His reality: "The country is in the middle of the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression, which isn't stopping rich donors and the government from spending $170 million, or more, on the inauguration of Barack Obama."
His hype: "It must be a priority of American foreign policy to commit to eliminating extreme poverty and ensuring every child has food, shelter, and clean drinking water. As we strive to rebuild America's standing in the world, this important bill will demonstrate our promise and commitment to those in the developing world."
His reality: "They are not the $20 and $50 donors who helped propel Obama through Election Day," said Massie Ritsch, communications director for the Center for Responsive Politics. "These are people giving mostly $50,000 apiece. They tend to be corporate executives, celebrities, the elite of the elite."
His hype: "It matters little if you have the right to sit at the front of the bus if you can’t afford the bus fare; it matters little if you have the right to sit at the lunch counter if you can’t afford the lunch."
His reality: Obama's Inauguration has been financed partially by bailed-out Wall Street Executives
37.3 million Americans were living in poverty in 2007 and that number is much higher now. The country lost 21,000 jobs in one day. "Among the inaugural expenses: a Bruce Springsteen concert, 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.Meanwhile, back at the reality ranch, How much rice does it take to feed a person for a day?
In countries where rice is a staple part of the diet, WFP provides, on average, about 400 grams of rice per person, per day. That is intended for two meals that include other ingredients to ensure a minimum of 2,100 kilocalories per day. There are about 48 grains of rice in a gram. How many grams of rice would 165 million inaugural dollars buy? A LOT.
As the 'elite of the elite' dance the night away, and the bills for this expensive party come rolling in, think about how many grains of rice that party money could buy. Think about a president
who ran on a platform of vowing to eradicate the tragedy of world poverty, yet is happily throwing the biggest and most expensive inaugural party of all time.ABC NEWS: What Recession? The $170 Million Inauguration
more at the link. Much more. If you dare.
