"“Critics and even some in his own party say the vacations present a bad image at a time when many Americans are struggling to get by during the recession.”"
Thats socialism for you.
The socialist nation examples have always demonstrated a card carrying party nepotism, whereby the bureaucrats get all the perks, against the peasants who only get a verbal duplicity to cheer them up.
Smile America (and vote Democrat) whilst your Pressy enjoys his perks.