To folks from out-of-town, the pomp, circumstance and history going on in DC right now is cute and all, but those of use who live in the urrrea will probably be a little salty when we realize that Obama and friends are running thru BOTH our pockets to help pay for this celebration. We all knew that he was tapping into our federal piggy bank to pay, I read yesterday that taxpayers in DC, Maryland and Virginia are shelling out $75 million via their local governments to cover costs operational costs.
Estimates are the total costs for Obama's inauguration could reach $170 million. Obama has raised an estimated $40 million to help cover the costs of little things like the train ride from Philadelphia to Washington on Saturday and that star-studded concert with U2, Be-yawn-ce, Bruce Springsteen and others on Sunday, there's also the actual swearing in ceremony which is pretty cheap by comparison at about $1.25 million for that. There are 10 official inaugural balls, not to mention the cost of all the extra security. Oh, and those 5,000 port-a-potties lining the National Mall.
Four years ago democrats cautioned President Bush about an extravagant inauguration calling it inappropriate during a "time of war". Well, four years later the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan continue, the unemployment rate is the worst we've seen since 1945, consumer confidence is down, the stock market is down, companies announcing daily they're laying off people, closing stores or going out of business all together, but not a peep out of the Democrats about the Obama inauguration. I'm fairly certain it's because he's one of theirs.
If you wanna lose your appetites for lunch consider this: the biggest donors for the inaugural festivities are the recently bailed out Wall Streeters.
So, here's the question: Given the US's sour economy, do you take issue with Obama’s extravagant inauguration celebration or think it sends the wrong message?
5 comments:
Not at all.
Yesterday I heard Washington D.C.'s mayor saying that the city has been planning the Inauguration for over a year now, even before Obama was elected.
Obama's inauguration is not only historic, but it is symbolic of America's re-emergence as a superpower in the world.
His inauguration is bigger than him. It is garnering worldwide attention.
Also, Bush prolonged that war to keep himself in office. He poured billions and billions of dollars into a cause that many Americans did not believe in. Of course his decision was going to be met with some opposition.
The Inauguration of our Presidents is the single, grand, national occasion of Pomp and Pageantry that we have.
The Inauguration of this man, in particular, is overwhelmingly a glorious reason to spend whatever is necessary to celebrate this day with safety, dignity and joy.
God Bless America.
Hmmmmmm...I am troubled by the answers already.
Plans change with circumstance. Over a year ago the DOW Jones Industrial let alone the economy wasn't in the shape it is in today. My contention is not that the celibration needed to be scaled back, but the media reporting should be more balanced for had the shoe been on the other foot, former President Bush would have been brutally bashed given the current circumstances.
Further, fiscal responsiblity would suggest that when the mortgage is due, you don't splurge on Luis Vuton duffles.
All in all, this was a historic day for our country. I am as I've always been, PROUD to be an American! God Bless.
~Damnit!
Well democrats historically are not fiscally conservative. I will have to review the costs but as a DC resident, im more interested in the revenue this inauguration has brought our local economy.
I'm shocked that YOU posted this. But then again...i'm not.
Post a Comment
It's no fun if you don't say anything.