This last weekend, we saw our American "Royalty" put on a big shindig for the marriage of the former First Daughter and the love of her life. I wish them well.
Not a single stop was unpulled in the lavish extravaganza held on the former Astor estate. That location gave away the unspoken reality of the day. Guests and the press were feted to the tune of a few million dollars for a days celebration. Some press reports had it higher than that, ranging to breathless reports of, gasp!, $5 Million. Dollars.
One day, more than a million to conduct the nuptials. (More than $3 Mil? $7 Million? I don't know, and after that first million mark is passed, it really doesn't matter much at all. It makes those $2500 weddings where brides make their own dresses, men appear in nice dark suits, everyone goes pot luck for the reception, except for a cake made by a friend, seem well, wonderfully real.)
Well gee. That was a lot of cake, party favors, party clothes, sealed airspace, secret service (which apparently was the US taxpayers contribution to the family), and well, it was adding up to real money.
Paul Craig Roberts, formerly of the Reagan administration, brought up the 'let them eat cake' aspect of the day. Paul Craig Roberts -- Counterpunch
Formerly of the Reagan Treasury Department, Mr Roberts understands very well the concept of, a million here, a million there--pretty soon you're talking about real money. Any wedding that cost that much is up in the realm of, why are young people, starting out like this, spending this kind of money? And where did the parents of the couple get that kind of money, 'cuz we know one side of the couple have been in public service for the past umpteen years.
The thing of weddings is this. None of the money ever matters. The whole ceremony could have been done for much less dosh, and achieved the same result. The marriage.
Yep. $$$$$$$$$$ or $, the result is the same. Love is the ruler of the day and a young couple take a giant step into a future together. Bound to each other by love, promises, and faith that love will last.
Ms. Clinton looked radiant, the guests looked radiant, the former President and the Secretary of State were beaming. All in all, it was a successful day for marriage, lavish as it was, and a wedding did what weddings are supposed to do.
The ultimate message of weddings is a simple recitation of faith, that love will prevail, new beginnings are real, two people take a leap of faith undergirded by love for each other and faith that this one, this one partner is the partner for life.
The next day, reality might set in for them. Maybe it won't really set in for them for years to come. One can only hope they keep the strong feeling of being so "in love" as the years and decades go by. I hope that in fifty years, they are sitting with the grandkids, staring fondly at the other and saying, yes, that was quite a day, and I'm thankful for it every day of my life.
For those of us that helped make that celebration as lavish and wonderful as it was, the reality on our lawns, sidewalks, or verandas has not changed. We are stuck. But we got just a glimpse of the party. Just a glimpse, and so many wanted so much more.
No one is throwing parties for the American People. We still have our families, our friends, the fortunate fewer and fewer have work they love, money coming in regularly.
All that said, the wedding was a grand reminder that love can conquer all, love can make the world gather together (at that gazillionaire-worthy mansion), and the rest of us 'cake eaters' will have to adjust. We need to remember that, with all weddings, the magic is the two people getting married, not the expense of the event.
Party time is over, so let's all get back to making this country work again. We've had the "big wedding," the young and in love are honeymooning somewhere or other, and for us the rains are bringing flooding, the dispersants in the Gulf have done, and are doing, some horrible damage, and bank accounts need filling for the not so rich. But we forget all that in the moment, viewing pictures of the bride walking down the aisle on the arm of her father.
As we should.
And next time a princess gets married, remember this. In America we have no royalty. We have people that want to live like, throw parties like, or behave like royalty. So what?
It doesn't matter. All we need is to keep reminding ourselves that here in the US of A, the Constitution is King, the rule of law our royal court, and at the end of every day, love will win out every time. Sometimes, the only love around is love for America. Sometimes it is love for another individual, or a family. Love finds a way to shine through, whether on a wedding day or a work day.
Chelsea and Mark, best wishes to you both. You are fortunate to have found love, and fortunate to have one another.
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