Presidential inauguration is celebration of our unity

Media critics knocked television coverage of the 57th Presidential Inauguration when broadcasters concurred with what Republican U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander noted as the “peaceful, orderly way” through which the nation transfers or reaffirms its leadership every four years.

Other pundits sniffed that the number of people who went to Washington to celebrate Barack Obama’s second inauguration fell to just half the crowd that attended his first.

And, of course, there were many, many paid and unpaid commentators very, very unhappy that an estimated $170 million will have been spent on observances and festivities for a president who has already had one inauguration, as if Obama was getting two parties for one birthday.

A blogger in D.C. scoffed at the idea that the peaceful transition the Tennessee senator referred to before Vice President Joseph Biden was sworn in is unique to America. He scornfully pointed out that at least a dozen other countries have conducted themselves similarly and that there was nothing special about ours. He opined that leadership change without bloodshed is no big deal.

Well, he should ask the people of Syria — who have been engulfed in the blood of tens of thousands for almost two years as civil war rages through their country — what their preference would be. He should ask the people of Eritrea — rebelling in hopes of establishing a democracy against a repressive regime that once stood for them — if living in strongest democracy in the world has value.

We, the people, know it does.

The cost of the inauguration is understandably a sore point for some taxpayers whose ears are pounded constantly with talk of fiscal cliffs and debt. They see tax dollars spent on pomp as a waste of money with $1.2 million budgeted for the swearing-in ceremony and VIP lunch, and about $100 million for security services, though they should know that the fancy balls and parade are paid for through private donations.

That much of the cash flows to businesses that supply portable toilets, folding chairs, bunting, food, new flags, safety barriers and other infrastructure, and to states’ law enforcement officers doesn’t seem to discount the spending.

I can only argue that the cost has great benefit. Besides Independence Day, there aren’t many holidays that focus solely on being an American. But once every four years, we, the people, have an opportunity to celebrate together our way of life, whether it be with 1.8 million or just 1 million others.

Each Inauguration Day extends a continuous, stable line in our history. It is an occasion to commemorate with pride and sober thought all the favor and responsibilities that come with citizenship.

It marks a persistent attempt to shift and recalibrate for the better, even when the person elected to take the helm isn’t an individual’s choice. It reflects the reason for unity, that if we, the people, can celebrate together, we can gather together our hope.

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Cynthia Oi can be reached at coi@staradvertiser.com.