Animals Inundate Legislature To Defend Tourism

Was it really necessary to have those poor animals go through additional trauma so you could make a point? Next use pictures…

An economy is built on things that improve productivity.

Tourism is just preying on consumerism -- an unabashed materialism to accumulate things (or experiences) which do not contribute to you spending less in the future.

Let's figure out how to cut our electric rates, reduce our taxes, and attract businesses that actually produce things again. THATS how you fix the economy, and the tourism boat will float up with that tide of having people working in good paying jobs.

While I agree that tourism is very low on the CT economic totem pole, the idea that tourism has to be "consumerism and unabashed materialism" is absurd.

While the promoters of this article don't want to hear it, there are a million things to do here that cost no more than perhaps the gas it takes to get there.

You'd be amazed if you just start experiencing all that CT has to offer. for free.

Tourism dollars are vital for our state. Out of the many things we pay for, private cars for state employees; lifetime medical benefits; rich pensions; DCF, prisons and the like, I see a lot of things that can be cut without taking it away from a revenue driver like Tourism. By the way, Matt from CT - the entire ecnomy is based on consumerism in one form or fashion. We all buy something from somebody. The Mystic Aquarium employs the local plumber, HVAC guy and garbage collector; it draws people to Mystic who stay in a hotel, eat in a restaurant. Those are all CT employees there. When new construction or refurbishing happens, they hire local carpenters, plumbers and electricians...Go Tourism. Cut the real waste in state government. Freeze pay; cut the cars; freeze and lower benefits; cut employees; get rid of 155 or the 169 school boards and all that bloated education spending; cut the billion to University System that was approved last year and cut all the increases in programs that have been approved in the last 5 years. There. Now you have no more deficit.

"You'd be amazed if you just start experiencing all that CT has to offer. for free."

Since when have Mystic and Beardsley been free?

How much did it cost to bring the animals in today? Could that $ have been better spent?

Matt from CT wrote:

An economy is built on things that improve productivity.
Tourism is just preying on consumerism -- an unabashed materialism to accumulate things (or experiences) which do not contribute to you spending less in the future.
Let's figure out how to cut our electric rates, reduce our taxes, and attract businesses that actually produce things again. THATS how you fix the economy, and the tourism boat will float up with that tide of having people working in good paying jobs.

Tourism is important to Ct. We may not be a tropic island getaway, but with the economy in the tank, gas prices down and people looking to spend less, Ct. could see a boost. I live in Manhattan and have not been on a real vacation in 2 years, but am constantly coming to Ct. with my wife for 2 day getaways. We spent 2 days in Essex and 2 days in New Haven just in the past 6 months. We bought things, stayed in hotels, had meals and paid for entertainment.

To the guy who is complaining about tourism as consumerism and materialistic accumulation... please!! That is pathetic! I may not be wealthy financially, but enjoying life and being rich in culture is important to me.

Now when Edith Prague's dog shits on the Chamber floor she can blame it on the penguin.

... and so continues the endless parade of folks streaming in and begging for their own "pet spending" item not to be cut.

It simply has to STOP.

Why is it so hard for people to figure out that, in a recession, the state cannot afford to spend on every pet project the way it used to? CT's taxpayers are NOT a bottomless well of money which every constituency is entitled to dip into, as much as it wishes. There is a limit to what the state can spend, and that limit has been reached.

If tourism is so vital to CT, then these outfits can put together a non-profit foundation devoted to promoting tourism, raise funds from willing donors, and promote to their hearts' content. There is absolutely NOTHING that can stop them from doing so, if they wish to, and if their cause is so noble. They DO NOT, in fact, NEED tax dollars -- and ONLY tax dollars -- to promote tourism.

Enough already of these people plundering the wallets of taxpayers, especially at a time when taxpayers are having a hard time making ends meet.

Another dog and pony show in Hartford.

We are broke-

"Since when have Mystic and Beardsley been free?"

That's not what I said. I said there are a ton of OTHER things that ARE free. Ironicially, Beardsley and Mystic Aq are two of the most overpriced attractions in the state. And yet, I"ve gone to both for free through the NuRide program which saves me money to even participate in.

All you have to do is seek this stuff out.

(And you conveniently didn't mention the Audubon Society's presence at the event - they have almost 10 locations around the state and guess what? They're free, though donations accepted of course.)

A penguin, how cute, I'll remember to bring a snake or my white Siberian Husky with blue eyes.