Posted on 01/13/2005 7:20:49 PM PST by alessandrofiaschi
WASHINGTON - President Bush's second inauguration will cost tens of millions of dollars — $40 million alone in private donations for the balls, parade and other invitation-only parties. With that kind of money, what could you buy?
_200 armored Humvees with the best armor for troops in Iraq.
_Vaccinations and preventive health care for 22 million children in regions devastated by the tsunami.
_A down payment on the nation's deficit, which hit a record-breaking $412 billion last year.
_Two years' salary for the Mets' new center fielder Carlos Beltran, or all of pitcher Randy Johnson's contract extension with the New York Yankees.
Weeks ago, the inauguration and its accompanying costs were considered a given, an historic ceremony with all the pomp, pageantry and celebrations that the nation had come to expect every four years.
But a recent confluence of events — the tsunami natural disaster, Bush's warning about Social Security finances and the $5 billion-a-month price tag for the war in Iraq — have many Americans now wondering why spend the money the second time around.
While the Presidential Inaugural Committee hopes to raise $40 million in private donations for the balls, parades and candlelight dinners for high-roller donors, millions of government dollars will be spent on construction of the platform and stands at the Capitol, police overtime, military personnel and the tightest security for the first post-Sept. 11 inaugural.
The questions have come from Bush supporters and opponents: Do we need to spend this money on what seems so extravagant?
New York Rep. Anthony Weiner, a Democrat, suggested inaugural parties should be scaled back, citing as a precedent Roosevelt's inauguration during World War II.
"President Roosevelt held his 1945 inaugural at the White House, making a short speech and serving guests cold chicken salad and plain pound cake," according to a letter from Weiner and Rep. Jim McDermott, voting record), D-Wash. "During World War I, President Wilson did not have any parties at his 1917 inaugural, saying that such festivities would be undignified."
Lawmakers representing the Washington area have complained to the White House about the District of Columbia not getting enough federal help to cover the estimated $17.3 million security costs of the inaugural.
Organizers of the inaugural defended the celebration.
"The inauguration of a United States president is one of America's greatest traditions, a tradition that transcends partisan politics," said Tracey Schmitt, a spokeswoman for the Presidential Inaugural Committee. "Our theme is celebrating freedom and honoring service."
She cited the Commander in Chief inaugural ball that offers free tickets to service members back from Afghanistan and Iraq and their family members. That ball is one of nine; the other eight require a ticket.
"Every inaugural there's a really good reason given why you should spend whatever donors are sending in on something else," said Rich Galen, a veteran Republican activist, saying many of the complaints come from the losers of the election.
Billionaire Mark Cuban, owner of the National Basketball Association's Dallas Mavericks, voted for Bush — twice. Cuban knows a thing or two about big spending, once starring in ABC's reality TV show, "The Benefactor," in which 16 contenders tried to pass his test for success and win $1 million.
Cuban questioned spending all that money on the inaugural.
"As a country, we face huge deficits. We face a declining economy. We have service people dying. We face responsibilities to help those suffering from the ... devastation of the tsunamis," he wrote on his blog, a Web journal.
Cuban challenged Bush to set an example: "Start by canceling your inauguration parties and festivities."
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EDITOR'S NOTE: Will Lester covers polling and politics for The Associated Press.
Thank you for your reply. It sounds like we are both very proud of our president and want to celebrate this victory with all the dignity and joy George and Laura,our military and country deserve.
We're on the same page for that. :o) Have a good day.
You have FReepmail.
You're correct..if Kerry had won..and if you listened to anything he stood for..We would NOT be having this conversation..because he would NOT spend 40 million dollars for 'one day' of celebration while his country was dying and fighting a war, while nations mourn the deaths of 160,000 people who just lost their lives in a catastrophe..only an IDIOT would be so smug and arrogant to carry on the way "W" does!
FUNNY YOU SHOULD HAVE THE LITTLE COMMENT..'CAN'T SEEM TO GET ENOUGH FOR CRIMINALS' LOL
Your President is the biggest criminal out there..and is rubbing everyone's face in it! This is his SECOND innauguration (both he cheated to get in..but that's not the point here) he does not have to spend as if there is a 'surplus' like when Clinton had his 2nd..IF there wasn't a war right now (that didn't have to be..but we won't discuss that now either) and if around the world there wasn't a crisis with over 160,000 people DEAD..then we wouldn't be saying a peep..but flippin wake up and show some R.E.S.P.E.C.T!
That is because there wasn't a war going on with young soldiers loosing their lives..over 100,000 people killed in Iraq...all because of WMD??? wake up and smell the coffee..Clinton didn't spend 40 million on his 'parties'..and don't forget there was a thing called 'SURPLUS' remember that word? You never had it so well..when us 'lefties' were running the joint!
Ummm .. how much did Clinton spend on his Library
Wasn't it like $200 MILLION ???
SNIFF: What's that smell? I smell a stinkin' RAT. Begone. Of course if you want to debate let's go. Ready? Me first.
Anybody tell you that you are wasting space in this site? I think I just saw a tree outside that you can go hug. Oh, I was wrong. It was John Kerry and he does look like he could use a hug.
Pray for W and Our Troops
So long, you and your pals ain't runnin' dis joint.
Jealousy is very unbecoming.
"Clinton didn't spend 40 million on his 'parties'..and don't forget there was a thing called 'SURPLUS' remember that word? You never had it so well..when us 'lefties' were running the joint!"
http://www.freep.com/news/inaug/qfunds19.htm
Who pays for what during inaugural week?
January 19, 1997
Associated Press
The money that government agencies and the Presidential Inaugural Committee is spending to stage the 53rd Presidential Inaugural from Jan 18-20:
$30 million by the Presidential Inaugural Committee, a private organization that coordinates all inaugural activities and stages the inaugural balls, the Presidential gala and entertainment on the national Mall.
The group is financed by a $9 million surplus from the 1993 Clinton inauguration and plans to raise the rest through sales of tickets to the 14 official inaugural balls and the gala. The committee also gets money from the sale of souvenirs and TV rights to the gala, which is being broadcast on CBS.
The federal government is spending $11.7 million through the Defense Department, the National Parks Service, the General Services Administration and the government of the District of Columbia.
The Joint Congressional Committee on Inauguration Ceremonies is spending $950,000 for construction of the inaugural platform where Clinton will take the oath of office and related expenses, including the inaugural luncheon in the Capitol.
Let's see... $30,000,000 plus 11,700,000 plus 950,000 ...
Yup! You're right! Clinton didn't spend $40,000,000 on his inauguration. He spent $42,650,000!
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