The Imminent Coronation of King George II
I am not one of those people who gets all sniffy and self-righteous and tries to guilt the "haves" into giving up their spoils for some "greater good" -- although I do have a strong personal belief that it is the right thing to do to help where one can. But after all, in a capitalist society, the whole point is that one should be entitled to reap the rewards of hard work. Why else would we put in such long hours and expend the effort required to succeed if we got no tangible benefit from the exertion?Consequently, although I do sympathize with the sentiment expressed by those who are demanding that the world would be better served if the $40+ million earmarked for the upcoming Inauguration Extravaganza could be re-routed to, say, tsunami relief efforts or other worthwhile causes, and even though I believe that these people's hearts are definitely in the right place, I do think (as much as it pains me to say it, feeling as I do about the results of the recent election) that the Shrub (apparently having successfully hoodwinked a bare majority of misguided voters) has the right to celebrate his success. I honestly
do not begrudge him his moment of triumph.
That being said -- does it have to be such a LAVISH display of conspicuous consumption in the face of so much economic uncertainty among all the peons who can't afford to participate but are relegated to the sidelines to observe all the fiddling while all around us burns? Does ANY occasion warrant a $40 million party? Isn't it just a tad over-the-top under the circumstances?
And it is telling that the National Stepford Wife was trotted out this week to tweet and twitter about how it is really okay and in good taste and of incredible historical importance -- they only release HER when their backsides are getting uncomfortably close to the fire and they go on the defensive. Maybe there is a twinge of conscience in there somewhere after all. ...Nah. The Coronation is still on.
posted by Jane Hamsher @ 1/16/2005 05:16:00 AM
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