New rates for National Parks.

TurnThePage wrote:
I think you are overlooking a very large segment of society in your snide retort.

It is almost a certainty that there are absolutely no people who are changing or cancelling their vacation plans because the cost to enter Yellowstone or Yosemite National Park has increased $5.00. That is just a preposterous notion to consider. And even if there were such people, the government offers a very good alternative, which is they can visit the park of their choice on one of the free admission weekends throughout the year.
You apparently have a very dim view of the current conditions people are encountering in the USofA. The fact is the unemployment rate is hovering around lowest percentage it has ever been. Median household income is over $59,000 per year, which is also the highest ever reported. Goods and services are readily available, no Venezuelan shortages here.
People who are struggling are likely struggling more do to their own personal choices, both past and present, than they are because of some flaw in the US and it's economy. That position is amply supported by economic data rather than two people standing around griping about their lot in life and wishing for a return of the "good ole days", which when viewed objectively, weren't all that good.

I have a pass, and I donate to the parks when I'm there.

Just a another "fun" tax like is applied to many other things.

$80 is for the annual pass. I buy this if I plan on seeing several national parks during the year, because that covers entrance for all of them, and for everybody in the vehicle. I see people planning trips to the West including Yosemite, Sequoia / Kings Canyon, Death Valley, Zion, Bryce, and the Grand Canyon. The annual pass is a no-brainer in that case.

If I am just seeing one National Park in a particular year, I don't buy the pass. Why would I? I just pay the entrance fee. I'm pretty sure most other people can figure that math out.

For the majority of people, vacations are planned and budgeted for. Entrance fees, camping fees, food, fuel, and souvenirs are all part of that budget.

kerrlakeRoo wrote:

What needs to happen at this point is to go back to some historical averages of what percentage of funding goes for what purposes. And it has to be a long term average, not a 4-8 year period.

Totally agree. We should also go back to some historical averages of taxation.

I think you are overlooking a very large segment of society in your snide retort.

TurnThePage wrote:
What private park compares to Yosemite? Disney Land is not the same as Yellow Stone. And I do believe $80 will price a park out of a lot of peoples range. Many young families will be out of luck. Just because you can absorb that fee doesn't make it right.

That $80 is for either a one year pass for those under 65 or a lifetime pass for those over 65. One pass will get your entire group withing your vehicle into the park.
7 day fees for Yosemite and Yellowstone are both $30.00, that is up from $25.00 last year. For a family of four, that would work out to an 18 cent per person, per day increase, making the total cost of park admission a cumbersome $1.07 per day. You are right, that is huge financial burden on those young families making the two day trip to Yellowstone in their $50,000 SUV while staying in a $300.00 a night hotel room. Dad may even have to skip his Double shot expresso one morning. Sell your Starbucks shares, I can see a huge increase in bankruptcies ahead.

What private park compares to Yosemite? Disney Land is not the same as Yellow Stone. And I do believe $80 will price a park out of a lot of peoples range. Many young families will be out of luck. Just because you can absorb that fee doesn't make it right.

The park fee is such a small percentage of my camping budget that I actually welcome the increase. I'd pay slightly more for a well maintained park.

Could this be why private parks are so popular?

I agree 100%. Why should the users of a government provided service or amenity be expected to pay anything for that service. The costs of everything should be paid for by someone other than me. Tax the living crud out of everyone who makes more money than me and give me every service for free. That is a tax system I can really support.
There is no need for oil production, timber harvesting and mineral extraction. The idiots that run the government can just go buy their gas at the gas station like the rest of us. Who would think it makes sense to dig up the ground to get copper ore to make pipes when you can just go to Home Depot and buy pipes off the shelf? Same with cutting down trees to make lumber, the shelves at Home Depot are full boards and there is not a cut down tree in sight.
And while we are at it, farming should be forbidden as well. It is not necessary to grow and then kill cows, pigs, chickens and all the other farm animals. There is plenty of meat at the butcher counter at the local supermarket. A whole lot of problems would just go away if people would use common sense.