Are we upset by the money spent for the inauguration events?
Asked by
kelly (
1918
)
January 18th, 2009
Estimates are $150 million for the festival plus $75—$100 million for extra security to be paid by Virginia, Maryland and DC taxpayers. (Congress only authorized $15 million to reimburse DC) Plus the hundreds of millions paid by attendees. IT IS OBSCENE!!! In these times, how excessive. How many thousands of cases of food would this have provided to food pantries, etc. I feel It is a taste of spending to come.
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26 Answers
How does it compare to the inauguration in 2004?
Your last sentence makes me feel like you have an agenda to push.
Bush’s inauguration in 2005 was $157 million…that’s a lot of Top Ramen too…and to answer your question I think it’s a complete waste no matter who is President…just get on with it and do your job…
http://mediamatters.org/items/200901180003
It’s a lot less money compared to the money wasted on a pointless war.
If it keeps the President I voted for from being shot, stabbed or blown up and gets him into office to keep some promises he made to me, I don’t give a fuck how big of a party we throw for him.
@asmonet. Excellent. That’s all I need to say about your answer. LURVE
Oh and for the record, I live in Virginia, I pay those exact taxes you mentioned. And I’m tickled pink about it.
@Bluefreedom: Thanks. :D
Umm yes…. I saw a commercial for it today and it pretty much went like this: ” On Tuesday… One Man… Will Inaugurate the Fuck Out of You! BARACK OBAMA! Tuesday Tuesday Tuesday! You’ll Swear He Swore In Your Fucking Face For Four Years of Badassery! Also Gravedigger with Crush 23 Foreign Made Cars! Tune in Tuesday On ABC! Your Inauguration Station!!”
I went to Ticket Master and immediately bought 4 tickets
You are aware that some of the $100m for security is also for the security of your fellow citizens attending the ceremonies, I hope. I know at least 20 people who are heading down for the day. Are they not to be protected?
A young man whose family is basically my family now (so, then, it’s my nephew) is singing tomorrow night at the Kennedy Center. What if some nutball decided (s)he was going to blow stuff up? I say let them spend what they need to so my nephew can go sing his heart out before our people and his President and not worry about his safety, thank you very much.
I think the point they were trying to make is that it seems like a lot of money to spend, while the rest of the country is dealing with the fucked up economy. It’s like saying “California is broke, but let’s throw a $200 million dollar party…whoo hoo”
It’s history raise a glass and enjoy the moment. Sometimes, people need some fun. And one could argue in this climate the DC Metro area where I live could especially appreciate a day of festivities and joy after the last eight years. Whatever the cost in the short-term.
Now, would you like some champagne?
@asmonet. I would like some champagne. In fact, could you make it a Mimosa please? :o)
I got my ass handed to me back in 2004 when I bitched about the cost. A lot of the money is actually private funds. I’m still pissed about the 350 BILLION.
We should be. It was the Final “fuck you” of this administration.
@asmonet: Definitely up for some champagne :-)
I’m not american… so… no. Go ahead and spend it all.
I’m very heartfelt at your nephew’s love for our new president. I’m sure he’s absolutely in love with the new President’s policies. And I’m sure it was definitely worth it to pay for Aretha Franklin to huff a song into the microphone with her dying breaths as well. You can’t spend the next four years comparing Obama to the last president as your only point of defense. This is completely unrelated to the war so stop using it as a cop-out.
“People need some fun”? Define fun. I would call an inauguration many things, but fun isn’t one of them. There aren’t exactly water slides and mascots with ice cream cones. But I’m sure you’re right about the local residents. I’m sure they enjoyed their trash-littered streets and impossible traffic for those few days. Feels good to finally receive what you’ve earned.
Barrack is treated just like a celebrity. If you don’t believe me then read Chris Rock’s interview regarding the new President on CNN. He’s directly compared to Will Smith and Brad Pitt. Find some young kid wearing an Obama shirt and ask them one question regarding any one of Obama’s policies. I’m sure they’ll have plenty of insight on the situation. Maybe they’ll even have a new ‘Sweet Sasha’ beanie baby! It’s cute that they tried to deny the dolls’ relation to the President’s daughter when they’re the only black dolls on the website: http://www.ty.com/TyGirlz_Home
How about you celebrate after he’s actually done something…
Occasionally. I don’t actually dislike Obama at all, just politics in general.
Inaugurations can cost as much as they want, so long as it doesn’t involve tax money.
The only relevant inauguration costs are tthose to the taxpayers. Who cares how much private money is spent???
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