What is the point of re-inaugurating someone who already holds the office?

[bobweaver]

Nothing is officially changing, so why is it an "occasion" that needs to be "celebrated?"

[StephanieMarie]

1. So you can have a big party and pretend that you won.

[Union Thug]

2. Silly, self centered pomp and circumstance.

blah!

[imenja]

3. so they can have their pockets filled by corporate interests

There apparently is not limit on corporate funding for inaugurals, and the energy industry has invested heavily. It's another chance to buy influence. It's also a way for the Republicans to thank their contributers by showing them a good time.
I see no legitimate purpose for something of this level of extravagance.

[lapfog_1]

4. The main purpose is for major contributors

who helped re-elect someone to have a party... and to remind them that
won that they expect their agenda(s) to be enacted.

[Laurab]

5. To piss a lot of people off, as well

or, in other words, to show that they are still going to be as blatantly arrogant as ever, not caring about what anyone who disagrees with their agenda thinks. While the soldiers fight the assholes war with the "army they have, not the one they might want", due to lack of funding. Apparently, having a big party is more important than their lives.

I'm STILL wondering where they're getting the "10,000" soldiers who are supposed to be "dancing at the parties". I thought our soldiers were pretty much tied up right now, and the ones that aren't are probably not capable of dancing.

[MichiganVote]

6. Silly rabbit, this is the Bush family we're talking

Everything these people touch is overdone...

[SmokingJacket]

7. To gloat.

Why else?

[tanyev]

8. The last one was an inauguration.

This one is the coronation.

[oscar111]

9. FDR cancelled the inaug Ball in WW2:NOW also wartime, so cancel inaug.

I warrant that other wartime prez's cancelled this fluff during civil war, ww1, and the like.
Anyone know?

People dying in the streets {homeless die at three times the normal rate} next to the inaugration route, and 50 million is wasted on the parade?

Lunacy.

100 000 die / yr from heat , cold, rat bites.

4 billion dollars would house all of them with the old voucher system that existed pre-Reagan.