by Chris Thelen

Created on: December 03, 2008

At the height of World War II in 1945, Franklin Roosevelt's inauguration lacked any pomp and circumstance. He gave a short speech at the White House and then held a simple luncheon for about a 1,000 guests. It was an event that recognized the country was at war. While some would say the event was more a reflection of Roosevelt's failing health, it still paid immense respect to those fighting the war.

It is doubtful that the same tone for the inauguration would apply today. Would politicians, who so readily condemn American businesses for flying in private jets and frequenting resorts, really scale back lavish spending on such a momentous event? On the contrary, we are more likely to see countless VIPs descend on Washington in private jets; devour extravagant meals and drinks; and stay in the finest hotels that money can buy. You will be hard-pressed to see any signs of difficult economic times as VIPs parade in luxurious wardrobes worth more than the average American's annual food bill. This is hardly reflective of a country in a deepening recession or a government that is out of money. It is more reminiscent of the behavior of a certain company's executives going to a resort after the government bailed them out.

While this inauguration is certainly an historical event, a milestone worth celebrating, extravagant pageantry hardly seems fitting for an incoming administration that professed during the campaign to be for the common citizen. What message does it send when you condemn the rich and big business during the campaign and then invite them to attend and pay for exclusive, extravagant parties in Washington after the election? Was is just about winning an election? Was it all talk?

What a radical change it would be if all the expensive pageantry and celebration were dropped in favor a more common celebration. Imagine an inaugural ball where everyone wore suits and dresses off a department store rack. What if fast food was served instead of buffets full of fine food and drink? What message would it send if the incoming administration rode down Pennsylvania Avenue in a common American sedan instead of a limousine? Actions like this would send a powerful message that we are all in this together - that Washington will start living within its means from day one.

Deep down Americans are hungering for a Washington that acts more like the common person living within its means. It's why they thought it was so great that Gerald Ford made his own breakfast the first day of his presidency. It's why they cheered when Jimmy and Rosalyn Carter stepped out of the presidential limousine and walked down Pennsylvania Avenue. They want to know that Washington will do more than its part to return to fiscal accountability and it will start with the actions of every member of Congress and the White House.

These are extraordinary times and they call for extraordinary change in the way our government conducts its business. This January we have a fresh opportunity to make real change. My fear is what we will end up with is more of the same out of Washington where we try to spend ourselves out of trouble and point fingers at each other. In the end, we will all pay for that strategy for years to come.

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