Color me as stunned as anyone that an avowed "business-first capitalist" like Paul Ryan (R-Wisconsin) would include the termination of Brand USA in his next gen budget. I mean, honestly...how does a generally accepted "smart guy" not understand the math?
And, the contention that government shouldn't be involved in things that aren't "core" to its mission? When the hell has that stopped government from being engaged in every facet of our life.
I know, I know...different party.
Here's the deal. This plays two ways:
1) He really has gone to the dark side in the name of partisan politics.
2) It's merely a bargaining chip. He knows (and expects) that this will be saved in the ultimate negotiations over the budget.
Call me Pollyanna...but I'm going with door number two. Which also suggests two different thoughts:
1) Tourism is still not respected enough as an industry not to be used as a pawn in a greater chess game.
2) This is the opportunity for our industry (all the industry) to step up and demand that this country's leadership stop playing games with one of the most important industries and exports we have going for us.
This is the call to action. Will we answer?
Sounds like we haven't done a very good job preaching the benefits of tourism. We cannot allow other industries, other movements, other politics jump ahead of us. Time for a letter writing campaign to Ryan and other politicians to demand our respect and show them the benefits. They need reminding ALL THE TIME! We can't stand and talk about it. The time to make change is NOW. Let's all write and take our position and move tourism to the forefront. We can no longer preach to the choir and we must be heard.
Posted by: Jeffrey Mills | April 07, 2014 at 10:07
True 'dat, my friend.
Posted by: Bill Geist | April 07, 2014 at 11:05