President Obama has fulfilled his promise to donate the money from his earnings due to winning the Nobel Peace Prize. Some U.S. taxpayers, not in the mood for charitable giving on account of the financial downturn, are complaining that the U.S. Government could better use the money than the 10 charities who are scheduled to receive the funds.

President Obama, after winning the prize in October, 2009 promised to donate the money to charitable causes. This oath was questioned at that time because according to law, any money earned by the President is required to be given to the government. In order for money to be given to charities instead, requires government permission.

$250,000 will go to Fisher House, an organization that helps veterans’ families. The United Negro College Fund is scheduled to receive $125,000, to name a couple of the recipients. The sum if given to the government, would do nothing for the deficit and the objections seem to be a way of “blowing off steam.” With issues confronting the United States of monumental importance, such as Health Care, Afghanistan, Bailouts and a huge deficit, this ire seems to be aimed in the wrong direction. Whether the President should have won the prize would be a more important issue.