Das Kapital Hill by Ben Van Loon

For this year's Inauguration, North Park's University Ministries helped sponsor a bus trip out to D.C. for some lucky students to view the historical event. I was going to go with UMin, but redacted my admission at the last minute (losing $50 in the process). There were a few reasons for this: I don't like buses, I don't like people, and I received a jury summons. For security reasons, the bus wouldn't have been allowed near the inaugural site, and I would have been stuck taking public transportation along with three-to-four million other wet, cold, and complaining Proud-To-Be-An-Americans. Furthermore, I would have been out at least $85, assuming that I didn't buy any food before or during the trip. So I ask: what is the one thing that all of us have in common, besides the love of our new President? Our love of Money.

Here are some numbers: It is estimated that an Inauguration ceremony costs about 150 million dollars to organize. Tickets for the swear-in ceremony cost at least $725 each. A ticket for the inaugural ball costs at least $1,300. A ticket for the Illinois State Society inaugural ball costs at least $445. D.C. Metrorail tickets cost between $1.65 and $4.50. The average national price for a gallon of gas as of January 12th is around $1.78. A quarter-water costs only 25 cents! And you can get two packs of mini powdered donuts for a dollar! Holy cojones!

Some people opposed to new presidential cabinets will protest these seemingly gross inaugural expenditures. They will say that the money could be used for better things, like education or healthcare. However, most of the money comes from private sources, and the Presidential Inaugural Committee (PIC) lists these at their website (http://www.pic2009.org/page/content/donors/). Some of the private donations are as low as $250 dollars, and are (listed) as high as $50,000. Tom Eley's January 8th article from the World Socialist Website (wsws.org) unearths some interesting facts regarding the PIC's appropriation of funds. Elrey says "One hundred and eighty-nine donors have raised or "bundled" 87 percent, or $21.6 million, of the total [funds raised so far]."

Obama, to intimate Elrey's sentiment, has attempted to maintain the image of himself as being different or new. He has barred donations from corporations or organizations, and reduced the donation limit to only $50,000, rather than the $250,000 donation limit Bush employed. However, a few donors appear twice on the list - not because they have anything to gain from such magnanimity, but rather, they are simply that charitable and kind-hearted. This is what makes Obama's election so different. There were no lies, no money passed under tables (cf: Blagojevich), and no bad politics. He won because he is a good guy. As the proverb goes, good guys finish first. Experience repeatedly proves the truth of this.

Obama not only represents change, but also the end of the WASParchy that has dominated Capital Hill since America's inception. There are no more rich white guys calling the shots. America likes Obama because he has endured, and is the result of progress that is the tumult of American history. Genuine politicians are so rarely rewarded, and with Obama you get what you see. Though, if you have between ten to fifty thousand extra dollars, you can see even more. (I thought I had $85, but I didn't even have that.) If I were rich, I'd be charitable too. That way I wouldn't have to deal with people, use the Metrorail, or stand in the cold with three million of my closest friends. Next time there's change, I'll make sure I have fifty-thousand-worth. Jury duty - gets you every time.