Michelle Obama's $30,000 Rhodium Ring; Gift from Barack Obama Backlash

The Daily Mail reported to day that Michelle Obama will be receiving a rare rhodium ring as a gift from her husband, Barack Obama, as a thank you for all she has done to support him through the election. The rhodium ring, reported as being worth 20,000 British Pounds converts to just over $30,000 U.S. Dollars. Rhodium is a rare metal mined in South Africa and retails at approximately $7,500 U.S. Dollars per ounce. The Harmony ring reportedly will be composed of rhodium and encrusted with diamonds.

Brother, can you spare a dime? Isn't $30,000 rhodium ring for Michelle Obama a bit flashy considering our country's economic uncertainty?

$30,000 is a lot of money to most Americans, especially those middle class voters that Barack Obama courted throughout his hard won campaign. $30,000 to those in mortgage foreclosure would mean bringing their home current so that they are not homeless for Christmas. Splurging on a $30,000 rhodium ring for his wife, Michelle, may appear a bit unfeeling to the masses, especially those now lining up at the unemployment office to apply for benefits. While many would not begrudge a man expressing his love and devotion is such an manner, plunking down $30,000 on bling while the country's economy sinks is not great timing on the part of Barack Obama. The Huffington Post glossed over Michelle Obama ring story with a short blurb, though the price tag has raised some eyebrows in the blogosphere. Huffington Post was all over the $150,000 Sarah Palin wardrobe fiasco, by the way, for those keeping score.

'Out of touch' comments about McCain to come back to haunt Barack Obama for lavishing a $30,000 rhodium ring on wife?

Who could forget the 'out of touch' comments made last summer by Barack Obama about his rival, John McCain? Back in August, Barack Obama accused John McCain of being out of touch since he couldn't put a firm figure on the number of houses he owned. The what-is-rich? debate ensued in the context of how our country's economy was faring. Mr. Obama painted McCain as a rich guy out of touch with the needs of Americans because McCain made $5 Million dollars the year before and hesitated to say how many houses he owned for fear of providing misinformation since his wife owns some investment properties. Drawing a contrast, Obama stated, "But if you're like me, and you've got one house, or you are like the millions of people who are struggling right now to keep up with their mortgage so they don't lose their home, you might have a different perspective."

Sources:

http://www.kare11.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=530815

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1090653/Barack-Obama-buy-rare-20-000-rhodium-ring-wife-say-thanks-support.html

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/12/01/obama-buying-wife-michell_n_147602.html

http://articles.latimes.com/2008/aug/22/nation/na-campaign22

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/10/21/rnc-has-spent-over-150000_n_136736.html

http://weblog.xanga.com/TheTheologiansCafe/684320989/michelle-obamas-ring.html