I live in a place we locals like to call ANOTHER California, commonly referred to as NorCal or Far NorCal. We are of mixed political views, yet we seem to fight for our common ground generally on the same level. We are not typically given much credit by the rest of California – Sacramento and south to L.A.. However, we have something they don’t… a perfectly designed NATURAL wonderland. With several STATE PARKS, national parks, national forests, state forests, and state beaches, this land covers a whopping 20% of California! Because of this natural, amazing and diverse terrain, we can offer a perfect get away for anyone who is blessed enough to traverse our land.
We provide great recreation and adventure for whatever your outdoor pleasure may be including fishing, hunting, boating, skiing, wakeboarding, snowboarding, snow-skiing, camping, hiking, canoeing, kayaking, white-water rafting, an abundance of waterfalls to enjoy, lakes and streams to explore, forests to take in… believe me, I could go on. There are also hundreds of businesses here to help make your stay, whether it be a day trip, a week trip, or over an entire season – comfortable. We do everything to make you feel welcome here. We have the best of the best when it comes to public and private business etiquette, facilities, and amenities. Our local communities constantly look for what the “tourist” wants, and they bring it, build it, or fix it to suit their needs. Our population thrives on the tourism economy, and we LIVE for it! That is why I write this today.
We are in a time of financial crisis nationwide and statewide, meaning Californians are getting hit even harder than some of our fellow Americans. Not only do we get taxed more than any other state, but now that we said “no” to even MORE taxes, the Governor seems to think it is logical to close our states natural treasures – our State Parks. All in all California has 279 parks, 220 of which he is proposing to shut down! Not only is this NOT in any way acceptable, but here in Far Northern California all we have left, is a glimpse of hope to survive this recession - with TOURISM feeding anyone left making any sort of salary north of Sacramento. Cutting State Parks is Cutting our paychecks even more, putting us at an even higher Unemployment rate - as if 9% and climbing isn't high enough!
The majority of the solutions our government has come up with during this time of crisis have been partly or completely devastating to most of us. Our votes are usually biased - based on what makes our own lives more satisfying. We shouldn't have to cut back on funding to our local police and firemen, or to education or RECREATION... just to name a few... The State parks cover or almost cover their own cost with entrance fees. Its just not a feasible solution at all - plus it puts more people on unemployment and results in LESS tourism money for the economy - especially in those rural areas that depend on their state parks in such a small summer season.... California commercially advertises the states tourism and Arnold is on the commercial - at the end he says "California, find yourself here." which is the States motto for tourism - if that is not hypocritical of him what is? He should say "California, find yourself SCREWED here." Why do we offer welfare programs to non-citizens, and unemployment to anyone who doesn't speak english as a first or second language? And why do my kids go to the last 10 days of school if its wasted on costly field trips and parties? The last two weeks of school should be spent with the few children who need special attention to pass the grade... the rest of them should be sent packing the day before Memorial Day weekend - if this isn't a waste of money what is?
Some hotshots seem to think that recreation is somehow disposable – that the governator needs to cut costs somewhere… but if we take away our recreation and mini (if that) Vacations... you take away our sanity to work as hard as we do. Quality of life means a lot to our well-being and it is worth more to Californian's than most would think. You can't put a price tag on our States Treasures... they are "priceless."
1 comment:
So many things in our state that serve a select few....and so many things are wasted too on those who have made their business to milk the state of benefits it offers...I have seen it first hand while us working stiffs pay out the nose. To take away the self funding parks...the fees they take in...just doesn't make sense. Will they close the lakes next? Someone has to be paid to keep us out. It seems so out of control!
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