Inauguration Extravaganza
Although President-Elect Barack Obama will be sworn in Tuesday, inauguration celebrations started Saturday and, especially, Sunday. Yesterday, Washington was crowded with people celebrating Obama’s victory and the end of the Bush presidency. Many artists, singers and actors joined the crowd and performed live on stage to pay respect and gratitude to the man who will become the leader of the most powerful country on earth.
Experts estimate that the price tag of the parties and inauguration itself will be around $150 million. That is almost four times as much as President George W. Bush spent on his inauguration in 2001.
Obama’s strongest supporters defend the hefty price by arguing that American have to celebrate this moment; it is a historic moment because Obama will be the first black president. Furthermore, they say, the country became uninspired and bored during Bush’s presidency. Obama gives people the impression that the U.S. may finally be on the right track again.
They also argue that a big party may give people hope in difficult times. The economic crisis hit America late last year, millions have lost their jobs or are about to lose them. A massive celebration may give them hope and inspire them to push through the hard times ahead.
Perhaps true. But $150 million is a ridiculous amount to pay for an inauguration. It is lovely that Obama inspires many, but it’s troubling to see him being idolized. The parties make clear that these supporters believe that Obama will change their lives for the better; not enable them to improve their own lives but to do it for them. This is both troubling and distinctly un-American.
If Obama would spend the same amount as Bush 43, they could use $110 million for other purposes. This is waisted money; it will enable Americans to celebrate for three days after which no money will be left. Just let the number sink in for a while: $150 million.
The spending extravaganza is a sign that Americans are exited to have a black president, and someone who inspired rather than depresses, but Obama is wise to play down the idolization of himself. It is impossible for him to live up to the hype and it sends a frightening message to Americans; the president is your savior, he can make all things better.
The idolization is troubling. Eventually it will be Obama’s downfall.
The price is expensive, let’s hope a majority was used to pay workers and will funnel into the economy.
Kind of bizarre that you’d use, as the basis of your article, a link that refutes your point.
Pete: fixed that.
Though still a valid point, I do know that not all of that bill will be footed by the tax-payer. The Obama inauguration team has accumulated some 34 million dollars in donations towards the event. The inaugural committee (a separate entity) is also accumulating funds (and has softer rules than the Obama team for who can contribute) but I haven’t found the figures of how much they’ve accumulated. I know the Obama team keeps pestering me about donating towards the inauguration, as well as participating in the day of service.
Also, you have to keep in mind that while the city of DC will be incurring a lot of costs in putting on the event (overtime for police, clean-up, traffic control etc) the event itself is going to be a huge (and much welcome) business bonus for the town.
Well, Claudia, it looks like indirectly a portion of the private donor money was from the taxpayers as well:
http://bluecrabboulevard.com/2009/01/19/this-will-cause-chapping/
There’s also the typical hypocrisy of the media- I don’t recall which blogger it was but I read a post comparing the press coverage of Bush’s 2004 inaugural celebrations (along the lines of ‘how many Humvees could have been armored with that money?’) to the current explanations of how necessary this extravagance is to mark tomorrow’s occasion in spite of the tough economic times.
is it possible to soften up rules on who can contribute more than Obama already has? I would be surprised if any Presidential campaign was less lax than his was.
Claudia, do you really think that the inauguration would not already be a bonus to the city? That the magic number to become a bonus is 150 mil and not a penny less?