Nat'l Park senior discount, too cheap?

This thread has gone down hill. Too many posts are political and/or flaming other members.

Thread Closed.

Sandi (Moderator)

jolooote wrote:
I am a senior, soon to be 68 years old. My opinion is that FREE is too cheap. On the other hand $25 entrance fee is too much. I'd like to see all Nat'l Pk. entrance fee set at $15 and senior discount set at 50%. The DW always calls me "CHEAP". She'll be proud of me. lol :B Whats U'r opinion?:h

Nah, just accept it as a nice little program aimed at seniors who tend to travel during off season times and may be on a fixed income. Those who want to can donate, volunteer, give a big tip, or spend more at a local business and help the economy a bit.

Dog Folks wrote:
Us old folks HAVE paid our dues.

We have? Nut's, were they tax deductible? I might have to re-file some past tax forms.

In spades, Dog Folks, in spades to be sure. I am biting my tongue so badly on this thread it is shredded! :-)

Us old folks HAVE paid our dues.

Probably the vast majority of "rich old folks" (not sure how that is defined) are not caring about discounts.

Boy, this is getting testy.

travelnutz wrote:
"valhalla360" just has to learn that he has to/must PAY his dues for as long as us rich or poor old geezers have and then he too may get the discounts also.

However, not if he doesn't pay his dues until then to keep the parks in good shape as most would be closed or sold off!

The typical NOW NOW NOW and give it to me free still wet behind the ears generation just showing their immature age...

You have it backwards. I'm not saying the young should get a free pass. I'm pointing out the poor logic of giving rich old folks a free pass when poor young folks don't get one (GI benefits are a different scenario where they negotiated their years service for benefits when they get out).

What I propose is to start with a system where everyone pays then if you want to consider a needs based system for discounts we could discuss what would be an appropriately fair method.

By itself this isn't a major issue but it is systematic of our current political dilemma. As our population becomes top heavy with senior citizens who believe they "paid their dues", they demand more free stuff. Since they are large in number and they have lots of time to vote, politicians are hesitant to deny these demands.

Dog Folks wrote:

valhalla360 wrote:

Dog Folks wrote:

valhalla360 wrote:

Dutch_12078 wrote:

valhalla360 wrote:


The "I pay taxes" doesn't hold up. I'm in my 40's and I pay taxes also.

Keep on paying them then, until you catch up and earn your old age perks. I started paying income and other taxes around 15 years before you were born... :W

Whats the total dollar amount you paid so I know when I'm caught up and should be entitled the freebee?

Again, if they want it income based, I could buy it as the parks should be available to all citizens but to price poor young families out so we can give a discount to rich old folks makes no sense.

Excuse me! Not all us "old folks" are rich.

If we were we wouldn't care about the discount.

You may want to re-read. I'm OK with a low income discount.

But being old in no way implies you are automatically poor. Nor does being young automatically imply you have money.

I have reread your post, especially where you said: "....so we can give a discount to rich old folks makes no sense."

How did I go wrong in that statement?

You got it wrong because I said it MAKES NO SENSE to give rich old folks a discount and you came back talking about poor old folks.

bluie5 wrote:
I'm a retired LEO and would rather still be working but, I was shot in the line of duty and forced to retire due to my now being disabled. I think I earned my ATB Access Pass even though my disability doesn't always show. I feel fortunate to still be able to travel to national parks and monuments with my family and someday grandchildren.

Thank you for walking the thin blue line between civilization and chaos.

I'm a retired LEO and would rather still be working but, I was shot in the line of duty and forced to retire due to my now being disabled. I think I earned my ATB Access Pass even though my disability doesn't always show. I feel fortunate to still be able to travel to national parks and monuments with my family and someday grandchildren.