Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...

The inagural itself will be a historic occassion, the nations first black president.

Other than that, not to much difference unless American's get in their and do some of the work themselves.

1st Register to vote, and then Vote.
2nd Let your elected officials know what you think.
3rd If they don't listen, throw them out.
4th Give a third of forth political party a chance to represent you. It's hard to tell the difference between our two party system now.
5th Pay off your bills and save for your future.
6th Quit expecting Government to take care of us all, that is not governments job.
7th Let your elected officials know this is the last term for them, if they don't listen to you.
Steve-O

January 19, 2009 at 1:01 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

seriouslyfolks (anonymous) says...

My view is it is more money spent unnecessarily by our government. This isn't the time to spend tax dollars on a party. I know it will mean a lot to a lot of people and that is good but the timing is just bad financially.

Steve is right about our 2 parties. It never ceases to amaze me that people want their lives more controlled by a government that can't even control it's self.

January 19, 2009 at 2:07 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

open_eyes (anonymous) says...

It will be a historic occasion, and deserves to be noted and celebrated as so. But.....4 times as expensive as any inauguration in history? Is that really necessary in light of our current financial problems? Maybe our local commissioners should have voted themselves an even bigger payraise...... LOL

January 19, 2009 at 3:05 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

hellfirebluefish (anonymous) says...

Thank You.....

So if the option was here to save Tyson when they shut slaughter side down, would you have supported a bailout to save Emporians their job??? 2.6 million jobs were lost under the Bush Administration, way to go Bush...Spend some money and create the jobs Americans so desperately need, seems like a pretty good trade of to me.

January 19, 2009 at 3:37 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

methusla (anonymous) says...

I would like to ask President Obama to please enact a fair and equitable taxation policy that will take the burden off the poor working class and middle class and see that the wealthy pay their fair share, without any tax loop-holes to stuff tons of money in and not pay taxes on it.
I would also ask President Obama to please do all he can to abolish all "Lobbying by individuals and so called special interest groups" in Washington DC and throughout America.
I would also ask President Obama to not go to war with anyone unless he or congress is absolutely sure of the enemy and which country is behind any attack, etc..
I would ask President Obama to put a stop to just handing out money to every TOM, DICK, and HARRY and Country that asks for a handout, ie, "GOLDEN PARACHUTE" and " FOREIGN AID". Governent " HANDOUTS are KILLING this country" and besides the taxpayers are the ones who suffer because of it.
These are but just a few of the things I would like to talk to President Obama, face to face about.

January 19, 2009 at 3:53 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

ratdog (anonymous) says...

I'd tell him that while he's spending $150 million on the most extravagant inauguration in history and dinning with Oprah, I resent the fact that he continues to tell the people in this country that have risked everything to build businesses, create employment and provide health care and benefits to workers that they aren't doing their share. I'd tell him to put his money where his mouth is!

January 19, 2009 at 4 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

MisterO (anonymous) says...

According to the New York Times, the "4 times as expensive" statement is false.

If you actually look deeper into this on this and do a comparison, the $160 million price tag for Obama's inauguration includes security, while the $42 million quoted for Bush's inauguration does NOT include security.

The cost of Bush's inauguration including the security? About $157 million.

Obama's inauguration isn't anywhere near four times the cost of Bush's.

Also, a breakdown of the cost to the American Taxpayer:

Bush - about $115 million
Obama - about $115 million

The difference is in the private funds raised:

Bush - $42 million
Obama - estimated at $45 million

Source: New York Times (http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/06/us/...)

January 19, 2009 at 4:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Pollyanna (anonymous) says...

If I could sit down with Barack Obama the first thing I would say is "thank you". Thank you for making people once again pay attention to our nation and its government. Even before his hand is laid on that Bible, he has changed our nation. He has made our youth re energized and engaged in the process, he has instilled hope to Americans and he has challenged all of us to a call for action and to engage in service. Instead of asking him about taxes and war and all the ills he has to face beginning tomorrow, I would thank him for taking on the challenge and listen intently to his ideas.

January 19, 2009 at 4:44 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

open_eyes (anonymous) says...

MisterO, I stand corrected - thx for the update. And I'm big enough man to admit it. thx for setting me straight on the figures.

January 19, 2009 at 4:59 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

MisterO (anonymous) says...

That's ok Open_Eyes, I wasn't necessarily trying to single you out. I have heard the 4x the cost from a LOT of people and decided to try and find out why because I wasn't too happy about it either. I also wasn't aware that private donations paid such a significant dollar amount for the inauguration, either. Makes me wonder what favors will be granted in return for such an expensive party.

January 19, 2009 at 5:34 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Tell (anonymous) says...

I am happy for him and I believe we do need change but I didn't vote for him because he is black I believe he is the right man for the job.I think he can inspire alot of people to do the right thing and move this country forward. But I must admit I am tired of hearing about the color of his skin after all isn't he half white. Congratulations President Obama!

January 19, 2009 at 6:08 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

silencedogood (anonymous) says...

@methusla
You might want to check your statistics, the wealthiest 2% of the U.S. population pays 98% of the taxes. That means they pay for what they earn. I agree with everything else you stated.

January 19, 2009 at 6:24 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

silencedogood (anonymous) says...

@MisterO

I don't think that in today's age the New York Times is a reliable source of information. They are about as left-winged biased as you can get. Maybe one day we will wake up and demand actual journalism. You know the kind that reports the news and facts as they are, without a slant.

January 19, 2009 at 6:27 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

MisterO (anonymous) says...

silencedogood: Perhaps you can find a "reliable source" or two that will give us a breakdown of:

1. Where did the $160 million estimate come from
2. What does the $160 million include (does it or does it not include the cost of security)
3. What does Bush's $42 million include (did it or did it not include the cost of security)
4. What was the total cost of Bush's inauguration (including private donations and the cost of security, etc.)?

Please feel free to share 'cause I'm always willing to learn.

January 19, 2009 at 6:46 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

rcakmon (anonymous) says...

FYI...Obama's donations for this celebration came from private citizens with a limit for the total allowed from any one person or company. It was not funded by PACs and lobbyists that funded the last few inaugurations. Frankly, I think this election deserves a HUGE celebration.

I would tell Mr. Obama to try to reach across the aisle and work with everyone. And please get our troops out of Iraq. We've lost enough lives and spent enough money. Their government has a huge surplus. Time to let them make it work without our money and troops.

January 19, 2009 at 6:59 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

LifeGoesOn (anonymous) says...

silencedogood you said " the wealthiest 2% of the U.S. population pays 98% of the taxes"
Where did ya get those stats?

Tell , couldnt agree more " I am tired of hearing about the color of his skin" I mean its great, the first "Black" president, yippie! Are we going to judge his work by the color of his skin also? if he screws up will it be because he was black? if he does great, will that be because of the color of his skin?
I doubt it. It will be because of who he is not the color he is.

January 19, 2009 at 6:59 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

tbluma (anonymous) says...

I would tell him good luck, I hope everything works out. Then I would tell him to initiate a fair tax, IE a flat income tax or a sales tax where everyone pays their fair share. I'm getting tired of hearing about taxing the rich to save the poor or the illegals. I would tell him to leave my Health insurance alone,I don't need government health insurance. They can't run any other business they're in so why should he think they can run that. I would tell him to leave my retirement plan alone. They already have screwed up social security let my personal stuff alone. I would repeat let my personal stuff alone we don't need anymore socialist ideas than we already have. Hell we have enough people in Emporia trying to tell us they know more about what we need than we do.

January 19, 2009 at 7:27 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

open_eyes (anonymous) says...

My research agrees with MisterO's figures. It IS quite a historic event, I'm not THAT against the celebration - it's just that the 4X figure I had heard, like MrO, seemed outlandish given the conditions. However, given the crazies out there, I have no problem with the money spent on security. After listening to alot of the ignorant hate spouted on these boards, I didn't have a problem with the security spent in 2005, and I don't have a problem with it now. Sad to say.

I would tell Obama that even though I did not vote for him, he is my president, I am behind him, and I and rooting for him to succeed. I'd tell him to try to find a way to stop the massive outsourcing of jobs from this country without making the companies non-competitive. Stop ILLEGAL immigration (and by that, I don't mean make it all legal). Just a couple points for starters, that's probably all I'll be able to get out in my alloted 10 seconds - LOL

January 19, 2009 at 7:51 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

jackslap (anonymous) says...

I would ask him as a fellow smoker not to allow smoking bans!

January 19, 2009 at 7:54 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

nks (anonymous) says...

I would first ask him to take care of his fellow Americans instead of sending billions of our tax dollars to countries all over the world.

Then I would ask him to make it law that to accept government financial assistance you must pass an English literacy exam. No English, no money...

January 19, 2009 at 9:06 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

admireed (anonymous) says...

I would hope that he is given a chance and it not blasted, every day, every day, every day as Bush was, just because he is from a different party. The Office of The President deserves space and respect.

January 19, 2009 at 9:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

seriouslyfolks (anonymous) says...

I'd tell him I want my free solar powered unicorn that he promised me in sky blue with a rainbow tail! Yeah! Yeah that's what I would tell him! Raindbow.............Yeah rainbow!

January 19, 2009 at 9:20 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...

I would tell him that I will try as an American to work hard to make this country a better place in which to live and please make sure the federal government stays out of the way. Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country!
Steve-O

January 19, 2009 at 9:41 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...

is it just me or did THE QUESTION CHANGE ON THIS THREAD? IT STARTED OUT ABOUT ONE QUESTION THEN ABOUT MID-WAY IT CHANGED TO ANOTHER QUESTION. TWO DIFFERENT QUESTIONS, = TWO DIFFERENT ANSWERS. COME ON GWEN, GET YOUR Stuff TOGETHER!
Steve-o

January 19, 2009 at 9:51 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...

Didn't this start out with a question about the "inauguration"
of the president and not sitting down with him? Come on Gwen don't change the question in midstream.
Steve

January 19, 2009 at 10 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

seriouslyfolks (anonymous) says...

WHAT!? You mean we don't get to sit on his lap and give him our wish list! I feel...................... well I don't know what to do now!

January 19, 2009 at 10:37 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

glarson (Gwen Larson) says...

Sorry, Steve. Afraid I don't have anything to do with this one, except helping create the question about what folks would want to tell the new president.

I didn't see the original story posted, so don't know what it said. I wasn't online to see this thread until about 5 p.m. yesterday. By then, it reflected the question the newsroom came up with in mid-afternoon.

Watch for more answers in tonight's print edition.

January 20, 2009 at 7:57 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

create (anonymous) says...

I would ask our new president to strike government waste in every department by having a team of efficiency experts scrutinize every expense. Heads of all those wasting precious taxpayer dollars should roll! Next, put an end to all lobbying. Third, no earmarks allowed. Tear down that Bridge to Nowhere idiocy. Please, get us out of Iraq as soon as possible -- let them spend their own money and stand on their own feet. Finally, thank you for inspiring millions of young people, once apathetic, to get involved in their government.

"Rosa sat so Martin could walk; Martin walked so Barack could run; Barack ran so children can fly."

January 20, 2009 at 9:04 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

antmarching (anonymous) says...

Create, thank you for making everyone dumber by posting that ridiculous quote.

I'd just like to thank Obama, because now I don't have to worry about my mortgage/rent, car payment, credit card debt, groceries, cigarettes, liquor, Girl Scout cookies, etc.!!

January 20, 2009 at 9:32 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

seriouslyfolks (anonymous) says...

Oh great I thought it was hard to keep track of my kids now! When will children get their power of flight? I seriously have no idea how I'm going to deal with this. I know Obama's all powerful goodness is going to do great things but I'm not too thrilled about children flying!

January 20, 2009 at 10:07 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

louwho (anonymous) says...

antmarching,
Does your name have reference to DMB?

January 20, 2009 at 11:36 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

momus (anonymous) says...

I must have watched a different speech. The address I watched talked about the value of work of the common man. It also addressed the greed and corruption that lead this nation into the economic crisis we now face. So, first I'm surprised to have so many super wealthy people on this board complaining about taking care of others. I thought you folks had butlers type for you... And, second I'm surprised that people that have a work expectation are now being "taken care of" by our wealthy blog board compatriots. I always thought of "work" as receiving payment for services rendered, not "being taken care of". But I definitely share your concern that all of the US trust fund heirs and heiresses might actually have to get a job and contribute to the economy rather than simply live on the interest of the income their grand parents produced. I'll be devastated if hard working individuals that didn't come from a gated community ascend to positions of power through hard work while Paris Hilton punches a time clock. The thought alone right now makes tears well up. Must... Stop... Typing... Reaching for Kleenex... Find a happy place...

January 20, 2009 at 1:15 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

seriouslyfolks (anonymous) says...

momus
I think that the people who don't feel quite so optimistic as you do about Obama realize that he is a politician and nothing more.

January 20, 2009 at 1:37 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

goodoleboy (anonymous) says...

"momus
I think that the people who don't feel quite so optimistic as you do about Obama realize that he is a politician and nothing more."

Optimistic or not, until today he has done neither good nor bad, talk to me in a few years and lets judge him then. People are excited and involved in government, that is never a bad thing, in fact that alone is something to be optimistic about despite your political views.

January 20, 2009 at 2:34 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

oh4theluvof (anonymous) says...

Optimism is a funny thing--it can exist outside of any tangible cause.
I would say to President Obama that I hope he is able to follow through on the joy and joyness promises, but I'm sure he will have blindly loyal supporters no matter what. I would also applaud the talent he has with words, charging apathetic people for the one-time function of getting him voted in, knowing they will drop off now because they trust that all will be well because he's there.
Then I would probably switch subjects knowing by then he would have a feel for my opinions and would diplomatically state his views in a fashion that would make them appear to match my views, thereby attempting to convince me that he and I agree. I think I would talk about soup.

January 20, 2009 at 3:04 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

goodoleboy (anonymous) says...

I am optimistic that because of the intrest in govenrment generated by the Obama run for presidency that there will less apathy when it comes to the participation in our govenrment, reguardless of your polictical stance or if you like or dislike him, that is a GREAT thing, and a cause for optimism in our society.

January 20, 2009 at 3:27 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

oh4theluvof (anonymous) says...

My point is that I don't believe that political involvement has any sticking power. I think many of his voters will sit back and relax now that he is in place to do it for them--possibly increasing the number of uninvolved citizens from what it was prior to his campaign.

January 20, 2009 at 3:33 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

goodoleboy (anonymous) says...

Well until the next elections there is not a lot more we can do now is there? The people of this nation made their bed, now we have to sleep in it.

January 20, 2009 at 3:35 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

mythoughts (anonymous) says...

I would like to say to him, keep the faith, believe in us and don't betray our trust. You are only one man, and represent one third of our government, but I believe your ability to analyze situations and to bring people to a consensus on the best resolutions and actions will help our nation regain it's strength and position in this world. I am ready.

January 20, 2009 at 3:59 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

oh4theluvof (anonymous) says...

goodoleboy, help me out--you confused me. You went from:
"People are excited and involved in government,........"
to:
"Well until the next elections there is not a lot more we can do now is there?"

January 20, 2009 at 11:34 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

paulkersey (anonymous) says...

I say two things:

1. At least give the guy a chance.
2. Don't get your hopes up too high. If you do, prepared to be let down.

January 21, 2009 at 2:21 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

create (anonymous) says...

Good post, paulkersey. Yes, give this man a chance for crying out loud. And as far as being worried about your children flying about, tie their butts down if you don't want them to go forward in life. What a stupid comment.

January 21, 2009 at 7:53 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

seriouslyfolks (anonymous) says...

If I tie them down SRS will take them away. It was a joke anyway. I was being creative. Paul's second point is what I've been saying all along and I don't know if people have it in them to give people a chance who aren't in their party. I'll give the guy a chance. I have never bashed the man himself just the over exuberance people have about what he's going to do or is even able of doing.

January 21, 2009 at 9:41 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

allintogether (anonymous) says...

Why are you helping bail out the banks?

I started thinking about this. Banks charge us for everything but don't really do much of anything. There are over draft fees of $25 to $35. Finance charges of 6% on houses and 9% on used cars. Monthly fees for checking accounts. Teller fees if you want to talk to a human. Credit card interest charges of anywhere from 7% to over 20% depending on credit history. Late charges of $40 for credit card payments. Money Orders now cost me money even if I have an account at the bank. They were free 10 years ago.

All of that is apparently fine with consumers because they pay for it every day. To me the biggest insult is when it comes to my savings account. I give them say $5000 for them to hang onto. They pay me .0024% in interest or some other infinitesimal rate on my money. They take that money and go out and invest it and make 8%, maybe more, even in a down market. For that, I might as well put it in a coffee can. How do you fail when you have such diverse revenue streams?

If bad mortgages account for all of the losses then why do Barney Frank and Chris Dodd still have jobs? I know, I know, they are elected. They can incompetently mismanage anything they want and then point the finger. Frank was recently re-elected by his Massachusetts constituents by a large margin. For all the complaining we do about our politicians we sure don't throw the bums out when they commit disastrous errors. Irrespective of political party, if you screw up that bad, you got to go.

I know the pundits say there would be gloom and doom if the banks were allowed to fail. I think it would be bad for a while but if it forced the banks to lower loan rates and pay higher interest rates on savings, I would say the pain would be worth it. Its easy for me to say that because I have been a saver since I was 3 years old.

So what do we get for the $45 billion we are handing over to Bank of America? An invite to the Christmas party? Can I have poker games in the vault? Why not? We own a percentage now as taxpayers.

My second question on this topic would be "Do you or any other politician understand the concept of the number 1 billion"? With as freely as they are spending our money, I would say they don't.

I also have to borrow from Dennis Miller and say when is enough going to be enough? As Americans we destroyed a ship full of merchandise because England taxed our breakfast beverage...and it wasn't even coffee. We should be guarded and optimistic about our futures and very disappointed with our politicians and the greedy losers that got us here.

January 21, 2009 at 3:47 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

open_eyes (anonymous) says...

A good point, allintogether, and one I've wondered about myself for quite some time. We hear constantly about Bush being a failure... and his party lost the election largely due to the economy..... and then Barney Frank & Dodd get re-elected, when they had their finger right on Fannie & Freddie all the time, and straight-out lied to all of us about it. Weren't they failures? Didn't they lie? Noooo..... they were just in a different party, apparently. Doesn't make much sense, does it?

I also do not go along with this whole "country coming together" mantra being chanted. I watched the boos for Bush at the inauguration, I just watched the filthy low-class rap by Jay-Z at one of the parties, I just watched the anti-Bush video some person who should have their child taken away by child services taught their 2-year old daughter & put on the web........

It just APPEARS that the country has "come together" because..... many of the losers this time are better-behaved, more grown-up and mature, and have more class than what we've seen for 8 years.

January 21, 2009 at 11:17 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )