by Pa Rock
Citizen Journalist
The White House is where American Presidents and their families reside on a temporary basis. It is a beautiful and iconic building designed by architect James Hoban more than two centuries ago, and the building is so distinctive that it is easily recognized by people from around the world.
The White House was funded by the people of the United States, built by the people (many of them enslaved) of the United States, and maintained by the people (taxpayers) of the United States. Not surprisingly, it is often referred to as "the People's House."
So, here is my question, my concern:
If the White House belongs to the people of the United States, by what authority does a temporary resident make significant structural changes to "our" house without anyone's approval?
I can handle the current resident coming in and slapping gold leaf around the Oval Office in order to give his workplace the ambience of a French whorehouse. That's just a decorating decision that the next President, hopefully someone with better taste, can toss in the dumpster. What I cannot abide is the renter from hell showing up with bulldozers and making permanent changes to one of the most beloved buildings in America - especially if he is operating on his own whims without any adult supervision or approval from anyone in authority.
I am one of the landlords, and I object!
An outdoor "club" has apparently already been installed in Jacqueline Kennedy's rose garden. The grass in the area has been paved over and patio tables with large umbrellas have been installed. (There are supposedly still rosebushes along the periphery.). The tables, chairs and umbrellas are said to be similar or identical to the ones at the beach club as the tenant's personal country club in Florida. The temporary resident of the White House has named this "improvement" the "Rose Garden Club," and so far the only guests to enjoy (or suffer through) the new feature are some Republican members of Congress,
Where is my invitation?
It will take a squad of construction workers with jackhammers and several weeks of hard work, but the Rose Garden Club can also find its way into the dumpsters of DC.
What will be much more difficult to eliminate will be the 90,000 square foot gymnasium with chandeliers that the tenant plans on add to the East Wing of the White House. He is calling it a "ballroom" and says it will seat 650 people of privilege. Ground is expected to be broken for that gigantic eyesore this month. The tenant says he will pay for this improvement ($200 million or more) himself or pass the hat for his billionaire buddies to fund it.
I don't want billionaires paying for additions to my house and then feeling like thy have a much bigger claim to the place than I do. This is America - and we all should be equal shareholders in our house.
Here is how the current resident of the White House is claiming his authority to make serious structural changes to the historic building:
This past July the President appointed the White House staff secretary to head the National Capital Planning Commission. Last Thursday this public official, who was appointed to his position of authority by the tenant residing in the White House, gave the okey-dokey for ballroom (gym with chandeliers) construction to proceed. But apparently by his own admission, the civil servant does not have the authority to demolish part of the East Wing and prepare the ground for the project.
There will be bulldozers - but who in the hell gave permission for them to touch our house or move our ground around!
I am reminded of the 1990 movie, "Pacific Heights," starring Michael Keaton. Look it up.
Donald John Trump does not have the authority or the class to make major structural changes to the "People's House."
This owner objects!
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