Obama’s First Economic Stimulus Package?

While it won’t be officially announced by president-elect Obama, his first economic stimulus package appears to be on its way.

People are lining up in droves to spend exorbitant amounts of money to purchase tickets and a place to stay in the DC area during Inauguration week.  Tickets are free to the lucky few that can get them, but a market has popped up for the rest of us.  Inauguration tickets are selling on Craigslist for anywhere between $800 to $10,000 for a pair! (Caveat: I do not recommend these listings for purchasing tickets, I’m just pointing out what people are listing them for)

Accommodations make tickets look cheap.  Craigslist has loads of people generously offering a spare bedroom or an apartment for the week.  Prices start around $3,000/week! (Same caveat: not recommened)  That’s just to start.  The Fairmont Hotel in Foggy Bottom is offering their ultra-exclusive “Eco-Inaugural” package (that is a whole other issue).  The four-night extravaganza includes the exclusive use of a Lexus hybrid vehicle, with a driver, his and her organic spa treatments with a massage and manicures.  This one clocks in at $40,000 total.

If you’re doing the math at home, the high-end package, with tickets, might run you a cool $50,000.  Even for an Inaugural ceremony this historic, that seems like a lot of money.

If the purpose of an economic stimulus package is to get people spending their money, then it looks like its working.  Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to post an ad on Craigslist.