Tourism drives our economy

The holidays are a time of reflection: a time to look upon what is important, and contemplate our expectations and goals for the New Year.

[Martin cohn]

While I agree that tourism is important for Vermont's economy, I don't think it is as simple as increasing funding for tourism marketing. When tourists arrive to enjoy everything that our state offers, they discover that they can't use their cell phones or laptop computers. A priority of the legislature should be to expand its broadband capabilities. The Vermont Telecommunications Authority that was charged by the legislature to accomplish this task by 2010 is not going to succeed. Perhaps we need to assess exactly what has been accomplished by the VTA and redirect its efforts. Broadband is a key to economic development. Without it, those tourists will not be able to call home to tell their friends about the beauty of Vermont.

[Todd]

It will be fun watching things unwind as the US Dollar/energy/import system collapses. Tourism will become irrelevant. However, Vermont, some of the Great Lakes regions, and some of the Pacific Northwest have a self-sustainability balance sheet which means we, and they, will still be able to feed ourselves and stay warm. Those states which send tourists? They will be F***ed. But we'll likely need those Green Mountain Boys again to defend our boarders against the starving hoards.

[Libtard]

I suspect that the same people who herald the approach (and secretly wish for) the fall if civilization will be the first people to cry for their momma when they can't find a Bud Light anywhere.

They might be stocked up on guns and Chef Boy-R-Dee for now. They might have a generator. But they couldn't grow a piece of food to save their life. There is too much f....n "nature" involved. There is too much work. But its ok, they got guns, ammo, K-Rats, and Skoal for now. That makes it ok. Now wheres the cooler?

[Todd]

Not here Tard boy. Its your fellow rednecks who think that a basement full of MRE's and ammo makes them safe. I know full and well that one has to be able to sustain ones self, and family, COMPLETELY independent of outside help. Individuals/family's like us - able to live completely independant if we need to, are likely less than 1% of the US population now. But a huge chunk of humanity lives that way, its an old path.

YOU are the one dependent on the system, but pointing whiner fingers.

[Joe]

The gub'ment will nationalise farms to feed city slickers so all the ranting about taking care of yourself is foolish when the new wealth will be food to be redistributed to those without food.

[Todd]

Joe wrote:

The gub'ment will nationalise farms to feed city slickers so all the ranting about taking care of yourself is foolish when the new wealth will be food to be redistributed to those without food.

The government will have NO food to feed suburban/city clones, and the clones will take up arms in their fear and starvation. The government subsidized model of "agriculture" WILL collapse under its own weight. And liberals and 'Cons alike dislike this model - but they all love dirt cheap, nutrient free, produce at Wallyworld. Its going to be a shock when they find out what food really costs!

[Libtard]

Todd wrote:

Not here Tard boy. Its your fellow rednecks who think that a basement full of MRE's and ammo makes them safe. I know full and well that one has to be able to sustain ones self, and family, COMPLETELY independent of outside help. Individuals/family's like us - able to live completely independant if we need to, are likely less than 1% of the US population now. But a huge chunk of humanity lives that way, its an old path.
YOU are the one dependent on the system, but pointing whiner fingers.

You misjudge me. I am not a redneck. I was given this name by a redneck on these forums and rather than get all bent out of shape about it, decided to wear it as a badge of honor.

[Todd]

Ah, well then. I retract my statement (or redirect it to real 'Cons) and apologize!

[Call me crazy but]

Libtard wrote:

<quoted text>
You misjudge me. I am not a redneck. I was given this name by a redneck on these forums and rather than get all bent out of shape about it, decided to wear it as a badge of honor.

So that you know, Todd holds claims to be Equine Vet and probably a host of other names.

[Todd]

Call me crazy but wrote:

<quoted text>So that you know, Todd holds claims to be Equine Vet and probably a host of other names.

So that you know, there is no "claim" about it. And the "host" of names is 2. Go whine elsewhere little boy.

[Carol]

Todd, we realize based on all your posts that you hope the government collapses because you will vindicated -- see I told you all. Now all the lower life will die and you can truly be ruler of your world. I actually hate to break this to you, no I don't but the boys with the guns will be in charge. If the government collapses as you truly hope, there will be no police to protect your self sustaining life style. Your goats, horses, sheep, and any food you have stored will go to the strongest people with the most gunpower. So, if you truly hope for the fall of the government which you appear to be advocating, I hope you are loading up with guns and ammunition to protect what is yours. Because if you don't it will be gone.

[Todd]

BS, I'm a meat eating, GUN owning liberal. Do I want America to collapse? No, I'm a dad - and I fear very much for my children. Philosophically I realize that any nation reaps what it sows, and so in the grand scheme of things a day of reckoning is inevitable and we collectively deserve it. But I love my life, and definitely fear radical change!

That being said, I read history and look at patterns. And its pretty clear you do not. "Denial ain't just a river in Egypt" as they say. Do you truly think that America will be the first nation in history to owe the world far more than it makes -- yet somehow escape the common fate?

Tell me why and how we can escape historical precedent. Tens of thousands of years of empires: Egyptian, Roman, Greek, USSR, etc ... all eventually contract. And its not like everybody dies, its just means a time of restructuring. Of course none of them have ever been as collectively lazy, fat, illiterate and heavily armed as America -- but hopefully we can still not turn on each other.

Again, please tell me: you seem to think America is immune from historical patterns. Why?

And here, not that facts matter to you (only FAITH, right?) But check these recent charts out:

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_nSTO-vZpSgc/Syxm7vU...

http://dailyreckoning.com/files/2009/12/DRUS1...

http://dailyreckoning.com/files/2009/12/DRUS1...

And, a voice of reason from a town just south of us:

www.chrismartenson.com

[Carol]

Well, it's good to see you and Glenn Beck agree.

[Todd]

I barely even know who Glen Beck is, except through 3rd party sources (i.e. I'm not TV lobotomized, don't even own one) But I've certainly read quack quotes of his on the internet like:

"When I see a 9/11 victim family on television, or whatever, I'm just like,'Oh shut up' I'm so sick of them because they're always complaining." –"The Glenn Beck Program," Sept. 9, 2005

"The only [Katrina victims] we're seeing on television are the scumbags." –"The Glenn Beck Program," Sept. 9, 2005

"I'm thinking about killing Michael Moore, and I'm wondering if I could kill him myself, or if I would need to hire somebody to do it.... No, I think I could. I think he could be looking me in the eye, you know, and I could just be choking the life out. Is this wrong? I stopped wearing my What Would Jesus -- band -- Do, and I've lost all sense of right and wrong now. I used to be able to say,'Yeah, I'd kill Michael Moore,' and then I'd see the little band: What Would Jesus Do? And then I'd realize,'Oh, you wouldn't kill Michael Moore. Or at least you wouldn't choke him to death.' And you know, well, I'm not sure." –responding to the question "What would people do for $50 million?", "The Glenn Beck Program," May 17, 2005 -- Clear Channel radio host, and good Amerikkkan Christian, Glenn Beck.

And finally, proof that he is simply an idiot. And so are is producers, writers, and handlers:

"O-L-I-G-A-R-H-Y." –misspelling "oligarchy" on his chalk board while claiming he had deciphered a secret code that he said was proof President Obama was trying to create an "Oligarhy," Aug. 27, 2009, Glenn Beck show on FOX News Channel

If you look up to this dude, you are a F***ing idiot. Period.

[Tamarac]

Essex Junction is the, "Economic Engine of Vermont" (their motto). The US is considered an "Energy Eriven Economy". disposible income must be abundant to support tourism and the arts....so where is all of this disposable income being generated? Anyone placing bets on post Christmas credit card remorse? January's hangover will be with us for many a years.

[Tamarac]

Essex Junction is the, "Economic Engine of Vermont" (their motto). The US is considered an "Energy Driven Economy". disposible income must be abundant to support tourism and the arts....so where is all of this disposable income being generated? Anyone placing bets on post Christmas credit card remorse? January's hangover will be with us for many a years.

[Mike Mulligan]

The tourist industry makes us create a idyllic image of ourselves. We got to paint a pretty picture about ourselves in order for the out of staters to spend money.

In a small state as Vermont, with such poor economic projects…the tourist industry takes over media…the whole tourist mentality descends over the state.

[Carol]

Todd
Brattleboro, VT
I barely even know who Glen Beck is, except through 3rd party sources (i.e. I'm not TV lobotomized, don't even own one) But I've certainly read quack quotes of his on the internet like:

Yes, by all means, get all your news from the internet, everything is true. As for Glenn Beck, one of his beliefs is that we owe China too much money and the government may implode due to too much debt based on his study of history. I believe you think the same thing based on your study of history. He also has the message of learning to rely on self. Isn't that your sermon? One difference, he believes the government spending and borrowing from China is the reason for the debt. You think it's people buying at Walmart. And something you won't see on HuffPo, he blames Bush as much as Obama -- guess your two minute hunt for quotes missed those posts.

[Joe]

"In 1956, he developed the metal shipping container, which replaced the traditional break bulk method of handling dry goods and revolutionized the transport of goods and cargo worldwide"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malcolm_McLean

It took a few years to catch on and over the years the imports grew and one day decades ago over took exports and kept growing. Not one president had anything to do with it, the only thing they all are guilty of is failing to react to the situation an everyone of them has fallen for the same free trade nonsense.

[Mike Mulligan]

Carol wrote:

Todd
Brattleboro, VT
I barely even know who Glen Beck is, except through 3rd party sources (i.e. I'm not TV lobotomized, don't even own one) But I've certainly read quack quotes of his on the internet like:
Yes, by all means, get all your news from the internet, everything is true. As for Glenn Beck, one of his beliefs is that we owe China too much money and the government may implode due to too much debt based on his study of history. I believe you think the same thing based on your study of history. He also has the message of learning to rely on self. Isn't that your sermon? One difference, he believes the government spending and borrowing from China is the reason for the debt. You think it's people buying at Walmart. And something you won't see on HuffPo, he blames Bush as much as Obama -- guess your two minute hunt for quotes missed those posts.

The only reason why the Chinese purchase all our debt is to support the low valve to the Chinese dollar. Make it cheap to purchase Chinese goods.
Having to much Chinese debt is a republican ruse to starve the beast...to limit democrats spending money on liberal programs.