Inauguration
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It’s hard to believe that this is a democracy. Watching the activities and ceremonies in Washington it seemed more like a coronation than a mere result of a presidential election.
In the meantime, there were shootings and riots in Miami, children shot in a California school by a madman who was able to buy a gun without any trouble, and the homeless in Washington fed scraps from the presidential feast.
Outgoing President Ronald Reagan says we are celebrating “a successful revolution” of “200 years ago.”
Once again, Reagan has things backward, I think. I doubt whether our Founding Fathers, who objected to the ostentatious life style of King George, would have fought a revolution in order to emulate his hoopla in every election to a four-year term of office.
I doubt whether they would have fought a revolution if “success” meant the presidency would bring back the power and trappings of royalty.
SYLVIA SHAPIRO
San Diego
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