I get the impression that this is a chicken and egg scenario. Given what we've seen of the Obamas, it doesn't sound like they'd have planned such extravagance because of ego.

However, this election energized the American voters more than any I remember in my lifetime and, as plans were being drawn up for this event, I believe it became clear to the designers that the crowds would be record-breaking.

My guess is much of the cost you see is in response to having to deal with so many people. I've seen estimates as high as 4 million. So what would you have done Bowser, told them all to stay home? Even if he did, I'm not sure they would have listened.

I agree that way too much money is spent on ceremony in our government and I'd love to see it stop but I'm not sure you can pin this on the incoming administration. Once he was elected there was this speeding train on the tracks of things that would happen. I'm not sure anyone could stop it without derailing the whole thing.

Art