Column Proposal: Are Elaborate Inauguration Events Necessary?

RE: Story Outline: Are elaborate Inauguration events necessary?

Subject: Inaugurations cost more money each year as the elaborateness increases, while the country is struggling financially, is an elaborate Inauguration really necessary or should actions be taken to try and cut costs.

Scope: I will research the rise in cost of Inauguration ceremonies throughout the years while showing how the ceremony has evolved through the years. The ceremony used to be held on a different date and only included the oath of affirmation.  Today, the ceremony is a daylong event that includes ceremonies, parades, speeches and balls.  I will also examine if all of the extra events that have been added over the years really add anything to the importance of the ceremony. With recent pushes for gun control and the fiscal cliff, should more focus be placed on these than on elaborate events? Should the ceremony go back to its roots and just include the oath of affirmation?

Need: In a time when the United States is struggling financially, people should know how much the ceremonies, parades, speeches and balls cost.  Also, some the cost falls on the shoulders of the American people. Many people are unaware that they help foot the bill for the event and with the country and its people in a time of financial and economic uncertainty, they should be informed of the cost to the government as well as them. With working class American’s fitting part of the bill, should they have a say in cutting extravagant expenses from the ceremony.

Methods: I will be using the Internet and Marshall University databases to gather information about the history of the Inauguration as well as costs throughout the years. Also, I could research the history and cost in books in the Morrow as well as Drinko libraries on Marshall University’s campus.

Sources: I will be using information from published articles such as the New York Times as well as other trusted publications. Also, I will be interviewing people who have watched the Inauguration to get their opinion on whether or not all of the elaborate events are needed for the Inauguration process.

Presentation: This is a one-part story on the significant cost of the Inauguration ceremonies and the response from the American public to the cost.

Follow-up: When the final cost of this year’s inauguration ceremony is revealed, there could be outrage from the American public over the cost of the ceremony as well as politicians who call for the next ceremony to be less elaborate.