Struggling Economy Make Affect Pricey Inaugural Balls

From holiday bonuses for CEOs to an extravagant White House dinner served last week to world leaders, excess is being frowned upon at every turn. Already, President-elect Barack Obama's team has taken a cue, opting to cancel planned fireworks on election night in Chicago's Grant Park.

So, is there a chance Obama's team will tone down the inaugural festivities, as well?

"I think that they do need to be cognizant that it is a difficult economy," Steve Ellis, vice president of the budget watchdog group, Taxpayers for Common Sense, told ABCNews.com. "And though there's an interest to celebrate, you don't want to appear that it's just party time, rather than pulling up your sleeves and it's work time."

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Comments

[Konnie]

absolutely not!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

this country needs a party. these balls are usually sponsered and not government funded.

this president needs a spectacular launch to match the hopes and dreams of the folks
who put him there in the first place.

this is not the time to wear sack cloth and ashes, and for this president to cave into the
oh woe is me mindset. Let the inauguration and the celebrations following it serve as
the signal that the tide has turned! at last!

[jukesgrrl]

The Obamas should make some kind of statement related to economic conditions in their celebration plans. Our country is in serious trouble and the inauguration should reflect that.

I also hope the committee will make an effort to include in the event the regular folks who will be streaming into the nation's capital. It will be quite a job, but if Obama's inauguration means so much to people that they will break their budgets to travel to DC, I hope they have a memorable time. I'll be the one home watching on TV.

[JJ30]

I will be at hone watching it on my TV as well. Although I would love to be there, the travel headaches and the $$$ out of pocket aren't really worth it.