Some people went ballistic when $40 million was spent on George W. Bushâ??s inauguration in 2001, and now $120 million is
going
toward Barack Obamaâ??s inauguration festivities today â?? much of it donated, of course.
Few people would argue against celebrating the nationâ??s first black president. Still, is Obama sending the right message at a time when the country faces so many serious problems?
Earlier this month, Gov. Mitch Daniels downsized his inauguration in recognition the state is suffering from the recession and has serious work to accomplish.
And in 2004 Ball State University President Jo Ann Gora turned down her $150,000 inauguration and put the money toward scholarships for 25 high school students.
Should Obama have taken cues from these Hoosiers?
Few people would argue against celebrating the nationâ??s first black president. Still, is Obama sending the right message at a time when the country faces so many serious problems?
Earlier this month, Gov. Mitch Daniels downsized his inauguration in recognition the state is suffering from the recession and has serious work to accomplish.
And in 2004 Ball State University President Jo Ann Gora turned down her $150,000 inauguration and put the money toward scholarships for 25 high school students.
Should Obama have taken cues from these Hoosiers?
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Don't get me wrong, I support Obama for what he is worth, but we, as the US Tax Payers, shall not forcibly pay for a few days of entertainment of a few when our economy is in dire need of repair. If you want to throw your money any which direction, it should be upto you (with legal reason). I just hope that the $120 mill is of donations and out of pocket of those who attend.
On a different note, Jo Ann Gora did what she felt was right. It is a great idea, but we should not deny someone a party because the economy is in terrible shape (unless the money is tax money). Once there is a pool of donated money, who is it to say where it goes? If there is no legal binding contract, it is upto the one with the checkbook to the bank account of the donated money.
Let me ask you this: What is the source of your $120m figure, and why would you make this into something when there really is no meat to the story?
Thanks.
and the fact that berwickguy is against it, makes me FOR it. :lol: -
:lo:
its ok, its just the IBJ..... ;)