If President-elect Obama wants to make an eye opening statement about just how bad our financial situation is let him cancel all the fancy inaugural partying and spend the money getting Americans back to work building the green economy he says he wants. This way, he would hit the ground running on day-one in office and show millions of Americans who have lost their homes, their jobs and their life savings that he feels their pain.
Better yet, let’s tell everyone not to spend their party money on lavish gowns, limos and caviar. Let’s have the President ask potential partygoers to choose a green project and spend the money there. For your part, Mr. Obama, a good place to start would be putting solar panels, ripped out by Ronald Reagan, back on the roof of the White House. That would send a real message. While you’re at it, take that inaugural ride down Pennsylvania Avenue in a hybrid.
We know everyone wants to party. We’re happy about change, too. But ditch the fancy jewelry, gas guzzling limos and the imported water in those square bottles. Because those of us on the outside, with no pension money and wondering where we are going to retire, are not celebrating.
Mr. President-elect, we are thrilled for real change. But two months from now, partying may be the last thing on our minds. Start the ball rolling on Jan. 20th, and not wait until after the ball is over.
After what we’ve been through, we munchkins deserve one day to party.
We need to celebrate the first African-American president. Maybe not lavishly but it is a historical occasion worth celebrating. And I think we need celebratory moments to help the morale of the country which is gloomy to say the least.
And I’d prefer to give my tax dollars towards an inaugural party than for bombs & bullets in Iraq. What about that money sink? It’s like people have forgotten about that billion dollar money drain. We spent money destroying the infrastructure of a country and now are paying to rebuild. And what did it accomplish? Death.
Surely a once in a lifetime party is a harmless event in comparison.
Good job Ira, I came to this conclusion a few weeks ago and I’m hoping your post reaches someone in Washington that can make a difference!
Great idea! I’ll tweet it around
Well thats good idea.I would like Obama to convert the white house lawns into a Kitchen Garden. be Local grow vegetables for the white house and the excess can go to the DC schools and serve healthy meals. He can set the example, let people convert their lawns into kitchen gardens and grow food for use and share the rest with soup kitchens. But all that is to no avail we are not going to change from a Consumption Economy to a Conservation Economy. We have to reach the bottom of the pit and then maybe we shall change.
Excellent thoughts – I couldn’t agree more! Thank you for writing this. (Reagan really had the solar panels removed??)
Brilliant!
Here here!!! While I agree a new president is cause for celebration (this year more than most), this is a great idea.
This is ridiculous. We need people to continue spending. We need people to spend as much as possible. We will not get out of this recession by saving, we will get out of it by spending.
Yes we should be green. But we also need to spend as much as possible. We need to spend on non-perishables. But we definitely need to spend.
Brillant!
As much as Id like to see this, I dont think any President would have the guts to face up to the “we have to have a coronation” crowd and actually do what you suggest – regardless of party.
Sometimes these things have to start at the grass roots. Other times, they need a bold, brave leader.
Time will tell.