Obama's Inauguration - What is the Message?

Beyonce, Mary J Blige, Bono, Garth Brookes, Sheryl Crowe, Renee Fleming, Josh Groban, Herbie Hancock, Heather Headley, John Legend, Jennifer Nettles, John Mellancamp, Bruce Springsteen, Usher, Shakira, James Taylor and Stevie Wonder.

In addition, Jamie Foxx, Martin Luther King III, Queen Latifa and Denzil Washington will be reading historical passages and Reverend V. Gene Robinson will give the invocation.

That is quite a list. Did I just list off the line up for the Grammys? For the Golden Globe Awards? Perhaps the Emmys? No, this is a listing of who will perform at our new President elects Inauguration. This is the listing of the performers at Obama's Inauguration. All of these supposed "celebrities" - bringing in the newest member of the bunch, the newest "celebrity" on the block. Yes, our President is now viewed as a "celebrity" - not a serious "thinker" who will lead this country through good and bad times.

What kind of message is this sending to the country and the world?

"Even though we're very practiced at inaugurations and large events, this is one that will rewrite the book on inaugurations" said (D) Eleanor Norton of DC - who has requested an ADDITIONAL $15 MILLION from Congress to help the city pay the costs of the inauguration. That would DOUBLE the $15 Million Congress has already allocated to pay for the event. She believes that the total costs to the city could run close to $50 Million! Which, by the way, is the same amount that Congress allocated to both Denver and St. Paul to host the Republican and Democratic conventions earlier this year.

I almost have to take a break now and sit back and reread what I just wrote. Is this insane? Do you feel the same outrage and disgust that I do? Have you approved these expenditures? Has anyone asked you about approving these expenditures? Where is the accountability and "transparency" of these outlandish money allocations. No wonder our government is completely broke - they do not know the concept of what a "budget" is. This is very sad for all future generations who will be saddled with this tremendous debt.

Is it necessary to have all those entertainers at a Presidential Inauguration? I guarantee they are not playing for free and that they account for a good part of the inauguration budget - your money. Why is it necessary to have such an expensive extravaganza to inaugurate the President? Does anyone notice that the government has no money? Yet they are going out and splurging on this big party during one of the worst economic down turns in our history. Where is the common sense? Where is the responsibility? This seems like the activities of a teenager who has no value for money - yet millions of Americans seem to want what is happening.

If these people must celebrate and party - at the tax payers expense - then there is apparently nothing We the People - can do about it. All I know is I didn't authorize my tax dollars to be spent this frivolously - did you? I hope they enjoy the party because once the party is over - and I mean with the economy - they are going to realize that the inauguration was irrelevant - what matters is the reality of our economic situation and the current world activities.

America cannot stick its head in the sand and make believe for a night that everything is OK. We need a leader who will say "The inauguration is to be a small gathering in the Oval Office - that will be seen on TV for all. The total cost will be minimal, the process will be quick and we will then begin work on righting America's challenges immediately there after".

This is the message we need to hear from our leader - not - let's have a party, and spend millions of dollars we don't have THEN when the party is over we are going to spend even more money we don't have - TRILLIONS of dollars more that we don't have. Yes, this inauguration sends the wrong message to all tax paying Americans and to the world.

It tells the tax payers that - "we do not value your money, we will print all the money we want and we only care about momentary, short term happiness and fixes". It tells the world that "America frivolously and without care spends their money in the face of an economic storm" Does this send the message of stability that our foreign allies need to feel confident in our economy? What kind of insanity is guiding these monetary decisions? Where is the responsibility and accountability?

People, in the face of such disorder we must band together and make our voices heard - loud and clear. Do you want this irresponsibility to continue in Washington? Do you want to stand in defense of your children's futures? We must stand together in larger numbers and protest how our government is spending our money There must be accountability for these trillions. Please join me today - express your free speech, assemble and petition - we must change the direction our government is heading us down. We need Capitalism not Socialism. Make your voice heard today.