I didn’t watch Joe Biden’s inauguration this week, but not in protest. I never watch inaugurations. I didn’t watch President Trump’s or President Obama’s, and I likely won’t watch the next inauguration in (hopefully) 2024. Why? Because there’s little difference, ceremonially speaking, between our presidential inaugurations and the crowning of a new monarch. The pomp and circumstance makes me shudder. In a republic of elected representatives, why do we mark the peaceful transfer of power with balls, parties, celebrities, music, and a televised address? Did you know, for example, that the president- and vice-president-elect attended a church service prior to the inauguration ceremony? Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m happy that Biden and Kamala Harris are at least making a show of dedicating their administration to God. But monarchs were also crowned in a church to signal that God was blessing their reign. If you think God is blessing Biden’s policies of abortion-on-demand, limiting religious freedom, and kowtowing to the woke mob, I have a bridge in Brooklyn I think you might be interested in. SEE ALSO: Student Has ‘No Regrets’ over Cancelling Classmate During the ceremony itself, Biden was treated to a poem by Amanda Gorman called “The Hill We Climb.” Even as Gorman called for unity, she took shots at the outgoing Trump administration and the voters he represents. “We’ve braved the belly of the beast,” she recited, referring to the last four years and to President Trump. “We’ve seen a forest that would shatter our nation rather than share it. Would destroy our country if it meant delaying democracy. This effort very nearly succeeded.” Maybe it’s just me, but this reminds me an awful lot of the poems written by English bards that praised the current monarch or criticized the previous one. All monarchs need artists who will glorify themselves and vilify their predecessors. Check that box for King Biden. Following the ceremony, Biden and Harris receive a “Presidential Escort” at the White House, which consists of representatives of each branch of the military. Usually, that would be followed by a parade down Pennsylvania avenue where the new president could be fawned over by his adoring crowd. This year, Biden received a “Parade Across America,” featuring performances from all 50 states. Finally, to conclude the day, Biden and Harris appeared on the Blue Room Balcony facing the South Lawn of the White House, just like the monarchs they think they are. SEE ALSO: NBA Executive Stands for Hong Kong Despite Immense Backlash This isn’t just a problem with Democratic administrations, by the way. Republican Presidents enjoy the same pomp and circumstance, which could be why many of them act just as monarchical as their Democratic colleagues. Here’s an idea. Instead of crowning a king and queen, how about we swear-in a president and president-elect… and that’s it. A simple ceremony at the White House would suffice. Broadcast it, fine. But the extravagance of the way we do it makes me sick every four or eight years. Our presidents aren’t in charge. We are. And our transfers of power should reflect that.
