Who doesn’t love some Memphis soul music? Certainly, no red-blooded American could feel that way. However, in the current economy, we are all being forced to cut back on things that we enjoy.  Entertainment expenses are on the chopping block around the country. Concert attendance is down as people are cutting back on non-essentials. It’s not just musical events, either. People are staying home and watching sporting events on television rather than spending money on tickets to be at the game. Household budgets around America are feeling the squeeze, well, unless it's the White House budget, that is. 

Last night, President Obama and the first lady paid tribute to Memphis soul in the latest “In Performance at the White House.” Performers included Justin Timberlake, Queen Latifah, Cyndi Lauper, Charlie Musselwhite, Mavis Staples, and others. This star-studded event is typical of the “Let them eat cake” mentality of the Obama administration.

As Sean Hannity pointed out, the Obamas were partying while 50 million Americans live in poverty, and food stamp participation is up 48 percent since Obama took office. So, while Obama partied with celebrities, even his usual fawning pool of press sycophants weren’t even allowed to stick around and enjoy the fun. They can watch at home with the rest of we plebeians when it airs on PBS next week. 

So we're clear, Obama is keeping the White House tours closed to the building’s rightful owners, the taxpayers, the people, but the celebrities party inside by invitation only. Sounds pretty typical of this well-insulated administration. While average Americans struggle to make ends meet, Obama continues to live his life of luxury. Does he not know Americans are struggling, does he not care?

Maybe Obama was just feeling like the Mavis Staples song “Tonight, I Feel Like Dancing.” Maybe it just hasn’t occurred to him that you can’t always do what you feel like, even when you’re the president. He needs to grow up and accept that like the rest of us.