$160 Million for a Presidential Inauguration?
(Spending all that needed money for a big party? C,mon!)
Here’s how I think a Presidential Inauguration party should go: an orchestra in tuxedos plays some tunes during which the few thousand guests dance; after which caviar on fancy crackers are served; the President and First Lady perform their traditional dance; the President delivers his Inaugural Address; everybody goes home. It would be simple and dignified, in keeping with the gravitas of the occasion. We are not crowning a King. However, things have changed since the days of John Adams and we must needs change with them, I guess. I plan to be watching re-runs of “Law & Order” and “Monk”.
An estimated two million people have braved the cold and possibly wet Washington mall weather on Tuesday to hear the President’s Address. Ten thousand guests will repair to any or all of the raucus balls which will be staged, going on into the wee hours of the morning, featuring the usual bevy of singers and performers. I wouldn’t want to be on the cleaning crew Wednesday morning.
The days-long festivities kicked off at the National Theater Sunday, with performances by Bruce Springsteen, Bono, Stevie Wonder and others, even including stand-ups by Tom Hanks and Denzel Washington. The party has continued since. I bear no grudges. I am proud pf my country for electing its first black president, especially considering that, not so long ago, black people had to use segregated drinking fountains and bathrooms, segregated schools, even segregated sections of public transportation. It was only 70 years ago that my own state of Florida and others had laws against marriage between black and white couples. It is a tribute to the growing tolerance and true liberality of the American people, and to the increasing realization of the principles upon which this country was founded, that this unprecedented event has taken place. Of course, I say that even though Obama’s politics and that of the Democrats generally are anathema to me. That’s just how it goes sometimes. Anyway, after two years of Democrat rule in the House and four years of Obama, I fully expect another Republican Revolution. And they’d damned well better live up to their conservative beliefs this time!
There is another form of liberality, which has nothing to do with its original meaning of liberation from the crushing heel of government. Quite the opposite in fact. When government imposes excessive taxes on its people, and imposes social and cultural change, often against the peoples’ consent, that it not liberality. It is oppression. The reason I bring the subject up in the context of the Presidential Inauguration, is that the whole damn shindig is estimated to cost 160-million dollars. Now, I grant you the people are entitled to celebrate under the circumstances. But 160-billion, when Washington is talking trillions to stimulate the economy (hah!), bail out the automakers and the banks and who knows what else – well isn’t it just a bit unseemly to spend an Emperor’s ransom just for big party? I would say that “unseemly” is an understatement.
It is a relatively small example of liberals spending like there’s no tomorrow and, let me assure you, those halcyon days are well behind us. As a harbinger of what to expect, it’s hard to think of a worse example.
On the other hand, there are certain things I like about Barack Obama. His determination to wipe out the al-Qaida and Taliban strongholds in Afghanistan, for example. And the moral courage required to choose a pastor to offer up the prayer for his administration and our country who opposes gay marriage.
The first year of Obama’s administration will reveal a lot. In fact, the pre-inauguration statements he’s made reveal a lot, many them questionable at best. Over the next four years, may God bless our country, the world’s last great hope for freedom and democracy.
