It's a welcome coincidence that the start-up of my blog is the beginning of a new administration. I think I am going to enjoy using my soapbox. What best theme to begin with than with the inauguration?
This inauguration is a lavish, spare-no-expense inauguration. The estimated cost is $170 million. I have not heard the media object to this price tag, even though eight years ago the $45 million cost of President Bush's inauguration raised cries of shock. Previously, Bill Clinton's had an est. price tag of $25 - $30 million. So, we are talking here of a 277% increase over the most expensive inauguration, at a time when billions of dollars are being spent on bailouts by the fed. Well, what's $150 million compared to billions?
I have read that Obama's speech will center around responsibility. He is going to preach about government responsibility, Wall Street accountability and individual sacrifice. Now, that sounds really nice. But how about "teaching by example"? If we are asked to sacrifice (what this means has not been explained yet) how about the government sacrificing too? How about the government being accountable and facing up to the facts?
We all know that it was the Barney Frank's, Chris Dodd's and Chuck Schumer's who, by forcing banks to approve mortgaqes with extremely low down payments to first time buyers with questionable incomes and financing capabilities, caused this financial crisis. However they, together with the liberal media, are trying to pin the blame on President Bush who, since 2001 tried to get Congress to reverse their policy with a reform of the financial institutions. We also know that those efforts were blocked by Frank and Dodd. Now instead, their "fix" will burden the taxpayer with a bailout bill of $700 billion plus a "stimulus" (earmarks?) package of possibly over $1 trillion. Will we see transparency? Will we see responsibility, accountability and sacrifice in the spending of these funds? Well, this inauguration may be a preview of things to come?
2 comments:
I totally agree with you.
I totally agree with you. I was shocked to find out how much was spent for the inauguration and not once did anyone question the cost of it. Instead all you heard was how wonderful the inauguration was. I would think in such tough economic times that Obama would set an example for the American people through his own example. Instead we saw what Washington is known for--do as I say not as I do. Our educational system is being cut to the bare bones and our younger generation and future leaders will suffer as a result of it. Just think of all the educational jobs and teachers' jobs that could have been saved with the excessive inauguration expenditures.
I am also appalled by the amount of money that is spent for campaigning by both parties. I think each party should be given a reasonable, predetermined amount to campaign, and not a penny more. How many people who were experiencing real financial hardship could have been helped with that money?
Post a Comment