe a former president should suffer financial difficulties that they felt would be demeaning for a former president of the United States. Obviously Congress does not recognize that many simple hardworking Americans are suffering financial difficulties today that are totally demeaning to them. The President of the United States is in that position because he chose to run. It is not the responsibility of the American people to support them after they leave office. They no longer work for us and are not entitled to a pension or additional benefits paid for by us. This is just one of the ways that the government of the United States takes your tax dollars and ensures that they receive benefits that you have no say in approving. If you feel that a former president of the United States is not entitled to ridiculous benefits with your tax dollars for working four to eight years please add your signature and address to this petition. Anna Walsh-Stabile 18543 E. Harvard Drive, Aurora, Co. 80013