Obama's Inauguration breaking cost records

Interesting post. I'm glad you posted it. I had read the same analysis. In fact I recently read an article that compared an AP article criticizing Bush for the amount he spent in his last inauguration to one that they recently wrote, enthusiastically looking forward to Obama's upcoming celebration that is roughly triple the cost. In my mind our country needs some distraction and we should be celebrating the historical element of his presidency. What bothers me is the double standard.

Wow! That much huh? And here I was worrying about the economy and all those people who have nothing to eat! I didn't realize that the government actually have that much money to spend on Obama's Inauguration. Well, since the government has that much money to spend, I hope they also spend more money to bail out the hurting taxpayers too. And while they are it, would they be so kind as to give us our jobs back too?

Although I voted for Obama, I felt like this. Have the swearing in, let folks be a witness to the moment. Nothing wrong with that. Do the parade and call it a day. Reason: Because if we're in a financial bind, we should be spending money on getting back on our feet to me. My SO said well, the inauguration would mean jobs for folks in the local area. I said ok, but for what a day or couple of days at the very most? but knowing my people(African Americans), we love a party. Nothing wrong with that, but I also feel that it is not him whose spending the money, but the big wigs in Washington, special interest groups, etc, etc that are doing this. I may be wrong. but just my take. We got other parties going down nationwide as well as balls, praise gatherings and other events to herald in his office. Not to mention countless folks praying over him and his family to boot. So I get your point on the spending.

it is all coming out of our pockets too. and no, we should not be spending this kind of money right now. but it is one more example of not listening to what people say but looking at what they do. words or useless. actions speak way louder!

I think everyone is looking at this as a mark in history, maybe that is why they are going all out for the event. I personally think all the political parties, etc are a waste of money. I'm sorry, but it is their job to serve the country. That is the job they signed up for and the job they wanted so why should they throw big parties, etc to celebrate it? Especially at taxpayer's expense. I don't throw a big party for my job at someone else's expense. In fact, if I wanted to throw a party my employer wouldn't foot the bill, so why should we as taxpayer foot the bill for a political party?

lol! I am so glad that I am not the only one who thinks this way! I was at school and someone mentioned how excited they were about the inauguration and I said that I think it is ridiculous for them to spend this much money on a party when we are clearly having a recession and economic worries. I received looks that could kill. I think that the president and the president-elect should definitely show restraint and set an example to the rest of the nation. Honestly, I could think of a hundred other things 150+ million dollars could be better for than a bunch of parties. I get that it's the whole "historical event" thing, but how can they spend that much money when people are homeless and loosing jobs? It makes me sick to my stomach.

In my opinion, I don't think they should be spending the money. Why not make it a pot luck? On the other side of the coin, I do understand why they are. The history of this event is HUGE! The historical significance is a once in a life time. Maybe a chili cook off?

I read a different estimate. Aside from security and the actual swearing in (which must be there after all), the cost estimate I've read is $45 million and that is only slightly higher than the second Bush inauguration and we will hopefully have more to celebrate this time. Of course the cost of security will be high with such huge crowds but we have to protect our presidents. The Obama ianauguration has taken pains to limit contributions so that expensive lobbyists don't control the festivities and they have even included a "neighborhood Ball" with free tickets for ordinary people. The Obamas will attend that one. We have a very tarnished presidency and anything that this inauguration can do to restore its image is, as far as I'm concerned, money well spent. I would not expect any modern president to sit down to a cold lunch anymore than I would expect the Queen of England to serve hot dogs at a royal wedding.

I didn't expect anything less from this man and his party of supporters. $150 MILLION on a few days of parties. Amazing. While the country around him is crumbling and people are becoming homeless every minute or losing their jobs - he's wasting money that could be better spent to help the people he claimed he would help when he was out there spewing his lies and false promises before the elections. Imagine how many people he could help with that money. It makes me sick. Any little bit of respect I had for this man has gone out the window. And if it's not Obama doing this but the big wigs in Washington and all the other Democrats, that doesn't really change things in my opinion. Obama is our new President and if he can't put his foot down and tell people that he will have ONE dinner and ONE ball - and any other funds that would be raised or spent would be used to help the American people, then he really isn't any better than the people who are planning these events. I mean, these are the people that he lines himself up with so he's just as bad as they are. But then.. I'm sure Oprah, bless her huge giving heart, is funding everything. I've lost all respect for her too. I can't wait for these next 4 years to be OVER so we can move on from this insane crap and get back to the real world and not Hollywoodland.

Excellent analysis. Unfortunately it will fall on deaf ears. If there's one thing I've noticed consistently it's that the liberals here will never listen to, much less respond to the indefensible actions of Obama. They all ignored his lies about not hiring lobbyists and they'll ignore his wastefulness with taxpayer dollars over a freaking celebration. It's not an inauguration to them, it's a big celebrity parade. If he really cared about taxpayer dollars he'd be fundraising for this instead of just wasting our money. Clearly he has the ability to raise ridiculous amounts of money, but why bother when it's on someone else's dime.

Well, if I am wrong, correct me but I think this has been funded quite a bit by donations, don't know about all of them though. Yes, I do see all of your points of view but the reality is that there are going to be a lot of people there and that is going to be more money. More money for security, more money for food, more money for whatever. I don't really know if it is needed, of course I don't know if I'd even go to the event if I could. But for some people this is big, so I have mixed thoughts on this, really.

I think the whole thing is self indulgent, that's what I think. I'm not saying he shouldn't have an inaugeration, I'm just saying it shouldn't be so wasteful.

I hope that despite of the extravagant preparations, we all keep in mind what the event is really for .... =)