Anybody else think we are spending way too much on the Inauguraton?

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    Am I the only one who thinks the expense of the whole celebration is just overboard ? I mean with the economy tanked and so many peolpe facing job loss aren't there more pressing needs for federal funds than spending so much for security and costing millions of dollars in revenue loss for the District and surrounding counties? Many businesses will not be able to open for visitors to spend $$ or workers won't be able to get there. Maryland and Virginia, which are both broke too, have to foot the bill for their own emergency personnel and other preparations. No federal funds to bail them out.

    I mean don't get me wrong I am not a party pooper by any means, but it just seems arrogant to spend billions, including emergency money from FEMA to put this thing on. I appreciate that people are happy about the new President, but what will people say in a few months when there is no more bailout money left to help anyone.?If we were to have some sort of disaster and all the funds are gone due to the grand celebration?  We're already banking on non-existant cash as it is.

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    Many businesses won't be able to open?  I don't understand.  Sounds like most businesses are prepping for an onslaught of people and are anticipating huge amounts of profits.

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    no alot of business can't open because their street is closed even to pedestrians. Many small businesses will be forced to close simply because the road closures won't allow their employees to drive in and metro is going to be a disaster too.

    The places that are able to open will do great, but others will lose several days business.

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    within the DC and DMV areas, inauguration is officially a federal holiday.

    That said, the small business that can't open should be opening, because, let's face it, it's like shooting fish in a barrel to make money off of optimistic tourists.

    • B M.
    • Arlington, VA
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    Please give a list of businesses that can't open. I'd wager that the majority of their employees can Metro in and get to their job, even if they normally drive. As Rich said, they *should* be open because they'll make a ton of money just by virtue of being there.

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    You tell all these people who rightfully think this is a watershed event that has tremendous meaning to them not to come and share in the moment.  I dare you.

  1. Yeah I would agree with Tina...giving the historic nature of the event not just for the US but for the world (i.e.-the most powerful man in the world is a black man), I think going all out is definitely in order too.

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    I think they're not doing enough of a celebration.  The parade on Jan. 20 happens every 4 years, whether the president was duly elected or not.  But this time is really special and everyone wants to be there.  The Jan. 18 concert is privately funded and I wish it were a 3- or 4-day event instead of an hour and a half.  I don't know if you remember the first Clinton inaugural in 1993, but it was a major festival on the Mall with several days of concerts in heated music tents on the Mall and a blowout final concert at the Lincoln Memorial with fireworks the day before the Inauguration.  It was great.  I was really hoping for something like that this time.  Anyway most economists agree that the best way to deal with an economic slump is for the government to spend money, and they're doing that.  This should really help the local economy.

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    That said, I do see a point here.  My company is closing that day because logistically it will be extremely difficult for everyone to get in to work that day.  Since we're a consultancy firm, there's no money to be made from the tourists.  That said, I'm pretty sure we'll survive.  They're just redesignating one of our floating holidays for this day.  Not a big deal & frankly, I'm glad.

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    I've heard some restaurants are requiring their employees to spend the night so that there are no complications with transportation.

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    Did you ever stop the think that the Inaugural will definitely help boost the local economy.  Think of all the hotels, restaurants, catering businesses, venues, etc that will be benefiting from this.  Canceling all the inaugural events would only aid in further weakening of the economy.  Cutting our consumer spending off will never do anything to help the our economy.  And also, this is a historic inauguration.  We can celebrate a little.

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    Sassy, I do agree with Tina that January 20th will write a new day in our nation's history.  However, I agree with you in that we are spending too much on this inauguration.  The money required for the additional overtime and operational costs of the "fixins" (such as a train ride) is not publicized - I'm wondering what they truly are working to spend here.  If I remember right from yesterday's news, we're now expecting up to 6M people to descend upon DC for January 20th.  Definitely more than this city's infrastructure is designed to handle.

    There are ways to celebrate in style and make sure the man is recognized (after all, when you're in a club of less than 50 individuals in the history of our nation, you deserve it) but at the same time, prudence is the key to control perception.  Perception is already raising eyebrows with the questionable news/dealings/scandals that are starting to surface with a Democratic majority a la James Carville's warning a week ago (if you're the majority, your chance of scandal goes up).  I'm wondering what sort of potential voter backlash could brew from this (not saying that it has yet) like it did for Bill Clinton in his first two years that cost his party seats in the 1994 election.  Each President in recent history (Reagan, Bush I, Clinton, and Bush II) all experienced it and the chance that Obama will face the same is very likely given the problem sets he has on his plate, the time limit of four years (for now) to accomplish perceivable results, and the incredibly short and impatient memory of the American public.

    But I digress.

    Ultimately, I think the Obama-palooza that is starting in DC as I write this will inoculate the public from the reality of what's going on in the short term.  I'm just wondering what will happen when Obama's enemies in Washington get their hands on the cost figures and other potential bad news and begin their attacks.  Sugar highs result in big crashes and I think the American public should brace for what could be the end of a honeymoon coming shortly - but my biggest hope is that it doesn't allow the tremendous partisanship that has taken place over the last 14 years to continue.  But I'm enough of a realist to realize that some Republicans in Washington are still smarting over their wounds and will use anything they can get their hands on to continue their tantrum rather than refocusing on what they need to do to win back public confidence.

  2. Sassy G. sounds like a Hillary supporter ;)

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    Sassy G. says:

    it just seems arrogant to spend billions, including emergency money from FEMA to put this thing on. I appreciate that people are happy about the new President, but what will people say in a few months when there is no more bailout money left to help anyone.?If we were to have some sort of disaster and all the funds are gone due to the grand celebration?
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    Sassy,  a few things to consider here:

    1) the government has plenty of money, they will not run out of money even if they threw a 24-hour party for every person in America, every day of the year for 10 years

    1b) since the government has so much money, no natural disaster of any kind, sort of a asteroid impact, will drain the government of its ability to pay for emergency services

    2) the money that paid for the bailout is not appropriated in the same way as federal funds to pay for inauguration.  In other words, it doesn't come from the same pot.

    3) Virginia and Maryland are not "broke", it's just that they have budgetary deficits... very different from not having any money at all

    Your points do have some relevance -- for instance, up until recently, the District gov't was footing the bill for a lot of Inauguration services, which isn't fair since Inauguration is a federal event.  But nobody is going to be put in the poor house because of it.  Enjoy the weekend ! :)

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    whatever.  All this extra works means more jobs, right?  Temp labor at least.  So jobs are being created, at least in the DC area for around a week.  Frankly, the man is delivering on his promise before he even takes office, and that's pretty damn impressive, yeh?

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    Nadine.....you are way off the mark.

    I DID NOT say we shouldn't celebrate or cancel anything, but yes I do think we should limit the costs.  I didn't say no one should come either.  The question was whether or not the expense is justifiable. Thanks Jake for your input.

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    sassy, your basic assumption here is off the mark.  It's not like we are paying china for security and whatnot - all of this expense is going into the American economy.  How is that NOT a good thing?  American citizens are working security details, being hired as temp workers in stores, etc.  Their money goes to the local stores that supply their groceries, to the local apartments that house them.  The money continues to move within the continental united states, and particularly in D.C. which could use some national help that it routinely is passed over for.

    When money is given to the banks, more often than not they are lending it overseas.  That is money, bailout money ,which is really bailing out foreign investors more often than not.  So frankly I can't really see the downside to spending this federal money on the celebration.

    Further, it's not like the Fed runs out of money.  They can, quite literally, just print more.

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    If you think the Government is spending too much for security, I don't know if you will be too happy with the Billions/Trillion Obama wants to spend to stimulate the economy w/ infrastructure jobs.  I hope his plan works, but that $$ is way more than what is being spent here.  

    Also, I'm sure there are many who want to disrupt this event...terrorists from elsewhere and maybe from the south, haha.  I'm sure there are some white suprimisist who would love to kill Obama.  I'm glad I can feel a little safer being there w/ the extra security.

    Good points Rich!

  3. Rich L. says: "Further, it's not like the Fed runs out of money.  They can, quite literally, just print more."
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    I thought that's what they did during the Great Depression.

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    yeah, but that depression was GREAT, right?  This depression will be even more fun.  Think of all the friends you will make in your roving gang of mad max-esque marauders!  Plus, you've always wanted to learn how to drive a four wheeler and wear football armor while swinging a hatchet, yeah?  Fate is swinging your way, my friend.

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    Read this:
    smdailyjournal.com/artic…

    When Bush spent $45 million on his second inauguration, the AP bashed him for it.

    Obama is spending more than Bush did.

    I'm waiting for the AP to bash him for it.

    ... I might be waiting a long time.

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    don't hate the playa, hate the game, brah.

    • B M.
    • Arlington, VA
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    Obama is drawing more people. Wouldn't it make sense to spend more?

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    The vast majority of the money that will pay for the inauguration is coming from donations, not public funding. So I guess you are all too right when you ask if "we" aren't spending too much...

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    Yeah...seems like we should be more conservative with the spending, but I think the investment may pay off...

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    Didn't a lot of food cart vendors get displaced away from the main foot traffic?

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    The food carts have been replaced with Obama memorabilia vendors.  There are hundreds of entrepreneurs all over the Mall selling hats, T-shirts, calendars.  Judging by the amount of gear our group bought, business is good.

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    I saw plenty of the same food cart vendors around the mall on Sunday.. none seem displaced.

    My dad and I had this same argument last night.  He thinks Obama's spending too much.   I disagree - in times like this the public needs something to believe in - masses need hope, unity, etc etc... and the festivities are doing it.

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    Yeah, but as others have pointed out the money is going into the economy. Helping out DC.

    Just a side-note: yes the fed can print more money, but if they print a boatload of money then you get inflation. Just look at Zimbabwe. I think one US dollar is worth a few quadrillion Zimbabwe dollars. They've got 100 trillion dollar bills for cryin' out loud, lol.

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    The media keeps bad mouthing the bad economy. People know the economy is bad. They don' t need daily reminders. The inauguration is an event that is a celebration of America and the American Electoral System. It only comes every four years. I say serve drinks, food, decorate with flowers/linens and beautify the city of DC.

    Lets have a celebration and have a good time.

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    Kat,

    Yes, let's have a good time.

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    Kat "Kat" R. says:

    The media keeps bad mouthing the bad economy. People know the economy is bad. They don' t need daily reminders.
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    When the choice seems to be between discussing the economy and showing photos of Paris Hilton's heel getting stuck in the crack of a sidewalk, I'll take the economy ....

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    While I think perhaps the cost of all the events is way out of my imagination, I say spend as much as you can. As for government funds being used, so what. What better way to stimulate the economy than by spending on security, ensuring safety. What better way to help everyone than by sale of Obama souvenirs (whether official or not). I am from NY and we would not think of cancelling anything like that. When 9/11 happened, while there was call to suspend the rest of the baseball season by some, no true New Yorker would even think of doing anything but carry on. We as Americans have had inaugurations during times of war and times of peace, during times of prosperity and times of desperation. But we must carry on to show the true spirit of America- resilience.

    • B M.
    • Arlington, VA
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    Jonathan "Bear Grylls" H. says:

    True, but I think there are more pressing matters like the status of our Afghan campaign, developments in China and maybe more insight into the global economy. After writing that sentence, I guess what I'm saying is U.S. media reports too selfishly and needs to provide a more global view of the news, like other countries do.

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    It's too bad there's no integrated network that would let people desiring this information to get it. I think I will invent this. I will call it "the information superhighway."

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    Scott M. says:

    True, but I think there are more pressing matters like the status of our Afghan campaign, developments in China and maybe more insight into the global economy. After writing that sentence, I guess what I'm saying is U.S. media reports too selfishly and needs to provide a more global view of the news, like other countries do.
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    Well, when the U.S. media covers the U.S. economy, it's covering the global economy, since the global economy hinges on U.S. economy.  I'm not trying to be ethnocentric, I'm just telling it like it is.  I can't really speak for the other events though.

    That said, I did happen to notice that recent news coverage in the U.S. has been particularly celebrity-centered, but it's honestly no different from European news covering the latest developments of David Beckham and other football stars.

    I stream a

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    Oops, I dunno where that last 1/2 clause came from.  I don't stream much aside from Internet radio ;-P

  4. I'm just glad I got free chicken ceasar wraps after Obama's motorcade passed by. This one vender (Sweet Green) apparently made way too much food and was just giving it away at the end. ha ha ha...I grabbed a few.

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