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Fireworks show unfit in time of recession
Sunday, Dec. 28, 2008 | 2 a.m.
As I write this I am absolutely livid. Why? In this time of economic hardship — people losing their jobs, homes being foreclosed, businesses closing and education shortages — Las Vegas is planning to spend thousands of dollars on a fireworks display on New Year’s. These are dollars that could alleviate our economic problems.
In no way could all of our problems be solved if this display were not to take place, but it would help. Why blow up money? That is exactly what happens with these displays. Governments could find better uses for their money, and they would not have to look hard to find them.
There are the proponents, who will say, “It takes money to make money” and argue that without the fireworks, people would not come to Las Vegas for New Year’s. To this, I say, bull. Those who come do not do so only to see a fireworks display. They come to get drunk, have hangovers and make fools of themselves.
Even as a child I did not enjoy fireworks. It is the conservative in me. I would always ask myself, “Why are they wasting all of this money?”
So, as you watch this display, with each new explosion just think of your neighbor losing his job, your friend’s home in foreclosure, your in-laws closing their business, your child’s education being compromised.
Enjoy! I won’t be watching!
Discussion: 21 comments so far…
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Uhhhhhh.....this is a tourist town. It is a big part of the tourist experience on New Year Eve to flood the strip and watch the shows.
If the shows were killed then I am sure that would hurt next year's number of tourist that would contribute more to layoffs.
Sorry Glen, but you're the Scrooge. When a consumer based economy decides not to consume the effects are chilling.
The money spent on fireworks goes to companies that pay employees. Employees also get paid to run the show. The fireworks money stimulates the economy. And as others have pointed out, the show brings in tourists who spend more money. Just because you don't enjoy fireworks doesn't mean the show is a waste of money.
This is a silly argument. Lots of people are put to work by the spectacle; police, bartenders, fireworks technicians, extra strippers, etc. I'm pretty sure that the relative return on each individual firework far exceeds the cost of said firework.
Fireworks are a waste of money.
The pollution they cause is enormous, heavy metals, and gases which eventually fall to ground polluting the land and ground waters.
As we all know, perhaps all of the fireworks that are made, are made in China, thereby profiting the factory owners, who run the factories like slave camps, people working under extremely poor and dangerous conditions, where 1000s are killed every year. The only people to profit are the factory owners and the importers who import at very low cost and price up the fireworks. Then there is the trauma caused to all animals, and people with poor hearing.
Most of you who agree with fireworks are not thinking about this, just as long as the fireworks look nice.
You're a mean one...Mr. Grinch.
Our society is rapidly spinning out of control and all "uddeboda" can think about is some extreme leftist swill........
We need the fireworks like Vegas needs the tourist dollar.
By the way, have a drink and lighten up. It's the american way on New Years!!
Comment removed by staff.
No bucks, no Buck Rogers! Bring on the fireworks!!!
One need only imagine what it would say about our town for Las Vegas to cancel News Years Eve fireworks. Talk about a marketing disaster!
Tone down? Sure. Cancel? You must be joking!
While I understand what everyone is saying about 'needing' the fireworks for the tourist trade I also can see where Udda is coming from and I agree that most of the 'junk' is made in China so how bout we do something about getting more stuff made here in America - if it cost a little more SO WHAT - think of the Americans who would be working - oh, and the next time you are in a hurry and decide to use the 'self-check out' lanes at walmart - think about the cashiers who are put out of work and also think about doing their job for FREE and making more money for the company - that is, unless they've started offering discounts to the consumer for being their own cashier/bagger now - uh, didn't think so.......
Fireworks and Las Vegas go together. The original letter-writer (Fireworks show unfit in time of recession) apparently does not understand this relationship. It may very well be that $1 in fireworks generates several hundred dollars in tourist money which turns into local jobs and etc. To the letter writer: you are not 'conservative', you're just un-educated.
Comment removed by staff.
Glen has never enjoyed fireworks - so NOBODY should.
Glen...
You obviously have no idea of why this town exists. This town makes money on ONE thing. That is TOURISM.
We'd actually LOSE more money NEXT year by not having the fireworks THIS year. If people from Indiana come here and DON'T see fireworks...they won't come back NEXT year.
Maybe if we would have spent MORE money LAST year on fireworks instead of chasing a pro sports team ( monorail part 2 ) we'd have more people coming to town THIS year.
EXPLOSIONS RULE!
Let's just implode the Imperial Palace instead. Then everyone is happy!
I come to Vegas to have fun and spend money, as do 45 million others each year.
I also come from a state that has income taxes, of which residents of your state do not pay.
I also get taxed to the hill when I visit your County. For example almost 40% on a rental car. That money goes somewhere. And I'm ok with that.
Now grant it I stay away from Vegas on New Years Eve, but if fireworks are a perk for others I think it is well spent. Just like the money spent on perks I enjoy every time I visit. Perks make the city run.
Here's the facts ....... The fireworks shows are usually produced by one of the American Fireworks company's. They make their own fireworks for displays. While I can't say that every fireworks shot on New Years eve will be made in America the majority will be. Your Liberal European opinion Uddeboda, is wrong. Mind your own business and be gravely concerned about European issues...because you're much further down the slide than we are.
As a VISITOR, the investment is WORTH IT. Think of each firework exploding as a job being kept and the local economy being kept alive.
The Author forgets that Las Vegas and Nevada is DEPENDENT on US, TOURISTS, we pay YOUR taxes, your economic base,which creates everything for a economy for 2 Million people to live there. Otherwise there would be NOTHING.
The City is wise to invest in this basic support.
LV Tom,
As long as I am allowed to post comments on this site, then I shall do so, whether you like it or not. Firework displays maybe be put together by Americans, but the basic fireworks are made in China.
So stuff you.
Fireworks are an expression of the freedom and thankfulness that we Americans can all share on New Years Eve and on Fourth of July with our visitors that come from all over the globe to Las Vegas, the entertainment capitol of the world. Our visitors add to our economy with each visit to Las Vegas, and should be shown the warmest hospitality, which will bring them back year after year. Our fireworks are one of the reasons visitors come to Las Vegas and should be as spectacular as our Bellagio fountains to make Las Vegas the city that visitors consider for their first choice for a get away, vacation, wedding, or any special event. Las Vegas should be the first city that U.S. news channels want to film or that people want to tune into to welcome in the New Year or to celebrate our countries freedom. Viva Las Vegas!