One county alone in California has donated $291,000 to pay for inauguration parties. And yet it still isn't enough and the fundraising continues. I don't want to rain on anybody's parade, but when folks wake up with their hang-overs on January 21st, and see the homeless on the streets still without winter shelter, is the party memory really going to be worth deferring this much cash to non-humanitarian priorities? Even now...
the choice to party has democrats scrambling to collect more.
Saw this article with descriptions of Marin County, California, donors level of giving and comments:
At last count, about $27 million had been raised for the inauguration activities, which are expected to cost $50 million. Kertzman said he doesn't think the spending is unseemly despite the economic crisis gripping the country.
"We are not going there for a party," Kertzman said. "We are primarily going to see the inauguration ceremony, to see the parade and be part of history."
Oscodar said, "It's an important day in U.S. history. I don't think it's just a big party."
Campbell, whose Pohaku Fund supports community organizing and environmentalism, said, "I was told they were trying to raise as much money as possible in order to minimize the amount the thing would cost out of the public purse."
Gilson, however, said the inaugural activities are funded entirely with private funds.
Hoskins said he did think twice about whether the $25,000 he donated to the inauguration was the best use of the money.
"It would be hard for me to defend that it's a really sane decision," Hoskins said. "But we're hoping it will be a really special and memorable experience that we as a family will carry with us for a lifetime. We're just so proud of what happened here in this election."
http://www.marinij.com/...
Would it have been so hard for Obama to have said something like: "Let's have other kinds of parties along the way -- whenever we reach some important goals in getting this country back on track." Such events could be possible via satellite technology and tied to on-going prioritizing. If Obama set a confident tone for the nation with a level-headed approach to making level-headed priorities, I'd feel alot better about the future. But this, his message to party on -- as if it is our reward -- is not reassuring. Our reward for seeking change should be so much more than memories of a big money hemorrhage called The Inauguration Balls funded with public and private funds.
Right now this party mentality is just too immature for me -- too much like the Prom Bash or the Big Wedding We Couldn't Really Afford, too prone to an inevitable letdown, too representative of America's worst problems: over-consumption, consumerism and wastefulness.
If folks have so much to spend, can't they help fund adequate shelters for the exploding numbers of homeless children and families in these cold winter months? Which is more American -- being humane or partying. At a time of economic free fall like this, can we afford to choose just one over the other?