Puttin' on the Ritz.

As unemployment soars and the economic crisis deepens, Barack Obama — herald of the downtrodden — has decided on a course of action. Road trip!

So much for the Obama common touch.

After whisking his wife to Manhattan for dinner and a Broadway show last weekend, President Obama is treating his family to a Paris vacation - paid for, in part, by taxpayers.

The White House confirmed yesterday that first lady Michelle Obama, their two daughters, and his mother-in-law will fly today to the City of Lights to join the president, who has scheduled meetings with French officials and will appear at a ceremony tomorrow in Normandy marking the 65th anniversary of D-Day...

But the trip has raised eyebrows among government watchdog groups, particularly since it comes so soon after the Obama's pricey "date night" jaunt to New York - the president called it fulfilling a campaign promise - and in the midst of what Obama himself has called the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression.

One public interest group notes that the White House still hasn't disclosed expenses from the Manhattan trip - estimated to be about $30,000 - and argues that the public should get a full accounting of a "flashy" European vacation.

A quick date on a private jet to Manhattan, a transatlantic jaunt for the fam — it's good to be the king! Meanwhile, his loyal subjects are cutting back their vacation plans, if not canceling them altogether.

And how much carbon is being released on all these unnecessary flights? You can almost hear Gaia weep.

Well, as long as she's luxuriating in Paris, I hope Michelle takes the time to visit the tomb of Marie Antoinette.