For a mere 50K, you get a 4-day inauguration trip

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For a mere 50K, you get a 4-day inauguration trip
By PETE YOST – 11 hours ago

WASHINGTON (AP) — The inauguration committee of President-elect Barack Obama, who ran on a platform to change the way business is done in Washington, is selling four-day packages of four tickets to his historic swearing-in ceremony and parade plus some extras in exchange for $50,000.

The deal does represent a change. President Bush charged $250,000, selling his supporters a much bigger menu of inaugural goodies that featured more tickets, more events and more contact with the president and vice president.

On Friday, members of the Obama National Finance Committee were spreading the word about their package to friends and associates around the country. The money the inaugural committee raises will help pay for the festivities.

"We've been waiting for this day for eight years," crowed committee member Michael Caplin, when contacted by The Associated Press about the offer he was e-mailing to friends and associates.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5j1twAcbZRszQPQAhTeXtbvO8VRkgD951U8N80
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WTF? Out of touch with the common man a bit? The economy's in the crapper, the middle class is barely holding on for its life, houses are being foreclosed all over the place, and this is what you have to pay to see the inauguration? What a load of crap. People are freezing in the northeast, jobs are disappearing faster than tickets to a playoffs game, and everyone is wondering how they're going to afford to have a "merry" Christmas, or "happy" holiday. Instead of an inaugural party for the rich or the well-off, they should be planning a nice, inexpensive ceremony with room for everyone at the table, and try to relate to those who can afford it least. What a bunch of hooey. Change? Nothing to see here, folks, move along.

[WorseBeforeBetter]

1. Check out some of the inauguration "deals" on Craiglist for the DC area...

it's insane.

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4. Oh, I don't care for myself

I'm taking in a great big disability check out of which I have about $100 discretionary income--a month. And that discretionary income has to cover clothing, oil, vet bills, and about a hundred other things every month. I couldn't afford to go even if I thought it was important enough to go. I just think it sucks to exclude so many people who would love to go and can't get even close enough to dream about it. There is no need for this kind of extravagance, no matter WHO it is. If this is how things are shaping up right now, I wonder how much actual "change" is going to come along. I'm not going to hold my breath to see a while lot of shit changing no matter which party is sitting in the oval office.

[stillcool]

6. 50,000 vs 250,000...

where's the 'change'?

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9. There is very little change

between either amount, if neither is within the reach of the average citizen. It's just as difficult to climb a 5000 foot high mountain than a 10000 foot one if the tools to do so are not there. Poverty is still poverty no matter how much you split hairs.

[stillcool]

10. Nor would there be with $5000.00, or $500.00,..

or $50.00..as far as I'm concerned. I can't afford it at any price, because I can't afford to travel, and stay anywhere for 4 days of events. I guess if I can't do it nobody can?

[babylonsister]

2. When 4-5 million people want to see Obama inaugurated,

I'm in. It's a spectacle I can't wait to see. And, as has been brought up, many people in DC will make lots of money.

And it won't cost anyone that amount of money except the people who can afford it, and don't care.

[sandnsea]

3. They are

But somebody has to pay for the expanded use of the Mall, the huge TV screens, and who knows what other costs are involved.

Sunday, Jan 18: A welcome afternoon event open to the public.
Monday, Jan. 19: Mr. Obama, Vice President-elect Joe Biden and their families "will participate in activities dedicated to serving others in communities across the Washington, D.C., area." Those activities will be in connection with congressional recognition of the King holiday as "a national day of community service."
Tuesday, Jan. 20: Traditional inaugural ceremonies, including the swearing-in on the West Front of the Capitol at noon, a lunch in the Capitol's Statuary Hall, the 56th Inaugural Parade and official inaugural balls in the evening.
Wednesday, Jan. 21: Mr. Obama and Mr. Biden will participate in a prayer service.

[RollWithIt]

5. Compare that to the six and 7 figure deals for Bush inauguration special events....

And you get less than 50%.

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7. it's a bargain. buy one for a friend or family member...

its christmas and all...

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8. Buy one what?

I suppose I could go to the dollar store and buy shot glasses and stick them into dollar XMas stockings with a can of ginger ale each and make a toast. That's as close as I'll get to the inauguration. Cheers.

Being poor sucks, but it boggles the mind to see so many people celebrating when there is so little to be celebrating about.