Today in the Associated Press it announced that Obama has already raised $27 Million for Inaugural Festivities and that they will have no problem reaching $40.
Cough. Cough.
$27 Million?
Seriously?
I think I am having a hard time with this one.
Yes, I get that it's the President's inauguration.
Yes, I understand that THIS particular inaugural will be historic.
I get it! I get it!
But can't it be something more like $1million?
I mean, the most lavish of weddings cost around $300,00- $500,00 right? Can we add in another $500,000 just for security (maybe more...I have no idea what security costs) and call it a day?
I realize that presidents in the past have spent this amount of money....but I guess I am having a harder time with this one simply because of a phrase Obama used during his campaign,
"I am my brother's Keeper"
I believed in this phrase and I believe that he means it.
So how does one go about being okay with spending $27 million on just a party when our country is struggling through tough economic times?
How does one be okay spending this amount of money when there are people on the other side of the world who don't have clean water?
Why do people give so much money for a party...when it can go to better our country.......and our world?
My questions can go on and on.
I say, let's make our country a better place....THEN let's throw a party.
I know it's not that simple.....but I think Obama's inaugural festivities would have so much more of an impact....and would be even more so historic......if he planned a simple party.
A party with out all the fluff.....and instead did something with the millions and millions of monetary donations to help along "his brother".
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10 comments:
I totally agree with you on this. But why do I think this happens?
Because ...
... all politicians are the same at the end of the day.
... our government, regardless of branch or party, is all about wasting money and doing things as innefficiently as possible.
... politicians care more about the economy than the poor (this is why they will spend billions to bail out a failing automotive industry and their crappy cars that no one wants to buy, but they refuse to give much needed tax dollars to build these http://www.allwaterpurification.com/dean-kamen-water-purifier.html and send them to countries who need clean water--because they don't generate profit.
Sorry to sound jaded and cynical. Some politicians are better or worse than others on a small scale, but in the broad scheme of things, they are all pretty much the same. They all want money, fame, sound bytes, best-selling book deals, approval ratings, and most of all, power.
Your plan would really have an impact and send the message that this administration WILL run differently.
Good food for thought.
Amen. I love the history of all of this, and I love that with his cabinet choices he seems very moderate, but I have two things to say:
(1) He's just like the rest of them.
(2) When he said "Change," what he meant was, "Can you spare any change for my inauguration bash?" :)
I have been waiting for this blog post!!
My sentiments exactly...
thank you.
i am NOT okay with this.
i wouldn't be okay with ANY politician doing this.
i hesitate to say anything because i don't want to be viewed as "having his back" without being willing to be critical of obama (because i don't think he's like the rest of them). i will say i absolutely agree that it is too much. but i'll also say that i respect that he's raising the funds rather than taking it out of tax payer money. people are CHOOSING to give to him. i get annoying emails from him every other day asking if i would give "just $25" to help with the cost of the inauguration. actually, that is where i'm critical. i supported his campaign as much as i could for over a year and i hate that they are still asking for money.
i do wonder what costs so much.
It IS a lot of money and even though past presidential inaugurations have raised the same amounts of money it's especially hard to stomach during these economic times. I'm not excited about it but I'm conflicted about this one. Do I think the money could be better spent elsewhere? Of course. And if the majority of the money were spent on glamourous items like caviar and champagne I would be appalled. However, the bulk of the money will be spent on ten jumbo screens so that people two miles from the inauguration can see the event, thousands of portable toilets, neighborhood events and the organizing of a community service day. As you pointed out, it is an incredibly significant event in history that thousands of people will be coming to witness. So even though I'm not thrilled about the amount of money being spent, I'm glad the money will be spent on allowing the person who has traveled miles to actually see the swearing in (as well as have use of a toilet, right Diane?) and not on unlimited champagne for celebrities since the balls will have cash bars.
Ok Let me say that I was not an Obama supporter I am repulican all the way. I do like Obama so far though and here's why (concerning your blog).
This is an enormous amount of money and it IS shocking.
I have to give kudo's to Obama though because other Presidents have had these multi-million dollar parties also but it was paid for by the government.
The money for Obama's party(ies) come from private donations.
Also, all of that money will go into and give a boost to our economy - Hooray! It is basically what the stimulas plan is trying to accomplish accept this way the money is coming out of the pockets of the wealthy and into our economy and that is a good thing. Hooray!
I hear what you are saying, and to some extent agree. But remember the number of people who will be employed, albeit temperarily, by this event. Most of the money will go to the lowest level of jobs; the cooks, the janitors, the seamstresses and tailors. Yes some is going to go to overpaid decorators and venue managers,but more money will go directly into the hands of people that need it, and for work actually done,than the financial bail out has done so far. And most of it has come from people who want to donate to this celebration, rather than the whole population via taxes, who may or may not want to help those greedy --- who have ripped this country off. Private employment for a hugh party. I pray the spirit of celebration of who we are and what we can do continues. It is the best hope for the economy and the country.
i think the end total for all the parties was $130 million!!!!! How's that for putting your money where your mouth is?
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