What’s the difference between Christmas and a Government Shutdown? During the shutdown, only non-essential workers take vacations.

While terrorists make new threats, the President makes the time for a leisurely stroll to the Shave Ice Stand with his daughters (no sign of Michelle). Of course now, he probably refers to Shave Ices as Shave Icell.

Meanwhile, after another police shooting in Chicago, Mayor Rahm Emanuel issued a statement from Cuba. It was a written statement as  the island’s only VHS camera was being used for the evening news.

What is it about modern Democrats and their vacations? I don’t seem to recall any elected executives who cherish their vacations as much. I know that George Bush is cited for taking many, but in reality those “vacations” were nothing more than working at home.

I don’t think President Obama has spent more than a week at his house in Chicago over the past seven years, even though the street is closed off, and the house is under 24 /7 surveillance (in case he ever has to run back to grab his cuff links).

Strangely, President Obama claimed before he ran for President, that a person entering public service gives up things like sleep and vacations (h/t Weasel Zippers):

This is especially ironic, considering all the speculations that have been made about the President sleeping through the Benghazi attack.

Just where does this sense of entitlement come from? As near as I can figure, it comes from the Union mentality, where 40 hours is the rule, overtime is optional, and paid vacations are as certain as Life Insurance and Dues. Just because they’re elected officials, doesn’t mean that Presidents and Mayors shouldn’t enjoy all the amenities of the AFSCME contract.

Now, don’t get me wrong, I don’t begrudge elected officials their vacations. In fact, I encourage them. No matter how extravagant their vacations, I guarantee that pedicures and deep tissue massages cost a lot less than omnibus spending packages.

Update: Monday evening, Rahm announced that he was cutting his vacation short to address the City in person, later Tuesday afternoon. I’m guessing his attorneys advised him that those recall petitions circulating around town are legally valid.