"Should Obama and his supporters spend $24-$50 million for the inauguration at a time when the United States is in in the midst of a Recession and facing the highest unemployment rate in sixteen years with 2.6 million having lost their jobs? Who are the donors so gladly paying as much as $50,000 to participate and hosting galas for Congressional members as well?"

http://us-president.suite101.com/article.cfm/obama_and_the_24_million_inaugural



"Obama and Congressional Donor List
Obama's campaign has capped donors to the inauguration at $50,000 and banned lobbyist and corporations from contributing to inaugural events. Corporate donors, such as Florida Power & Lights and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida have gotten around this by contributing to private parties. Critics such as Public Citizen note that most contributors to the presidential inaugural committee and the private parts, including those for Congress members, are well-connected political donors.(McClatchy News, 01/09/09)

Donors, including businesses and their lobbying arms, are helping to underwrite the 10 official celebrations. These include corporations and individuals giving $50,000 such as:

American Airlines
Chicago-based Exelon Utility
The Nuclear Energy Institute
Director and Producer Steven and his wife, Kate Capshaw Spielberg
John Keane of CBS-Viacom
Louis Susman of Citibank

Congress is not without it donors. Although an ethics law passed barred lawmakers from attending parties in their honor but left a loop hole for inauguration-related events. For example, textbook publishers and educational-software providers are helping to pay for a ball honoring Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass, chairman of the education committee. The Creative Coalition, and entertainment industry group, will host a gala with more than 40 lawmakers as "honorary hosts." (USA Today, 12/23/08)

At a time when many Americans are suffering economically, and when Obama has promised "Change", some wonder whether it is appropriate to continue the excessive presidential inaugural festivities, whether being paid for with private or public funds. As the Obama Donor List is scrutinized, there may be some suspicion that Obama and Congress are not much different than the administrations that preceded them."