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NObama, Keep the change!

Posted: Mon Jan 19, 2009 1:02 pm
by BD94Euph
So, with all these celebrities performing for Obama, he must be good huh? What the heck with all the spending? Like 4 times more than any innauguration in history? The freaking base of the Lincoln monument is turned into a stage with props, instruments, American flags moving on and off like it's some kind of circus act. Didn't we get all upset over the automotive execs flying in on private jets? Like, why should we give you more money if you're just gonna waste it on private jets?

The same is true here. What could Obama have done with $145Million? Unbelievable. Chage we can beliebe in. As long as we get Kanye, Beyonce, Stevie Wonder....go ahead and spend it all??? Why? He's already President. What's the excess? In a time when jobs are being lost in every state, banks are closing, plants closing, we have a new President "of the people" spending an unrprecedented amount in a self-glorifying party. Nope...not the right change so far. sorry.

Re: NObama, Keep the change!

Posted: Mon Jan 19, 2009 1:20 pm
by horns2thebachs
Were you complaining when Bush ran our national debt to nearly $10 trillion? $145 million seems like chump change when compared to how much the wars in both Afghanistan and Iraq are costing us.
From yahoo answers : Obama is actually spending the same amount as Bush did in 2004 (approx $40 million pre-security costs, - Obama's inauguration will be more expensive once security is considered, which will be higher for Obama, given the number of people attending and the crazies out there who are convinced he's a terrorist/socialist/not-American/ Islamic fundamentalist, etc.). Secondly, this inauguration is generating a lot of business for the Washington area (hotels, restaurants, flights, etc.). Bush's $40 million inauguration did not come close to generating this type of revenue. Think of this as a typical return on investment calculation.

Also, not all the money is tax dollars - a lot of it is coming from individual donations.

Again, think of it this way - you have a party for 40 people, and a party for 400 people - what's going to cost more?

Regards.

Re: NObama, Keep the change!

Posted: Mon Jan 19, 2009 1:23 pm
by BD94Euph
yes i did complain about the national debt under Bush. and it's still ludicrous to spend $145 million on a party to become president. why does your answer refer to other people? the typical "nuh-uh" response...

Mom: Johnny, did you throw that rock at your sister?
4-year old: Nuh-uh, she threw one too!

it's ludicrous...period.

Re: NObama, Keep the change!

Posted: Mon Jan 19, 2009 1:34 pm
by horns2thebachs
Nuh-uh answer...? Most of the spending is in order to provide safetyfor the witnesses of the historic event. It's not nearly as "ludicrous" as it seems. Obama is spending the same amount as Bush did, the difference is security. Also, this is a real economic stimulus for the DMV (D.C./ Maryland/ Virginia) area. Why don't I see you criticizing Bush for his inauguration spending? If Bush had as many people who cared about his inauguration as Obama does now, the costs would be the same...

Re: NObama, Keep the change!

Posted: Mon Jan 19, 2009 1:44 pm
by BD94Euph
Bush isn't being inaugurated tomorrow, Obama is. There was $49Million budgeted, except now even surrounding states are asking for "emergency funds" to help with whatever. I think California should jump on this. Since Obama's presidency is so groundbreaking, we should get a few hundred million for music teachers. Am I right? Can I get an AMEN?!

Boom for the economy...well, there are several hundred police officers who will be getting lot's of overtime so I guess that's a good thing. Hotels are selling out like crazy so yes, they are making money. And I suppose if I was a police officer in DC or owned a hotel near the "epicenter of exploding happiness" I'd be tickled pink. However, I am a music teacher at a time where friends are in fear for their jobs and I can think of a HELLUVA lotta ways to spend $145Million.

Ludicrous...my final answer.

Re: NObama, Keep the change!

Posted: Mon Jan 19, 2009 1:48 pm
by thunderdrmz
Is it just me or does any criticism of the new regime be always followed by a "well Bush did this" retort?

Re: NObama, Keep the change!

Posted: Mon Jan 19, 2009 1:57 pm
by BD94Euph
no it's not just you. that's always what happens. but i'm sure anyone who criticized Clinton had to hear something about Bush or Reagan too. I wonder if people who criticize Bush ever have to hear anything like that? WHo would it be about, Clinton? Nope media loved him and hated Bush. Guess not. So Obama criticizers beware...

Re: NObama, Keep the change!

Posted: Mon Jan 19, 2009 2:41 pm
by Chapagne
media loved him and hated Bush.
Can't imagine why. He hardly ever gave press conferences. Only gave interviews to correspondents who weren't going to ask him tough questions. Lied.
Is it just me or does any criticism of the new regime be always followed by a "well Bush did this" retort?
Probably. Both parties are criminal at pretending only their opponents do things wrong.

Re: NObama, Keep the change!

Posted: Mon Jan 19, 2009 2:52 pm
by BD94Euph
Quote:
media loved him and hated Bush.
Can't imagine why. He hardly ever gave press conferences. Only gave interviews to correspondents who weren't going to ask him tough questions. Lied.
One of the few RARE times I actually "laughed out loud". Bush lied, people died huh? Really? Are we still doing that? Most of the country stopped believeing that by now. Except those zeitgeisters or whatever it's called. Sheesh...

I can't wait for tomorrow actually. We will usher in a new, civil era of criticism. One that hasn't been seen in a long time. When people disagree with Obama in the future, take note...is the vile and hatred spewed out like it was for this past President? Or will you notice a more civil tone in the discourse? Will we call him ignorant and incompetent or give him some room for error?

Re: NObama, Keep the change!

Posted: Mon Jan 19, 2009 3:37 pm
by Hostrauser
BD94Euph wrote:What the heck with all the spending? Like 4 times more than any innauguration in history? ... What could Obama have done with $145Million? Unbelievable.
The $145M you quote includes all the money being spent by the federal government for security, providing port-a-potties for the 2M+ in attendance, clean-up after the event, and SALARY for federal workers (inauguration day is a holiday for them). Bush's 2005 inauguration cost the government $115.5M, so by no means is this "four times more than any inauguration in history."

As to your other questions: "What could Obama have done with $145M?"

The answer: nothing at all. Due to strict campaign finance laws, the amount Obama raises for his inauguration cannot be re-allocated to other areas. This is very much a "use-it-or-lose-it" scenario.

And finally, don't hate the player, hate the game. :cool:

Re: NObama, Keep the change!

Posted: Mon Jan 19, 2009 9:28 pm
by tSz42
Well, they need the extra security. Last thing I want are riots in the streets because something bad happened to him.

And we all know what will happen then! The damn news channels take over and my morning cartoons are canceled!

Re: NObama, Keep the change!

Posted: Mon Jan 19, 2009 11:06 pm
by Bandmaster
The whole point is that none of you seem to remember that the media was jumping all over the Bush Inaugural Committee and the Republicans in general for spending too much money on the Inaugural in 2004. The liberals were having a field day with it and were crying to have all the parties cancelled. So now the tables are turned and they don't like it? Gee, what a surprize!
Chapagne wrote:
media loved him and hated Bush.
Can't imagine why. He hardly ever gave press conferences. Only gave interviews to correspondents who weren't going to ask him tough questions. Lied.
Got any proof of this? I'll make a bet with you that Obama will give far fewer one-on-one interviews with the media than Bush did. Any takers?

I wish Obama well as our new President and hope he is successful. I just wish I knew exactly what "change" really means?

Re: NObama, Keep the change!

Posted: Tue Jan 20, 2009 12:04 am
by seanrj
No comment... Business as always in DC...

Though, I do need to say I agree with BD on this one.

Re: NObama, Keep the change!

Posted: Tue Jan 20, 2009 7:06 am
by IsnipeWithAknife
as long as I keep my guns I'll be happy.

Re: NObama, Keep the change!

Posted: Tue Jan 20, 2009 7:08 am
by triple_threat
I don't know why people are always so shocked by the workings of the powers that be. Hasn't history proven to us that we are to "Do as they say, not as they do".

It is encouraging to see all the people that are stopping to take notice of today's event....it's about time the country was excited about something!