So, we're in a recession. Millions of people are laid off, can't find a job, are burdened with enormous health care bills and have had their homes taken away from them. The recovery plan & bailout were signed off on, the moneys dispatched to the states and our hard-earned tax payer money was given to the banks. Have we seen any of it "trickle down" to us? No. In fact, many states' budgets are in such shambles they are being forced to make budget cuts on some of our basic recreational pleasures: parks and zoos.
California is proposing to close 220 of their gorgeous State Parks, which would effect 80% of their nature reserves, historic sites and would restrict 30% of the state's coastline. Oregon, Illinois, New York and Tennesee are also considering this. The Franklin Park Zoo in Boston is considering closing the zoo, even uttering the horrific idea of euthanizing 20% of the zoo animals they'd unlikely be able to find homes for. What is going ON?
If all of us have to make personal cut-backs, not to mention Animals giving their lives, what has happened to us as a nation? Is it OK to kill animals because there's no where else to put them? What is there left to do this summer for families across the nation but to enjoy FREE recreation the states have to offer. Are these politicians so greedy and politically motivated that all they can think of for budget cuts are to close our recreational enjoyments? Why are they choosing THAT as a place to save money. Why isn't our tax payer money going to those things first, rather than to Citibank and AIG? What will we have left? It is becoming clearer by the day that they simply don't care about us–The People–and it's quite disheartening.
President Obama claims to be for us, and to some degree he has been. He has done some good things for this country so far, or is at least trying, but he is only one man. Congress is clogged with debate and personal ambition. It takes 50 cooks to run this kitchen and it's not working. Too many people. Too much greed.
What can we do? Call your governors, senators and congress people. Sign petitions. Email them. Protest these bad decisions. Maybe someone will hear us.
READ MORE about closing California and other State Parks
READ MORE about closing Boston Zoo
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