The Obamas are better placed than General Waverly
Do you remember the scene in White Christmas when Bing Crosby goes on TV to ask all men formerly under the command of General Waverly to come to the General’s Inn in Vermont?
“When the war was over, why, there were jobs galore
For the G.I. Josephs who were in the war
But for generals things were not so grand
And it’s not so hard to understand
What can you do with a general
When he stops being a general?
Oh, what can you do with a general who retires?
Who’s got a job for a general
When he stops being a general?
They all get a job but a general no one hires.”
While opportunities for former Generals after the War may have been limited, there are more for former Presidents. The latest to demonstrate this fact is President Obama who, it has been widely reported, has this week agreed to buy a $15 million property on Martha’s Vineyard.
According to Robb Report: “Assuming the sale goes through, this won’t be the first big real estate investment the Obamas have made since Barack left office in January 2017. The couple, who already owned a home in Chicago, purchased a striking, 8,200-square foot home in Washington, D.C.’s Kalorama neighborhood for $8.1 million in May of 2017.”
Clearly, while there may not have been jobs for retired Generals after the War, there are better opportunities for some former Presidents, as in a Netflix deal and books by both Barack and Michelle Obama.
This post is meant to be a light-hearted comment, so let me be clear that former Presidents frequently use their position and wealth for good causes.
From Town and County Magazine: In May of 2017, Obama unveiled plans for his own future presidential center in Chicago. He painted a picture of a buzzing hub for youth and community programs on the city’s South Side where he raised his family and launched his political career.
“What we want this to be is the world premiere institution for training young people and leadership to make a difference in their communities, in their countries and in the world,” he told the friendly crowd that included Mayor Rahm Emanuel, his one-time chief of staff.
“I still care about making sure that the United States and the world is a place where kids get a decent education. Where people who are willing to work hard are able to find a job that pays a living wage. That we’re conserving the amazing resources of our planet so that future generations can enjoy the beauty of this place. Like we did.”
Andrew Oliver
Realtor, Sagan Harborside
Sotheby’s International Realty
www.andrewJoliver.com
www.OliverReports.com
Tel: 617.834.8205
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