The US. Government will reportedly spend over $300 million on the second inauguration of Barack Obama.
President Obama’s first inauguration cost the government $200 million, but The White House wants to set the record yet again. “President Obama is the greatest President in the history of the country, and we need to spend as much as we can to celebrate that fact,” said a White House insider. “We wanted to spend a billion dollars, but we know that a lot of people are suffering in the country, so we restrained ourselves a little bit.”
The actual swearing-in ceremony will cost $2.24 million, according to Yolanda Forstman, spokeswoman for the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies.
It’s the security, parties and countless Port-a-Potty rentals that really run up the bill.
The federal government estimates that it will spend roughly $149 million on the inaugural weekend. Washington, D.C., Virginia and Maryland have requested another $51 million from the federal government to help pay for their share of police, fire and medical services.
And then there is the party bill.
“We have a budget of roughly $100 million, maybe a little bit more,” said a spokeswoman for the inaugural committee.
In comparison, George W. Bush’s first inauguration cost $42.3 million and his second came in at just under $30 million. Bill Clinton’s first inaugural was $33 million and his second inauguration was $31 million.
“Those Presidents didn’t know how to party. We do!” said a White House press secretary.
In addition, the White House is selling tickets to the inauguration. You can no longer just go for free. Tickets are being sold for $40 each (face value), but on StubHub they are going for over $200 already. “Hey, we want to make some money to help pay for Jay-Z and Bruce,” said the inaugural chairman.
“The money is going toward providing events which we hope are going to connect people, make them feel like we are all in this together and reinforce the notion that when we pull together, we’re stronger,” the spokesman siad “And we need to pull together to face the challenges that are before us today.”
Among the expenses: a Bruce Springsteen concert, a One Direction concert (for Sasha and Malia), the parade, large-screen TV rentals for all-free viewing on the national Mall, $700,000 to the Smithsonian Institution to stay open and, of course, the balls, including three that are being pitched as free or low cost for the public. Jay-Z and U2 will be playing and both will be paid over $2 million for their services. Bruce is playing for free.
A day of SHAME he's bold, fresh, and ready to insure America is BANKRUPT! Many of US will be in mourning for this once Great Constitutional Republic this January 21, 2013!
Why does the government spends that big amount of money just for the inauguration? Can't we make it a simple one with less budget?
I SAY WE SPEND THE BILLION$$$$$$$$$ AMERICA NEEDS THE JOBS!!!!!!
This was a great adventure, thank you for sharing it with us!
all i need is 1000,000 to be on easystreet i wish someone whould help my family
Yesterday, Once again, I saw an entire family parked on the side of the road with no jobs, no money, no food, no where to sleep and asking for help. It is an absolute disgrace for President Obama and the Washington DC
Politicians to spend the hard working american people's hard earned money to have "their Party" when millions
of american's are suffering!! Have they no shame!!
That is a really shame that it is costing that much. That money could go into things that need it, like jobs!
You should check out this site, dj hire.
I think if the money wasn't looted from us in the first place we would have more jobs.
300 MILLION IS THE ESTIMATED COST OF THE WHITE HOUSE. AMAZING.
Yes the country is BANKRUPT–The goverment is corrupted –they would rather spend money on inauguration to impress alot of people –makes US look big' The money should be used for the people that is in need.
Seriously Mr. President……is all this necessary? Americans are out of work or having their hours at work cut and you and your family are spending millions to party? Honestly…how do you sleep at night? You were elected to serve us the American citizens….looks like we are your slaves….Party On….Enjoy…
Oh my god. That makes me absolutely sick. Also, I hear there is a new bill, passed days ago that allows corporate money to be donated to this event. Now, I wonder what kind on corruption that will lead to. Is there no end to the lies. WHERE ARE THE JOBS HE PROMISED! I think it would be great to throw it on the debt even. Maybe raise your hand, take a picture and do the right thing and stop spending.
When W took over the Treasury Secretary and Fed Chairman both thought a total collapse of the US (far worse than a depression) was quite likely. Commercial paper, the backbone of our economy, was frozen shut, GM was within hours of liquidation and millions of jobs lost forever. We had just blown $1.5 trillion on a stupid war in Iraq for no reason of any kind. Obama took over a country on the verge of failure and saved it.
Did he? I'm still waiting for evidence.
The Inauguration cost every American family a dollar to two. The Iraq war cost every American family $15,000.
Do we really need a President to run the country, seems like we could do much better without this job position, and save the tax payer tons of money.
Mr Kenya,
The report above: "Obama’s first inauguration cost the government $200 million"
THE GOVERNMENT MY A S S! It Cost The TAXPAYERS ! ! ! !
I am amazed, i didn't thought possible to see this much nonsense. I can't believe my eyes when i read bot the article and the comment how can you people beleive such shit? ere is no source, no quote that can be traced and especiall i laughed at the port a potty, it is their fault it cost so much
Wake up people, back in the 60's we use to protest on Washington's door step. We got off our butts and our voices were heard. Someone needs to organize a 1 day event with 300,000 million people to march on Washington (The Party White House) and shout for 24 hours "NO MORE FOOLISH SPENDING, START CREATING JOBS. WE ARE HURTING OUT HERE". The spending will not stop until the people take action. Power is in numbers. Take that 300,000 million and put it back into the government programs that all of you politians have raped over the last century. Obama will bankrupt the USA before he leaves office for good.
Agreed, Thelma. Obama should be making the government use all this money we are spending and give it to the poor. Obama should stop spending trillions of dollars and lying that he's giving it to "we, the people." I nor my family have not seen a single cent from him! I certainly hope people won't be stupid next time they vote, and actually look at what the candidate has to offer, not just his skin, or because he'll be "nicer" to illegal immigrants. I hope we will be much better next time. Romney would have been a lot better, OBAMA!
Sincerely,
The Angry TEEN!
This country is in the crapper (fiscal cliffs, etc) and this is where our money is going to? Really, is this really necessary? People are losing their homes, living in their cars and going hungry and the people's money is going to a lavish party in which a bunch of rich people are eating like royalty at our expense? Not to mention the luxurious vacations that the President and his family have taken to Hawaii and all over the world also at our expense. Heck, I would love to take my family to Hawaii too but I would have to pay for it myself. This really sickens my stomache.
Yeah, the groin shot is coming up soon in the series. It's a whopper of a sleep position candidate. Man or woman. As Folger's coffee put it in their jingle, "The best part of waking up… is not a foot in your nuts." Or something like that.