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Home › Politics

Question of the Day | 01/12/2009 11:00 pm

Given the economic climate, should Obama and his administration downscale when planning this unprecedented Inauguration?

© AP
Joan Ganz Cooney

Joan Ganz Cooney | 01/12/2009 11:00 pm

Joan Ganz Cooney Gives Obama the OK to Spend

I don’t know the answer to that question. There are so many people in the country — with many going to Washington — who want to celebrate the historic occasion, that maybe it’s OK to be little excessive.

comments6 Comments
Liz Smith

Liz Smith | 01/12/2009 11:00 pm

Liz Smith on How Obama Should Have Spent the Inaugural Cash

I can’t wait for it to be over. I consider it a delay in forging ahead and I honestly feel it would have been great for Obama to have offered the money it will all cost to some needy charity or group of persons. I know people need to celebrate but not to the tune of millions. The economic climate demands a downscale, I believe.

Click here on this text to read my New York Post column.

comments7 Comments
Judith Martin

Judith Martin | 01/12/2009 11:00 pm

Judith Martin Predicts a 'Tasteful' Inauguration

From the way people are talking now, you would think that it is only in hard times that ostentation is vulgar. The Obamas appear to have taste, so I am assuming that the Inauguration will be a dignified ceremony followed by a jolly national bash, rather than a display of wealth and privilege — and that it would be tasteful even if he were coming to office in prosperous times.

comments2 Comments
Mary Wells

Mary Wells | 01/12/2009 11:00 pm

Mary Wells Hopes the Angry Don't Tune In

They are corny, aren’t they? From an old world. America can’t afford a corny old-world celebration (even though Obama is an idea worth celebrating). What will the First Lady will wear? Is that exciting? Going from one celebration or star-hosted party to another to see who is there — is that a thrill? Think of all the people in the world who don’t know how they will care for their families now who will see all that boring old-fashioned nonsense on television – and will know how expensive it must be. Many are angry already. I hope they don’t watch.

comments9 Comments
Read more about: Barack Obama, Economy, financial crisis, Inaugural, Inauguration, Michelle Obama

136 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment

joan larsen
People, people in all walks of life, are desperate for a feeling of hope . . . and to celebrate - exalt perhaps - that while it may take quite a while, there looks to be the chance of better things to come. They want to gather, they want to believe . . . and. in their hearts, as they look up to our next president they will be praying that for their children, for their grandchildren that again there will be what we used to call “the good life”. Yes, a time of celebration will cost money, but we also know that though some may think that there could be better uses for that money, we know that that “the better use” for the funds expended for the inaugural celebration would truly not be seen to fund some needy causes. It just does not work that way … and we know it. So perhaps the lightness of the moment, the cheers and the feelings of so many that we not only have a day to remember with our first African-American president, but that this man — and hopefully, his team who will guide him will meld together, working for what we all need in these darker times — a new beginning - and soon - the very beginnings of a bright light at then end of a dark tunnel. The world will then know that a whole nation BELIEVES this as still stand strong together — as a symbol to all that we have forged a common bond, working together for a better country, a better world.
By joan larsen on 01/13/2009 12:35 am
Frannie Em
Remember, I am a fiscal conservative, but I believe that due to the historical nature of this event, I say let them have as much fun as possible, because things are going to get very tough after that. I have some friends that were big contributors to the Obama campaign and they have been getting many requests over the past few weeks for more money. (I don’t get that) Anyway, I guess it is for the inaugural balls. Since it is 2009 they can start donating again.
By Frannie Em on 01/13/2009 1:03 am
Amelie Poulain
I was wondering that myself Frannie. The Democratic party seem to be very savvy in the fund raising department. I think they are smart to get every dollar they can while everyone is still drinking the proverbial kool-aid. After the first few disappointments the dollars will slow down. Obama is an eloquent, educated, well spoken man. But he’s just a man. There will be mistakes. There will be disappointments. And I bet he will lose his temper with a few diabolical world leaders. At least they will be building the coffers for the next election. Do the various parties pay for the balls? Or are the balls a ll privately funded and only the actual inauguration government funded? Anyone know?
By Amelie Poulain on 01/13/2009 2:52 pm
Frannie Em
Amelie I don’t know how much the government kicks in. The security and the tremendous arrangements for it are going to cost a bundle. I’m pretty sure that many of the inaugural balls are privately funded. I don’t see how PE Obama can avoid mistakes. They all make mistakes and the public has it’s particular brand of criticism for it. Obama comes in at one of the worst economic times and he is going to be challenged. Right now it is wait and see what happens. I don’t want too much fast politicking to pass his $1 trillion package. That is insane. I want them to go slowly and really consider what the possible unintended consequences of all actions will be. We are on a new journey and we shall see what happens.
By Frannie Em on 01/13/2009 8:47 pm
Amelie Poulain
We are all on this journey together. No matter what nation we come from. We are all so inter-related that everything we do affects each other. Its time to look at things that way. I am concerned as to why Bush wanted the 350 million now, before he leaves. There doesn’t seem to be any answers as to where that $ is going. That worries me that you have been duped AGAIN. I read an interview that the Fed will be audited. Bush asked if the Bank of International Settlements would mind waiting to audit until he is out of office. That is why Paulson won’t stay on. Its potentially very ugly and an awkward start to Obama’s leadership if its all true. What a nightmare! We all need to stick together. Communities are going to be more important than ever. But I digress. The important thing is its going to be the biggest world party ever! This President uplifts so many people around the world through his messages of hope and his books. I hope it works!
By Amelie Poulain on 01/13/2009 9:12 pm
Frannie Em
THe $350billion was resquested by Bush for PE Obama to put to work immediately. My concern is that neither team is leaving much transparency. The Obama team has Change.gov set up so we can see what happens to the money, but I don’t just want to see what happens to it, sorry team, there is more to it than that, I want to know where it is going and before decisions are made have full transparency. Much of their argument to act swiftly, was like Bush’s argument before going into Iraq -serious and have to do it, leave it to us. No thanks, especially when we are not sure of the unintended consequences as a result of their actions. All the Harvard and Yale graduates at the helm do not make me feel secure, we had them at the helm of the government and Wall Street for a long time and look what happened.
By Frannie Em on 01/14/2009 12:00 pm
Amelie Poulain
I think you hit it right Frannie. When you lose trust in these men / women who are the grads at the to of their classes, and people you are supposed to believe, then what is left? This is what has shaken the very core of the entire financial world. Might as well go back to the old pin the tail on the donkey scheme to guess at what to invest in! What to do! Many of us are sitting on our money not sure what the heck to do with it to make it grow.
By Amelie Poulain on 01/14/2009 1:56 pm
Frannie Em
First LOL Right now I am just in wait and see. When we have such little control over those nuts. One thing for sure is that you cannot legislate intelligence.
By Frannie Em on 01/14/2009 11:26 pm
Amelie Poulain
Here, here woman! How true! However I suspect someone out there is going to try to genetically patent it. :) Amen. Over and out.
By Amelie Poulain on 01/14/2009 11:40 pm
Frannie Em
LOL. Oh wow, if we could only do that.
By Frannie Em on 01/15/2009 12:41 am
Amelie Poulain
Actually back when they were cracking the genome in the 90’s there was a report on the noon news that they have discovered that intelligence was passed on through the female DNA (much like baldness and colour blindness are). I got such a great laugh out of that. I know several men who have great power, wealth and depth of intelligence who passed on the smart, sturdy, natural looking woman, and instead marrying 1/2 silicon bimbo high school flunky and diluting the gene pool. It seemed just a bit too just.
By Amelie Poulain on 01/15/2009 12:45 pm
Sharon Red Deer
I was never a “big contributor” though a loyal one. I received two separate email for funds to help defray the cost of the festvities and I contributed basically the same amount that I was able to during the election. I do know that the Obama Transition team is kicking in ; the percentage or what for earmark , I have no idea. I am reminded of an occassion (An organization I belong to hosts receptions for speakers which are usually Caucasion) on this occassion the speaker was a person of color; there was actually talk of “toning down” the usual fare because (and this is a quote) “they are not used to this type of service; shouldn’t we serve their usual food”…I would not want it said that Obama has a second class Inauguration.
By Sharon Red Deer on 01/17/2009 12:50 pm
Diana T
I agree, Joan. This is not the time to be penny wise and dollar foolish. I believe this is a day that should be used to instill positive inspiration in all of us, that we know this old battleship can be turned into the right direction, and we can start hoping again. Besides, it’s a little late to be posing a question like that; think of the anger and disappointment of all the people involved if they started to cancel things now. My sister says that living in N. Virginia, as preparations get closer to the Big Day, that the excitement is palpable and everybody is smiling.
By Diana T on 01/13/2009 10:02 am
joan larsen
Diana — I actually thought the question was not only late - at a week before - when all is arranged and in readiness, but this is not our call anyhow. I almost did not reply — but knowing what I do, there is huge PR value for the world scene to be seen standing by our incoming president in this way. I have not seen this aspect discussed — but it is so obvious. What is there to do but to hope for the best. Negativity at this time is not helpful to individuals or to our country in general.
By joan larsen on 01/13/2009 10:13 am
Diana T
I am so worn out with all of the negativity, Joan. Especially amongst ourselves. This is not the time for gratuitous criticisms. I hope we can attack our multiple problems and crises with the same unified ferocity that we found together during WW2.
By Diana T on 01/13/2009 11:15 am
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