There will be many estimates of the cost of President-44's inauguration. The first set of number I saw were over $100Million. Odds are that with the special train episode (Phila-Del-Balt-DC), the numbers will total out over $120Million.

That would mean this inauguration will cost more that the last three inaugurations COMBINED!

It would seem that Step One in the Spend-to-recovery concept is the Hurray-For-Me day.

And as a second thought - since the image of Barack Obama is licensed (probably to the DNC), I wonder how much will be made by the holder of the license on all those plates, tee-shirts, sweatshirts, etc with image - and where will that money go?

Most of the guesstimated costs are for security, due to the expected huge crowds.
There will probably be more people than the "last three inaugurations COMBINED!" to use your phrase.
Ah well, historical occasions are costly.

And don't forget that the majority of funds will not be paid by taxpayers. Actually, I've found $40-45M estimates, so I'm curious where the $100M came from. He's already raised quite a bit of the money.

One sad fact is that security is going to have to be far tighter around Obama than it has any president since Lincoln with probably about the same success rate. Obviously, we taxpayers are going to have to foot the bill for that security.

Anybody see today's concert?
What a show.
Plan on stayng home to watch the Inauguration on Tuesday.
The way I figure it, after the last few years, and the bleak times ahead I think we, the American People, deserve good celebration.
Let's all party like it's 1999!

Is this political? Oops, I'm outta here

I know that nobody cares what I think, but frankly I was surprised at the lavish spending on this event, and despite MUCH/MOST of the money is coming from our coffers. And those private donations...wonder who they are...any get bailout money ?

Now, this IS an historic event, but I am taken back by President elect Obama not calling for restraint and in fact the DNC called for it to be FORMAL, FORMAL FORMAL !!!

Also, after all the heat President Bush took 4 years ago...I mean the main stream media really took him to task (and most of his was truely private money)the silence from the media is startling.

Well, hold on....I recall during the primary when discussing the checks we all were getting as part of the government revitilization which amounted to $600 each, President elect Obama's wife said that would maybe buy a pair of earrings !!!!!! So, again, hold on...the spending has just begun....

This IS an event, a historic event...but does the money make it that ? Or is it an event on its own merit ?

Originally Posted by SteveZ

There will be many estimates of the cost of President-44's inauguration. The first set of number I saw were over $100Million. Odds are that with the special train episode (Phila-Del-Balt-DC), the numbers will total out over $120Million.

That would mean this inauguration will cost more that the last three inaugurations COMBINED!

It would seem that Step One in the Spend-to-recovery concept is the Hurray-For-Me day.

And as a second thought - since the image of Barack Obama is licensed (probably to the DNC), I wonder how much will be made by the holder of the license on all those plates, tee-shirts, sweatshirts, etc with image - and where will that money go?

Hey, if I were the first African American President, I'd have a "Hooray for Me" Day too! But, actually it's Hooray for America! As far as the amount of people go, let's not forget that President Obama did not invite them personally. The American people want this celebration-- and I agree, we deserve it!

No question that security-related costs will be exceptionally high. Knowing all that, and the state of the economy and the deficit, why needless events, such as the train ride from Philadelphia to DC, were held is as insult.

Accountability includes consideration for those paying the bill, as well as all the hard-working people having to pull extra duty to keep everyone safe throughout the event(s). President Bush was rightly chastised for his carrier landing stunt. President-Elect Obama has now showed the same disdain for the taxpayer and those persons who try to keep everyone safe.

Originally Posted by SteveZ

No question that security-related costs will be exceptionally high. Knowing all that, and the state of the economy and the deficit, why needless events, such as the train ride from Philadelphia to DC, were held is as insult.

Accountability includes consideration for those paying the bill, as well as all the hard-working people having to pull extra duty to keep everyone safe throughout the event(s). President Bush was rightly chastised for his carrier landing stunt. President-Elect Obama has now showed the same disdain for the taxpayer and those persons who try to keep everyone safe.

I do not know how long it will take, but those who are worshiping at his feet right now will find that he is nothing but a politician !!! A silver tongued politician, but nothing but a politician !!!

The whole thing makes me sick. Truly. This country is slipping away and the kool-aid drinkers are celebrating.

They partied when Rome was burning too. So, I guess it really IS historic.

I don't care what color the man is, he's not what this country needs and neither are his cohorts like Pelosi, Reid, Frank, Dodd, et al. They're all drunk with power and money.

I'll be on my knees praying to God for the next 4 years.

Nobody needs to agree with me or comment. Just my personal opinion and conviction.

Originally Posted by Bucco

I do not know how long it will take, but those who are worshiping at his feet right now will find that he is nothing but a politician !!! A silver tongued politician, but nothing but a politician !!!

As I'm sure you know, my vote would have gone to Hillary if I'd had the choice. However, it is what it is.

Of course Obama is a politician. I don't think he's ever denied that. His entire career path has been towards this goal. I think he'll do some good, some bad and make some mistakes. His biggest pluses so far has been his willingness to tell the American people what he hopes to do and why and picking some very good advisors. That's a lot more than I can say about Bush.

I'm sure that most politicians hope to accomplish at least some of what they promise and, if they're (and we are)lucky, 20% will be accomplished. Events and practicality will win out over wishful thinking every time. And for those who actually believe any politician's campaign promises, I know of a truly beautiful bridge for sale. It could even be moved to the Florida swampland these folks already own.

Originally Posted by redwitch

As I'm sure you know, my vote would have gone to Hillary if I'd had the choice. However, it is what it is.

Of course Obama is a politician. I don't think he's ever denied that. His entire career path has been towards this goal. I think he'll do some good, some bad and make some mistakes. His biggest pluses so far has been his willingness to tell the American people what he hopes to do and why and picking some very good advisors. That's a lot more than I can say about Bush.

I'm sure that most politicians hope to accomplish at least some of what they promise and, if they're (and we are)lucky, 20% will be accomplished. Events and practicality will win out over wishful thinking every time. And for those who actually believe any politician's campaign promises, I know of a truly beautiful bridge for sale. It could even be moved to the Florida swampland these folks already own.

There are a lot of buyers out there right now for your bridge and swampland for sure.

Everything you say is true......this money being spent on the event and the pomp and circumstances being generated are akin to a coronation.

Each time we swear in a new President there is an element of hope with the change....a hope that he can do what he promised, but the founding fathers warned a number of times about even approaching a coronation !!!!

It just seems to me that we have lost the media as someone to keep everyone not only informed but the politicians on the right road...we have made sure that there will be no objection in our bodies of lawmakers and have given the key, with NO restrictions, to a man who certainly has promise but has never done anything but run for office and is able to generate excitement with his oratory skills. I would feel much better with a person of accomplishments !

As I said before, this IS A HISTORIC EVENT, but wouldnt it be one WITHOUT THE MONEY AND POMP ???

Agree!

It is ALWAYS an historic event. It does not matter a hoot what the President-Elect's gender, pigmentation, ethnic background, orientation or physical stature is. If it does matter, then that's saying less for us all, and the event becomes a patronizing sham.

Dr. King's eloquent vision of where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character prayed for not only a color-blind society, but also for one which did not accent personal accormplishments as a racial plateau being reached.

To some, Mr. Obama is the first African-American to become president. To others like me, he is the first AMERICAN born in Hawaii, the latest of the 50 states to become president. If we don't see him as that, Dr. King's prayer has fallen on deaf or self-serving ears.

[QUOTE=KayakerNC;183694]Most of the guesstimated costs are for security, due to the expected huge crowds.
There will probably be more people than the "last three inaugurations COMBINED!" to use your phrase.
Ah well, historical occasions are costly.[/QUO

AMEN !!!!