More on what the Obama administration chooses to shutdown
Posted By RichC on October 6, 2013
In a previous post, I commented on the Obama administration choosing to shutdown U.S. memorials and parks in what many perceived as unnecessary. It is obviously that it is purely politics when it requires more federal workers and costs more to close sites like the World War II Memorial and the Lincoln Memorial (never closed in previous government shutdowns -below) than permitting access. Turning the public away from “even viewing” Mt. Rushmore is ridiculous, but even worst seeing government golf courses open.
Anyone who can’t see that the shutdown is little more than theater simply isn’t paying attention. If the above examples aren’t enough for you then look no further than to President Obama’s favorite golf course, which remains open. President Obama frequents Andrew’s Air Force Base Golf Course, which boasts three 18-hole courses. It is located on prime Washington D.C. property.
According to the PGA the US government spends an average of $384,000 – $1,000,000 per year on every golf course it owns. The federal government operates some 234 golf courses around the world. Combined, that’s a total of about $140 million per year on golf courses.
The course remains open. Officials cite that the course receives payments from private individuals on snacks and course fees, but it is clear that the courses still run on tax payer dollars. Many federal golf courses are also national parks, such as Yosemite National Park Golf Course.
Even so, how is that any different than the privately owned Mt. Vernon, or the WWII memorial, which has zero staff or operational costs. How is it different than the privately funded Air Force, Navy athletics departments? Why block people from taking pictures of a rock more than a mile away from the actual entrance?
PAST FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWNS
1976
Thursday, Sept 30 10 Monday, Oct 111977
Friday, Sept 30 12 Thursday, Oct 13
Monday, Oct 31 8 Wednesday, Nov 9
Wednesday, Nov 30 8 Friday, Dec 91978
Saturday, Sept 30 17 Wednesday, Oct 181979
Sunday, Sept 30 11 Friday, Oct 121981
Friday, Nov 20 2 Monday, Nov 231982
Thursday, Sept 30 1 Saturday, Oct 2
Friday, Dec 17 3 Tuesday, Dec 211983
Thursday, Nov 10 3 Monday, Nov 141984
Sunday, Sept 30 2 Wednesday, Oct 3
Wednesday, Oct 3 1 Friday, Oct 51986
Thursday, Oct 16 1 Saturday, Oct 181987
Friday, Dec 18 1 Sunday, Dec 201990
Friday, Oct 5 3 Tuesday, Oct 91995
Monday, Nov 13 5 Sunday, Nov 19
Friday, Dec 15 21 Saturday, Jan 6, 1996
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