Inauguration Gala

[Philagoofy]

I hear this is to be the most expensive inauguartion gala ever. Is this a good thing during these recessionary times? It will help a few businesses for now, those vendors who will be supplying goods & services. Or is it excessive & wasteful?

 

[lisadr]

I think it's taking on a life of it's own to be honest.

SO many people want to be there and share in it and now accommodations have to be made to handle it. I think it stands to reason if the norm is 400k-500k at a normal inaug., then one where 100k are coming is gonna cost more no? What are they gonna do -tell people "Don't come."??

 

[bicker]

I think the extent to which there is such an outpouring of $upport for this inauguration, itself, is indicative and a product of just how negatively the last four or eight years have been perceived by the folks contributing to the inauguration, especially in the context of the economic situation.

 

[shirleyb]

But what is the $160 million being spent on ? Just curious.

 

[bicker]

Here's a good summary of what the money's being spent on:

http://inaugurationday2009.com/schedule.html

Just ignore the stuff between noon and 1PM on January 20, as that's probably all paid for by government funds.

 

[Mr Man]

To me, the gala is a perfect example of the "Tax and Spend" mentality which is a core Democrat Party precept.....

This will be a theme for the next 4 years.....

 

[bicker]

Actually, it is a perfect example of the "donate/contribute and spend" mentality.

And contributing to causes they feel strongly about is a very Democratic precept.

However, I'm not surprised to see critics of Democratic precepts trying to cast this all in as much of a negative light as they possibly could.

 

[LakeAriel]

I made a contribution. First time ever. I wouldn't want anyone to be pottyless.

This heralds a new beginning and I doubt DC has ever seen this amount of people there at one time. I understand Obama is hosting a dinner for John
Mc Cain the night before. Obama is such a class act, isn't he?

http://news.aol.com/political-machi...osts-dinner-for-john-mccain-on-inaugural-eve/

 

[louey]

Oprahs paying

 

[mkingdomlvr]

Oprahs paying

Now THAT'S funny!!

 

[lisadr]

I made a contribution. First time ever. I wouldn't want anyone to be pottyless.

This heralds a new beginning and I doubt DC has ever seen this amount of people there at one time. I understand Obama is hosting a dinner for John
Mc Cain the night before. Obama is such a class act, isn't he?

http://news.aol.com/political-machi...osts-dinner-for-john-mccain-on-inaugural-eve/

Same here. One all counts .

 

[eliza61]

I hear this is to be the most expensive inauguartion gala ever. Is this a good thing during these recessionary times? It will help a few businesses for now, those vendors who will be supplying goods & services. Or is it excessive & wasteful?

Ever year is more expensive because every year the price of stuff goes up. It is no more excessive or wasteful than any other president. There are probably a lot more security issue than any other president but an inuaguration in and of is self is meant to be a ostentatious display.

 

[eliza61]

Actually, it is a perfect example of the "donate/contribute and spend" mentality.

And contributing to causes they feel strongly about is a very Democratic precept.

However, I'm not surprised to see critics of Democratic precepts trying to cast this all in as much of a negative light as they possibly could.

I can't wait to see what they say on inaugeration day itself? Jeez, they've been picking apart this administration before it's even begun. For a while I was keeping a list.
"Obama's going to raise our electric rates"
"Obama is going to bankrupt the coal industry"
"Obama is going to force our kids into a military boot camp"

but they got to be too much, it was turning into a full time job.
Now we can add

"Inaugeration is too expensive"
"song sung by little children smacks of communism"

Lord, the 20th is going to be really fun day around these boards.

 

[pooh4evr]

Well there a 2 ways I look at it- the counrty need something to be happy and excited about, a new direction and all- on the other hand this could have beena real opportunity for them to say hey we are cutting back to - we're all in this together sorrt of thing- use the money for something else or for heavens sake save it- I ahve also heard of people complaining about Michelle O re-doing the entire white house (could be a rumor and probably is) but how much is that going to cost too- Just my 2 cents I sure hope whatever happens this is the start of the turn around we all need!

 

[ckay87]

I fail to understand how it is wasteful if it's not being paid for with tax-payer dollars? Could someone explain?

 

[agnes!]

The White House building and infrastructure(heating/cooling, water, sewer, electrical, etc. are probably overdue for a major rehaul. It has nothing to do with whomever is *in* the White House, it has to do with the battering that place takes on a daily basis, simply *because* it is the seat of power. I think the last major renovation was during Truman's administration, when the building was basically entirely dis-assembled and then reconstructed with safety protocols in mind.

In other words, when Truman took office, it was discovered that the physical building had deteriorate to the point of imminent collapse. And I'm sure that the wallpaper/paint/curtains/rugs all probably need to be re-done (at the very least).

agnes!

 

[JB111107]

Ever year is more expensive because every year the price of stuff goes up. It is no more excessive or wasteful than any other president. There are probably a lot more security issue than any other president but an inuaguration in and of is self is meant to be a ostentatious display.

Uh..sorry but you're WAY off on that statement. He's topped any previous inauguration by at least 300%.

The ceremony was never intended to be an "ostentatious display". A celebration, sure, but not an overblown, over-the-top waste of taxpayer's money. The city will be effectively cut off from vehicle traffic into the city that day, and you can only attend if you have a ticket, so there wont be millions of people just showing up out of the blue.

We are a country at war. We are a country in the midst of an economic crisis. To pretend like this isnt the case for the sake of throwing a monumental party is just idiotic in my opinion, no matter WHO it is. To me it is inconsiderate of the many Americans who are struggling right now to put food on the table.

This inauguration is no more historic than any other one that has taken place in this country. No matter how hard they might try to invoke his spirit and portray Obama as the second coming of...someone...he is no Abraham Lincoln, and he's no messiah.

 

[DisneyMomOK]

Approximately four times the cost of Bush's inauguration in 2005 ($42.5 to $150-160), seems excessive.

 

[lisadr]

Approximately four times the cost of Bush's inauguration in 2005 ($42.5 to $150-160), seems excessive.

Well gee, if only 400k turned out to see GW and they are expecting on the low end 2 million for PE Obama-I guess that would make sense-no?

 

[SwedishMeatball]

Approximately four times the cost of Bush's inauguration in 2005 ($42.5 to $150-160), seems excessive.

It is, but I guess he feels entitled to it.