During President Bush’s campaign for re-election, his backers were quick to invoke the name of Franklin Roosevelt. As in 1944, they argued, the people should not change leaders in the middle of a war.
But now that Bush is about to be sworn in for a second term, his supporters do not make FDR analogies so often. Roosevelt reasoned that amid the Second World War, a lavish inauguration was inappropriate. There were no parades or balls. His speech, delivered at the White House rather than the Capitol, was a little longer than this editorial and was followed by a buffet luncheon.
Bush, on the other hand, is planning a $40 million extravaganza, funded by donations of as much as $250,000 from corporations, trade associations and executives with an interest in pending legislation and regulations. It will be spread over three days this week, with nine balls and a host of other parties, concerts, lunches and fireworks.
Bad taste indeed. This $40M is not even accounting for the tens of millions in security for the Tyco-esque extravaganza that amounts to nothing more than Capital Socialism. As lobbyist vie for the affections of law-makers and the White House our troops scrounge dumps for vehicle armor.
Aaron Fulkerson 