When George Bush spent $40 million on his inaugural celebration he was castigated for his profligacy at a time when we were at wars and the homeless needed cable -ready television sets. The Messiah’s party will cost $150 million, we’re still at war, the economy isn’t doing so well and now the homeless need digital conversion boxes, but that’s okay because he ain’t the ol’ Debbil’ Bush.
In 2005, Reps. Anthony Weiner, D-N.Y., and Jim McDermott, D-Wash., asked Bush to show a little less pomp and be a little more circumspect at his party.
“President Roosevelt held his 1945 inaugural at the White House, making a short speech and serving guests cold chicken salad and plain pound cake,” the two lawmakers wrote in a letter. “During World War I, President Wilson did not have any parties at his 1917 inaugural, saying that such festivities would be undignified.”
The thinking was that, with the nation at war, excessive celebration was inappropriate. Four years later, the nation is still at war. Unemployment has risen sharply. And Obama pressed Congress to release the second half of a $700 billion bailout package in hopes of rescuing a faltering banking industry.
Obama’s inauguration committee says it is mindful of the times and is not worried people will see the four days of festivities as excessive.
“That is probably not the way the country is going to be looking at it,” said committee spokeswoman Linda Douglass. “It is not a celebration of an election. It is a celebration of our common values.”
Douglass said the campaign sought to keep costs down by having the same decorations at each of the 10 balls, eliminating floral arrangements and negotiating prices on food.
Wow; if this is what they call being careful with our money, just imagine how they’ll care for the extra trillion they’re taking from us this year.
For What It's Worth 
Hello, this is all part of the stimulus!
Chris, Republicans got us into this mess! The fact that you voted for the retard ticket of McCain-Palin makes your opinion worthless. Your judgement is suspect. Stick to real estate.
Have any enterprising reporters asked Congressmen Weiner and McDermott to comment on the cost of Obama’s inaugural?
Hiram – they sure did. From the same article I linked to, here’s his response:
“Those at the Obama administration are trying to be reflective of the climate,” McDermott’s spokesman, Mike DeCeasar, said Saturday.
Now doesn’t that make you feel better?
Dear anonymous. There is an organization that can help you with your BDS. Comprised solely of people who, faced with any criticism of their Messiah, foam at the mouth and scream “Bush! Bush!”, these people meet daily to reflect on their lives, where they went wrong and why they can’t live in a world without the former president.
I think they could help you – give it a try.
Every American needs to go down to Washington and then drive around the Beltway cities which have sprouted up like weeds on government fertilizer: Miles of government contractors, bureaucrats, regulators, and other tax devouring entities which produce no wealth but loyal Democrat voters, enough to put Virginia in the D column.
No recession there, my friends, and there never will be. There is no representation in Congress, other than for Democrat special interests, but there is plenty of taxation. Democrats are totally corrupt while at the same time blaming Republicans. When are The People going to wake up?
The American Empire is going the way of the Romans, i.e., rotting from within. Hayak’s The Road to Serfd0m foretold what is happening to America- the question is, when are The People finally going to rebel? Where are the leaders of the New American Revolution?
You are an arrogant, self-centered jerk. This is history. If you know a black person, much less are friends with them, ask them what this means to them. Ask them how they cried when he was elected. This is a celebration of America. This is a celebration of everything we are supposed to be.
Well I cried when he was elected too, but you don’t see me advocating spending $150 million to mark the occasion.
Best yet!