[Libertarian_4_eva]

I am glad the powerful got to enjoy them without letting the little people that paid the bill even get a chance of catching the whole thing.

[ladyinred]

Oh please! Can't you do better than this? LOL!
A state dinner honoring a visiting Foreign leader costs money, always has, always will, and this probably didn't cost nearly as much as some have, as if it matters! Sheesh!

[A CA Guy]

They didn't turn anyone away, they just didn't advertise it to avoid the cost of crowd control. After all Washington DC is the murder capitol of our country as well as the governing one.

[LenS]

In DC on a Wednesday night, the little people are the crack users and other junkies, hookers, various other refugees from the criminal justice system, diplomats, interns (those not banging Democratic congressmen and Hillary), and other government hacks. No need to tell them anything since they don't pay taxes, they just suck down tax dollars.

[libertarian_usa]

The cost of the display is said to be $175,000 to $250,000.

Small govt? Cutting taxes? HA! Shame on Republicans and "conservatives" alike. Shame on Liberals, too - INDEED, SHAME ON ALL HYPOCRITES.

[TexRef]

I have to agree with the sentiments that this is a huge waste of taxpayer money... Then again, most of what DC does is!

If it were x42 hosting this dinner and having a "private" fireworks show, the Republicans -- and Freepers -- would be all over him for it.

Instead of wasting MY TAX DOLLARS on fireworks, how about a REAL tax cut!!!

Bush voter who is increasingly disappointed, regardless of how many times people mention the alternative to his being in office.

[537 Votes]

I've had a number of dinner parties at my home. I've found that desert is cheaper than fireworks, and usually does a better job of satisfying the guests.

[E=MC²]

I am glad the powerful got to enjoy them without letting the little people that paid the bill even get a chance of catching the whole thing.
What did they do...put a curtain up around the mall so the little people couldn't see the fireworks??? Sheesh.

[GOPyouth]

I suppose some of these people here feel that they deserved to be at the dinner too? Do you guys feel obligated to ride on Air Force One as well? That cost is nothing compared to what it would have cost to set up security for the mass crowds that might have showed up.
The President has taste, along with his wife. I guess if they would have welcomed President Fox wearing flip-flops and cutoffs, served mayonnaise sandwiches and Kool-Aid, would some people here on FR be happy.

[RichInOC]

Oh, dear me...$250,000? Really? How perfectly horrible. It boggles my mind that our government could or would have ever wasted such an astronomical sum as a quarter million dollars. It makes me feel good to think they've never wasted any more than that...doesn't it you all?

[Anochka]

I am so fed up with strutting presidents and their monarchial pretensions. Fie on Bush, whose most telling quote to date is: "Who cares what you think?"

Sorry, but Bush is turning out to be exactly what I long believed he was: a favored feckless child. God Poppy must be near delerious from the joy of getting his little poppinjay in the White House, as if his own administration - which threw away the heritage of the "Reagan Revolution" wasn't enough. But then, Poppy as Veep, was David Rockefeller's "compromise" with Reagan all those years ago. Sad.

[Darth Sidious]

Bush is becoming revealed to be all the more an elitist snob just like Clinton... albeit with better manners.

[NoControllingLegalAuthority]

Bush supporters, like myself, have a right to publicly complain about a waste of money. This was a state dinner and musical entertainment was certainly appropriate.

If the American taxpayer is intentionally not invited to watch an expensive fireworks display, for which he/she PAID, in the skies over America's capitol city, it is an insult to the little guy and NOT in the best spirit of America. It has the stench of European monarchies sequestered in the Palace of Versailles.

Further, my joy in Bush's winning the presidency is not to be taken for granted nor a license for more of the government waste practiced by Clinton or anyone else. We want Bush's NEW TONE in Washington. Part of that NEW TONE is greater respect for the hard-earned money of taxpayers.

[Republic]

Pretty low of Drudge. SO what??? The clintons used to invite 400 to 700 guests, regularly to their state dinners and what do ya suppose their dinners cost us taxpayers? Not to mention the costs of bringing in ROCK STARS and setting up huge tents and giving out costly party favors. The clintons NEVER EVER reported the costs of their state dinners-I would LOVE to know what even ONE OF THEM COST--the CHEAPEST would suffice. But I bet it makes $250,00 gran for fireworks seem paltry.