$150 Million Inauguration?

Yep.I have been talking about this. It is completely wrong. This country is in serious trouble yet our newly elected leader is spending 150 million on parties. He is having 10 balls and three dinners just to name a few. It is a gross show of extravagence that this country can not afford right now. He should have shown more restraint and responsibility with his inauguration. Heck they said the production cost of his Concert shown on HBO last was 15 million. Did he really need to do that? Was it really necassery? No. It completely sends the wrong message and sets the wrong tone for the start of his presidency. Especially in the current ecomonic climate.

Thing about it is he don't care about the economy or the people that need help from losing their home, or their jobs. To Obama this was nothing more than a popularity contest, and now that we have him as president along with the other democratic congress we are in for more of the same we have been getting over the last 2 years, the democratic congress that put us where we are today. I believe as the winner of the election he is entitled to a party or even a big dinner and party afterwards but don't you think spending $150. million on a 4 day party is a slap in the face to the american people that are fighting to save their homes from their loss of jobs. I think you will find now that he is in office, all those big promises he made while campaigning will be swept under the rug, all I heard when he was running if they don't get a stimilus package out to help the american people before he is sworn in, be his first thing on his list, now I see where he wants to add $10 or $20. dollars onto your pay check each week to be eaten up in taxes. Sure would like to know how this is going to help the people. I don't believe he cares what happens to the poor or disabled, he rants middle class, we they are the ones that put their trust in him. Thinking maybe he cared, I am tired of all the fuss made because he is black, he is a man no more no less. His color which is not only black but part white that you never see him say anything about should have nothing to do with it. What good is his color if he doesn't do anything to help, oh I believe we are in for a change under him, jut don't think it will be a change we will like. I will not watch him being sworn in or the parties afterward. This show he is putting on is to me no more than a slap in the face to the american people.

ahh.. so that's why i read somewhere that Obama warns people of the tough times ahead.. hehe.. that's not setting a good example to his citizens. i wonder what the people who voted for him feels about this now.. if that were me, i'd say to my self i made a bad decision.

And yet when you turn on the TV, you don't see anyone trashing him like they have President Bush for everything that goes wrong. You see children chanting Obama's name as if he is their savior. I believe you will see that no matter what Obama does, he will be praised. He is being treated like a demigod.

I really hope everyone see's that if the money was put to a better use to feeding and sheltering the poor and homeless then wasted on Balls for an Inauguration, then we could really see that he cares about the economy..Right now its like a bad start of wasted funds..

i understand your thinking.... But let me show you my way of thinking!! America is financially dieing atthe present moment....The banks are closing ....and the factories need more money that they produce... So the american people need something to give them hope......obamais that something....a big ceremony is that something.......the only reason they spend all this money is for making people feel better and is something!

This is an historical presidency that is attracting way more attention that others. More people coming to Washington means more security and that in itself probably is a big part of the expense. Certainly, inaugural balls are not at taxpayer expense and I would doubt that the Hollywood performers need payment to perform this weekend. What would you like to do here? Not protect the president and the crowds? Tell Americans not to come to the inauguration of their own president? Also, do not forget that the hordes about to descend on DC must be feed and sheltered and will bring millions into a hard pressed inner city. That of course may be a drop in the bucket washed against $150 mil BUT this is also an event that can help reinforce the power and symbolism of the American presidency and in my opinion that is good for our nation and for the world.

Typical Democrat socialism: Some animals are more equal than others.

$150 million only? How frugal! It's like a peanut to me compared to the experience in my own country, where about 70% lives in excruciating poverty. Please, note that I have considered the expenses relative to the GDP of the 2 countries, not in dollar equivalent terms.

I fully agree in terms of that it is waste and a slap in the face of most of us who worry about the economy and who are struggling to pay their bills. Yes, it's a historic moment and probably a bit more important than the last few inaugurations but this pomp is not necessary, especially not in these times. That said, most of the money is coming from donations, which in essence is a way for people to guarantee that they are there and get a good spot as long as they pony up enough money. Curiously enough, I have seen the name of at least one bank CEO on the high level donor list, of a bank that needed bailout funds... Maybe we can solicit donations from all those people to help along our economy, lol. Obama sweet talked people into donating to his campaign and now his inauguration... let him sweet talk them into donating to the greater good called the rescue of our economy...;) Anyhow, it's not surprising that so much money is being spend after Obama spent billions on his campaign. He is a millionaire himself, accustomed to high level stuff. In the grand scheme of things $150 million is spare change;)

when i saw the news on his inauguration all i could think of is how much money was spent to organize that event. specially with the large crowd. and to put all those cameras and security cameras and etc. i know that they have really spent so much for this special day in history of USA.

I agree with you. I think it is insanity. All I can think of is how many homeless people and animals could be helped with that much money? A million would have been enough and that is even extreme. He should have pointed out the was an extreme amount of money and asked that it be less, but then he plans to tear out a perfectly good bowling alley in the white house to add a basketball court. How much will that cost? Also, I cringe when I see all the Xmas trees and decorations in the White House. Why so many? Why such waste when our country is in such termoil? He should throw that money into the national deficit.

150 million is way too much. Is that just for the ceremony, or is that including the parade and inaugural balls? I hope it's not just for the ceremony, because, geez. I don't know how much security costs, I'm sure that will be one of the main costs, along with the basic energy costs and the cost to set everything up... however beyond that, no one else should be getting paid for performances. It should be completely voluntary. The main problem with Washington is that they like to eat like royalty, so I'm sure the food for lunch and dinner is going to be a huge cost. But if I can have an awesome wedding for 50 bucks a person including cake and an open bar I don't see why they need to spend so much on inauguration day.

I just want to make the comment that the 42+ millon reportedly spent on the bush inauguration does not include the price of security forces and transportation costs. All that details is the price of the social events. The Obama figures do include security and transportation. No, I do not know the specific costs. But this is something that must be considered.

I couldnt' agree more. It seems way to extravagant, given the current economical situtation of our country. I agree that he deserves a celebration, but to spend $150 million dollars is just over the top. I don't feel that it shoud be the priority right now. The priority should be on getting America back on it's feet financially, not in wasting millions of dollars for a days "show".

I think it is totally inappropriate in the current economic situation - and totally irresponsible on his part. Evidently, he is an exception to the rule because of the "first African-American President" status. It is supposed to be considered more of a historic event because of the color of his skin - interesting!

[b]Well, really...is anyone surprised? Maggiepie[/b]

US is going through economic crisis ,such inaugration can be less extravagant

wow .. just for an inauguration.. so much money was spent... that money can be used to help the ppl in America...and alot of people are losing their jobs in US... instead of having so much fuss .. they should be focussing more on helping people.... and people spending $ 10,000 for a room.. just to attend... and people renting people's backyards for 100 bucks a nite.. that too sleeping in tents..... brr..... i say these people have nothing to do.. lol..

I completely agree, $150 million is too much, especially with current economic situation. I think it a waste of money and resourse. I mean, these thing really piss me off because all I can think about is how many there are out there are in need for some cash and are struggling to pay the bills, and here you see these people just wasting money. I could use a few bucks myself you know. I mean, is this inauguration thing really necesary. Why can't he just go on the news and give a big thank you speach and that's it. I too much money and I don't sponsor this at all.