As I sit here trying to figure out how to pay my rent and utilities and budget my income so that I don't eat macaroni & cheese more than fifteen times this month or bologna sandwiches more than ten times, I came across a story in a handed-down newspaper about how the President and First Lady "understand" and "empathize" with those of us who lost their jobs or are on disability income and how they are going to "make things easier for all Americans by providing [us] with affordable health insurance."  

Then I turn the page and read about the First Couple's entertaining at the White House.  In the slightly more than one year that they have occupied that esteemed domicile (376 days as of January 31st), they've have had 170 parties, entertaining such notables as Demi Moore, Ashton Kucher, Blair Underwood, Katie Curic, Stevie Wonder and hundreds of others.  The dinners consisted of Lobster fresh from Maine and Wagyu beef (at $100-$150 per pound).  Dinners have featured lavish menus including "Celery Soup, Wild Mushroom Crisps, Steelhead Salmon with Citrus sauce, Crispy Spinach, Toasted Saffron Couscous Pearls, Baby Iceberg lettuce with Maytag Bleu Cheese and Yogurt ranch dressing and for dessert, Milk Chocolate velvet cake" - all served on gold-rimmed china.  Champagne, Cosmopolitans, Martinis flowed like water from more bars in more places than one reporter can recall, and have cost the American taxpayers nearly $200 million.  Yet the Obamas don't see that their lavish spending is just as bad as investment firms using bailout funds to pay the retiring executives their scheduled bonuses.  

The First Lady even had a "Ladies' Night Party" serving cocktails to the female staff of the executive mansion in addition to her regular "Wednesday Night Cocktail Party."  It seems that Mr. & Mrs. Obama have a real need to "rub elbows" with Hollywood celebrities and Washington elite on a very regular basis while many regular Americans only have enough energy to spend every waking hour looking for work so they don't lose their homes.  Parties and guests have become so numerous that several uninvited guests have been able to slip past the Secret Service guards checking invitations.  

Most of us "regular folks" can only dream of a cold drink and an evening in front of the TV.  Cable and satellite TV subscription were down more than 10% in the fourth quarter of 2009, about the same percentage as unemployment was up.  

It's time to wake up, America, and let the First Couple know that we're tired of eating leftover casseroles and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches while you eat Steelhead Salmon with citrus sauce and sip Vodka Martinis AT OUR EXPENSE.  You can't blame these parties on the previous administration.  President Bush's idea of a party was a BBQ at his ranch and a few hours of chopping firewood.  

I'll remember the President and First Lady tonight.  I'll think about their Wagyu beef and Toasted Saffron Couscous as I eat my grilled cheese sandwich and tomato soup for my supper.