Natl Park Service Closed Due to Govt Slimdown
Image: KenLeland@Twitter
This morning while watching the House Oversight Hearing on Natural Resources Chaired by Rep Doc Hastings (R-WA) one heard lots of talk and speechifying by some Members’ that it seemed, wanted to appear that they had something important to say but the one question that wasn’t asked of Jonathan Jarvis, Director of the Natl Park Service, maybe was the most important that would have cut to the chase.
Why is it that we even have a National Park Service?
Now this may seem silly to ask but would seem to be vitally important given our nearly $17 Trillion national debt which has more than doubled during Obama’s Watch to $123,000 per working American worker.
The Natl Park Service founded in 1916 today manages some 400 parks and monuments in all 50 states and territories at a cost to taxpayers of more than $2.8 Billion at a time when we do not have the money to continue to fund this non-essential government service. Maybe it would be better today, given our economic budgetary shortfall, that federal land and monuments be left up to the individual states, private companies or charities (as the case may be) to manage and maintain?
Not only would this prevent future closures of our spectacular landmarks but would put an end to all of the silliness by future administration’s and the Park Service, from closing and erecting barricades that prevent Americans and foreign visitors from visiting our national historic treasures.
Related: Reforming Federal Land Management –CATO