Mt. Rushmore Is open

[SDcampowneroper]

Mt Rushmore is open. SD Governor Daugaard has pledged to pay federal costs to reopen the monument.

[Dog_Folks]

shakyjay wrote:

fickman wrote:
I don't want a political debate, though. It is sad that the residents of the states are essentially being double taxed for these parks to reopen. . . triple charged if they show up and pay fees to get in.

Most if not all of the states in question have been receiving more in Federal funds than what they pay back in. Not saying that makes the situation right. Just putting a little different perspective out there.

I believe you say about the states getting more than they put in.

That brings up the question of what states are getting LESS than they put in? Sounds like they are getting the short end of the stick!

[shakyjay]

fickman wrote:
I don't want a political debate, though. It is sad that the residents of the states are essentially being double taxed for these parks to reopen. . . triple charged if they show up and pay fees to get in.

Most if not all of the states in question have been receiving more in Federal funds than what they pay back in. Not saying that makes the situation right. Just putting a little different perspective out there.

[fickman]

It's pretty easy for me:
- The Constitution says exactly what the Federal government is allowed to do
- It reserves everything not listed for the states and the people
- It never mentions national parks

I understand the pragmatic consideration for wanting the Feds to own it, but the philosophical case isn't there.

I don't want a political debate, though. It is sad that the residents of the states are essentially being double taxed for these parks to reopen. . . triple charged if they show up and pay fees to get in.

[earlvillestu]

The Western public lands belonged to the federal government before the states existed. Just sayin'.

[tkcas01]

brirene wrote:

kfp673 wrote:

fickman wrote:

nevadanick wrote:
They should belong to the states anyway.

Agree.

Totally disagree! All it would take is for one really over the top crazy state politician to win a vote and they could destroy some of these monuments without the rest of us having any say.

X2. Too much temptation to use the resources for the benefit of the state without consideration of the country.

I agree with disagreeing, but did not want to start a political argument. While not a national monument, here is a case in point:

http://www.invw.org/article/benton-harbor-michigan-1280

[Jim_Shoe]

Mt. Rushmore is a special case. The parking facility was built and is owned by private citizens, so they don't answer to the Feds. Mt. Rushmore itself, is NP property, but it isn't like it needs daily attention. They could close the restaurant and close the entrance at night because of the lighting ceremony. They're both Federal, but the heads don't move and frankly, they're easily visible from outside the NP property.

[brirene]

kfp673 wrote:

fickman wrote:

nevadanick wrote:
They should belong to the states anyway.

Agree.

Totally disagree! All it would take is for one really over the top crazy state politician to win a vote and they could destroy some of these monuments without the rest of us having any say. With that said, I do feel the states should have more say in the matter. For example, Washington should not be deciding if ATV's should be legal in a national forrest in Oregon. They have no clue

X2. Too much temptation to use the resources for the benefit of the state without consideration of the country. Even now, these states are finding the money, in tight budgets, to reopen these closed facilities. Why? Not for the benefit of the guy who wants to visit from across the country, but for the benefit of the state's citizens. Not that there is anything wrong with that, in this situation. In fact, its admirable. But if the state owned and operated those parks independently? It becomes "we'll manage it to our benefit, no matter what tourists from 3 states away want". One only has to look to wildlife management in the northern Rockies for examples.

[kfp673]

fickman wrote:

nevadanick wrote:
They should belong to the states anyway.

Agree.

Totally disagree! All it would take is for one really over the top crazy state politician to win a vote and they could destroy some of these monuments without the rest of us having any say. With that said, I do feel the states should have more say in the matter. For example, Washington should not be deciding if ATV's should be legal in a national forrest in Oregon. They have no clue

[Dog_Folks]

SDcampowneroperator wrote:
Mt Rushmore is open. SD Governor Daugaard has pledged to pay federal costs to reopen the monument.

HLN is reporting this morning that it will be open for a week or so, due to limited state funds.

Other news sources state that the Florida governor will NOT use state funds to reopen. He feels that the taxpayers of Florida should not support the bickering in Washington.

There are valid points on both sides of the argument.

[fickman]

nevadanick wrote:
They should belong to the states anyway.

Agree.

[applegater]

You could add National forests to that list as well!

[korbe]

monkey44 wrote:
............- these parks are national treasures, and belong to all of us.

Really doesn't feel that way with all the closures.

[bob_nestor]

monkey44 wrote:

nevadanick wrote:
They should belong to the states anyway.

Never, ever belong to the states - these parks are national treasures, and belong to all of us.

You appear to be from the North East. Wonder if you'd feel the same way if 80% or more of your home state was "owned" and controlled by the Federal Government as it is with most of the western states. I agree with the original poster, the parks should be owned and run by the states, not the Feds.

[monkey44]

nevadanick wrote:
They should belong to the states anyway.

Never, ever belong to the states - these parks are national treasures, and belong to all of us.