Some Now Question Cost of Inauguration

[SillyGoose]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20050114/ap_on_go_pr_wh/inaugural_price_tag&e=4

<snip>
Weeks ago, the inauguration and its accompanying costs were considered a given, an historic ceremony with all the pomp, pageantry and celebrations that the nation had come to expect every four years.


But a recent confluence of events — the tsunami natural disaster, Bush's warning about Social Security finances and the $5 billion-a-month price tag for the war in Iraq — have many Americans now wondering why spend the money the second time around.


While the Presidential Inaugural Committee hopes to raise $40 million in private donations for the balls, parades and candlelight dinners for high-roller donors, millions of government dollars will be spent on construction of the platform and stands at the Capitol, police overtime, military personnel and the tightest security for the first post-Sept. 11 inaugural.


The questions have come from Bush supporters and opponents: Do we need to spend this money on what seems so extravagant?
<snip>

I'm glad this is finally getting some attention in the press. It is so obscene that * is giving himself a 4 day partying binge during times like these.
:grr:

[k8conant]

1. Such a binge and after such a vote-getting spree!!!! n/t

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

2. Yes because the corporate barons must grease the palms of the emperor

and thus buy access to his favor.

[NYC]

3. The article is rated 3.22.

Its current average rating is 3.22 with 9 votes.

There aren't many votes so far. I think this story needs to get around, especially the part about "Bush supporters" questioning the extravagance.

[SheilaT]

4. I lived in DC for a number of years

and noticed that years a Republican was being inaugurated, there was an excess of partying and spending on the inaugural and events around it. Years a Democrat was inaugurated, there was more fiscal restraint.

There's also a meanness when Republicans are in power that's just not there when Democrats are.

I'm sure lots of others have noticed these same things.

[intheflow]

7. I went to the last inaug. protest 4 years ago.

If I had a dime for every time a rich, fur-wearing white person in cowboy boots told me to "get over it," I could have paid for one of the inaugural balls myself. They were very mean-spirited--not a whit of compassonate conservatism among them!

[Massachusetts]

23. JUST PIGS AT THE TROUGH!

[babylonsister]

9. I heard today Clinton spent

$33 million for his inauguration. It wasn't an issue to me then, but with all that's going on nowadays, I'm appalled this admin isn't more sensitive. Nah, not really, it's the least I could expect, sadly.

[TankLV]

18. He could have spent twice that amount - he earned it.

Paid off the deficit
trillions in surplusses
peace all over
record employment
record stock market
record profits and savings for everyone.

He earned it.

Bunkerboy is a miserable failure and we lavish billions on him and his gang of criminals and thieves.

[tblue37]

21. Clinton's FIRST inauguration was $33 million.

His second was only $23 million.

[JI7]

22. and we also didn't have all these problems in the country as now

which are mostly Bush's fault also.

[tanyev]

5. Rating now down to 2.19

Work it back up!

[il_lilac]

12. Done and kick

Keep this story rated! Thanks
:kick:

[proud2BlibKansan]

6. Sure I suppose it's only fair

to let shrub party but it was also fair to let him have some vacation time.

That's one of his biggest problems - he abuses his perks.

[CrispyQ]

8. Wonder how much blow he's gonna buy for his 'blow' out?

Loser.

[Nitrogenica]

10. SOME!?

Good Grief!

[intheflow]

11. Rate it up! 2.58 with 61 votes!

:kick: :kick: :kick:

[GreatCaesarsGhost]

13. local news here did a story on hotel packages.

the ritz-carlton was one. for $150,000 they'll send a butler to pack for you in your new $20,000 set of luggage. plus they'll put rose petals on your bed. there's more but i can't remember all of it. it was really pathetic.

[TankLV]

19. but does it include a blow job!

[vanboggie]

14. Keep it going up

2.80 with 69 votes

[Pirate Smile]

15. The fact that they want to stick DC with part of the bill is what pisses

me off.

[havocmom]

16. Hear hear. They did the same to cities when Cheney stopped in to pick

up $$- stuck cash strapped cities with huge costs for extra police hours, traffic control, closing down streets, and so on. Rich, thieving bastards are taking school books out of the hands of inner city kids when they make cities pick up the tab for keeping them safe.

How about this: They stop shafting the citizens, increasing poverty, causing families to lose kin to a war without reason and then MAYBE they wouldn't have so many people mad at them that they need armies of $ecurity personnel to keep protesters out of sight.... *phew, lemme catch my breath8

[OneBlueSky]

17. this coronation is one obscenity piled on another . . .

think how many military vehicles in Iraq could be fitted with protective armor plating for that price tag . . . or how many hungry families could be fed . . . or how many supplies could be sent to aid tsunami victims . . . or how many after-school programs could be saved . . . and on, and on, and on . . . it's just obscene, particularly at a time when US troops are dying daily . . .

[Erika]

20. Bush is an elitist

Unlike Nixon, Carter,Reagan, Ford, Clinton, he's never worked a day in his life. He's used to taking tax payer money to build the likes of the Texas Stadium. He has a total disconnect with the working class or the kids he sent to die. He doesn't "dirty his hands" on those matters much like his mother "doesn't ruin her beautiful mind by thinking of our dead military".

Yes, he could send a message to the world by cancelling the balls and just attend a swearing in. He's too elitist. Let all others eat cake. Four more years of hell.

[struggle4progress]

24. TV News in my neck o'th' woods has been commenting on it. eom