Wow, An Inauguration Is Expensive And Stuff
Couldn't we better spend this money somewhere else?
"I was just outraged when I was made aware of the amount of money being spent on a party," said Sandra Mikovich-Pogorelc, a manager for a pharmaceutical company near San Diego who e-mailed her disgust to the White House."The money could be used for other things. I don't resent anyone who goes. I just feel it's such a waste." [...]
Internet blog sites [...] are filled with discussions about the human suffering that could be alleviated with the $35 million to $40 million being spent on the inauguration. [...]
"I truly believe that if it could be divvied up, a lot of people could benefit," said Mikovich-Pogorelc [...] "It's just a shame to spend that kind of money to eat and drink and get fatter."
Wow, $35 to $40 million dollars just to inaugurate a President? I mean, I understand that there needs to be security and bathroom facilities, but wow! Can't we spend that money on the poor or needy or homeless or on our troops?
Oh wait...my bad. That was from 2005, talking about the BUSH swearing-in. This is different. The government and charitable donors wouldn't waste that sort of money on just a party for Obama, would they?
The country is in the middle of the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression, which isn't stopping rich donors and the government from spending $170 million, or more, on the inauguration of Barack Obama .The actual swearing-in ceremony will cost $1.24 million, according to Carole Florman, spokeswoman for the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies.
It's the security, parties and countless Porta-a-Potty rentals that really run up the bill.
The federal government estimates that it will spend roughly $49 million on the inaugural weekend. Washington, D.C., Virginia and Maryland have requested another $75 million from the federal government to help pay for their share of police, fire and medical services.
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