Minnesota grandma tells panel to make fishing free for elders

An effort to make fishing free for the oldest anglers is getting a push from a 91-year-old grandmother with some formidable fish tales.

[crunch]

Hell, make it 80 and over. The senate spills that much in coffee during one session.

[Natasha Badanaff]

Most of the seniors I know, own their own homes, have plenty of scratch in the bank. They can spend the $17.

[Travis Roste]

why is everything have to be free? you cant tell me these blue hairs dont have 17 bucks. they pump in more than 17 bucks per 5 minutes at the casinos! Everybody wants their group to get stuff for free. What about someone 89 years old? tought luck? pay your fair share people and grow up! pun intended!

[Christine]

crunch wrote:

Hell, make it 80 and over. The senate spills that much in coffee during one session.

While I agree that the senate most likely does spill that much, if not more, in coffee in a session, I think the age should be lower than 80. Make it 70. Most people that age and over are retired and on fixed incomes, and should be able to enjoy these simple pleasures. The current rate of $17 for a license may not seem like much, but to a person on a fixed income, this can mean a couple of days worth of meals. I say not only should the license be free, but they should also consider providing some transportation to selected fishing spots. Hell, make it a whole program for seniors, so they can enjoy a peaceful, safe outing, connect with others with a similar interest, and perhaps even trade some "shoulda seen the one that got away tales." We're the Land of 10,000 Lakes here in Minnesota, there's one nearby everywhere, surely it can't cost that much to make an elderly person's day a little happier.

[Lame]

This should not be about age, but rather financial means. What this is really about is poor people wanting not to pay TAXES for their participation.

I know lots and lots of very well to do old people. And lots and lots of not so well to do young people. And vice versa. That means we can not accept the arguement this has to do with age. Age is the red herring and specific to this woman, but it is not on POINT. It is about a poor woman who also happens to be old, looking for a hand out. It is what it is and it is wrong!

[Paid my fair share]

Bring back free fishing for all senior citizens. Buying a fishing license every year since age 16 is more than enough fair share. Where is AARP? They should be helping us. I bought a license again last year, but health is not so good any more, so only got on the water 3 times. I am not plopping down 17 bucks again for that amount of fishing, so Minnesota is not getting my 17 bucks this year or ever again. As for Travis's comment about casinos, I have never been in a casino in my lifetime, and never will. If I have a spare dollar, I give it to the salvation army, united way or red cross to help those in need. Now I will have another 17 dollars to give them.

[Christine]

Although I expected the "clueless" judging and the "nuts" judging,(although I truthfully don't understand the "spam" judging) I still can't feel somewhat disappointed for having got them. You people just don't get it do you? You will also someday be elderly, oh Deluded Ones,you will be a senior citizen, you will be OLD. I hope for you sakes that when you do get there, the younger generation is much kinder to you than you are to seniors now.

[RJC]

Let's see... I grew up learning that there are choices.

There are WANTS and there are NEEDS...

With the situation we are in today... this is a WANT, and the WANTS need to be cut to cover the NEEDS

[Interested Reader]

If they can support the Indian Casinos they can buy everything else they want.

[slickleg]

This really "DEPENDS" on things

[Charity]

Christine wrote:

Although I expected the "clueless" judging and the "nuts" judging,(although I truthfully don't understand the "spam" judging) I still can't feel somewhat disappointed for having got them. You people just don't get it do you? You will also someday be elderly, oh Deluded Ones,you will be a senior citizen, you will be OLD. I hope for you sakes that when you do get there, the younger generation is much kinder to you than you are to seniors now.

Why does this have to be a government thing? What about all the outdoors people who pushed through the higher sales tax we all have to pay now. Can't they band together and donate money for fishing licenses? Why does everything have to be a forced handout?

[Lame]

Christine wrote:

Although I expected the "clueless" judging and the "nuts" judging,(although I truthfully don't understand the "spam" judging) I still can't feel somewhat disappointed for having got them. You people just don't get it do you? You will also someday be elderly, oh Deluded Ones,you will be a senior citizen, you will be OLD. I hope for you sakes that when you do get there, the younger generation is much kinder to you than you are to seniors now.

While, yes I will too be old one day I will pay my obligated share of this tax at that time to participate and I will not demand a handout. If I can not afford it, I will not do it. God your train of thought is just so wrong...

[crunch]

Charity wrote:

<quoted text>
Why does this have to be a government thing? What about all the outdoors people who pushed through the higher sales tax we all have to pay now. Can't they band together and donate money for fishing licenses? Why does everything have to be a forced handout?

Minnesota is unveiling a new walleye stamp (completely voluntary purchase), if they produce a "crappie stamp" where the procedes go toward the purchase of a license for the elderly I wold hop on that one first. Now if they just don't speand any extra revenue for sprucing up Loring Park.......

[DillHole]

i say letem eat cake,why not,if your lucky enough to make it to that age I say give it up for them

[Go_Ponies]

I agree with the Wants and Needs post(s). Fork over the $17 and worry about more important things. What next - seniors should get discounted (or free) fishing tackle? Are they just trying to have more money for the casinos?

[Butt Whacker]

seniors should stick to going to the casinos and bus tours

[Al Linder Babe Winkleman]

free,arse,gas,or grass,nobody rides for free

[Brown Eye]

give a man that fillet o'fish,give a man that fish,what if it were you hanging up on this wall,what if it were you in that bun,you wouldn't be laughing at all..........ooooooooooooooooo ooooooooooo

[Vikings Fan]

Are you kidding? The Democrats controlling the Minnesota House and Senate will never go for the loss of that fishing tax/license revenue! Go Vikings!

[BEEF JERKY]

Who cares