Forest Service shoots down fee hike for seniors

[cyberpapa]

Some time ago there was a thread that the 50% camping discount for those 62 and over was perhaps going to change. Just read that things will remain as they have been since the 1960's with older folks and the disabled continuing to get half off. I have mixed feelings about this one since the old folks in huge motor homes are camping for less than the tent camping family across the way. It would be fine with me, although I will qualify for the discount in Feb., if instead of charging seniors $10 and other folks $20 to charge everybody $15. The proposed change would not have done that and would probably only have benefited the concessionaires who are now operating "for profit" campgrounds in our National Forests. Thought there might be some interest in this development. Cal

[Richard]

I get the discount and I use it but I feel the same way. I would much rather see the discount go to a family with young children. I don't need it now but I did when I was raising a family.

[Gink]

Agreed! Don't see many young families in 30 foot RVs going down the road -- mostly greyed hair people like us (or should I say "me") driving those rigs.

Tangent: For years we have been told that with the passing of the baby boomers we'd see the biggest generational transfer of money ever to be seen -- sadly in a great reversal of events it seems it will be the young kids today and their kids who will be supporting the baby boomers and shouldering the debt we leave behind. It is our youth to which we should be extending a courtesy.

[Jim Krueger]

I think there have been some good comments thus far. However, after a life of hard work , sacrifice, and dedication, (raising those nice young families), I think our elders should continue to deserve this consideration.

Best Regards
Jim Moose

[okieboater]

Like Jim, I think most of us old timers have paid the price and deserve a bit of a break on federal camping fees.

I worked and paid my taxes on time each year all my life. Watched and continue to see local, state and especially federal government bureaucrats waste tax money I worked hard to pay on boondogles and payoffs.

I am an active voter but something happens to good men and women soon as they hit Washington DC.

During my personal family raising times I did not do much vacation wise due to not having much extra money.

Most anything run by the federales is kind of like social security. If the politico's had taken all the money I sent to DC and done any kind of investment on my behalf, I would have been rich instead of getting SS money from the current generation of workers. This social security ponzi scheme would have people in jail in any other organization but the Congress of the US.

I do not have a big RV, just a pickup truck shell and tent. I enjoy camping as a means to do other outdoor activities. The way Congress and the Current and Previous Adminstrations are spending money on boondogles and programs that just do not work all the while borrowing from China and the Saudis, the value of the money I have saved and depend on continues to loose value and I expect it to loose value big time over the next few years. Very few of us retiree types have the disposable income or purchasing power now that we had when we retired.

There is a message here for those younger folks still working for retirement.

So, long as I can get a 50 percent discount for camping on public land I helped pay for via taxes, I am going to use it and enjoy same as much as I can. By the way most federal land camping used to be free or very low cost now it is around 16 dollars a night or more.

It is my hope and prayer that the younger generation of workers and voters will do a much better job of leadership and management of government than my generation has.

I am ashamed to say that the good things my Dad's generation gave us after WWII has been wasted for the most part. I hope the current batch of young folks do a better job than we have keeping government honest.

[DMG]

I say let the old timers keep the discount. They've earned it! For the yougest families, not having money for vacationing is not the constraint it used to be as long as there's a way to pay by credit card. As for me, approaching the existentially troubling milestone of 40, I've learned the folly of that lifestyle. It'd be nice to be able to swipe my debit card at the park entrance, though!

~Dave

[Gink]

Goes to show that once you give away an entitlement it's tough to take it away. Sadly our generation -- baby boomers -- have handed out entitlements way beyond our ability to pay. It's not our tax dollars that keep our national parks open -- it's deficit spending, borrowing and printing more money. I say we all pay our fair share and stop putting these expenses on our children. And if that means I have to pay a little more to camp in our national parks so be it -- but to think that one is entitled to such priviledges simply because they have been a life long taxpayer doesn't cut it with me. Our country can't afford to continue to subsidize ever aspect of life -- even recreation -- through deficit spending.

[prophet]

you cant have have your oatmal with metamucil and eat it too

[panicman]

I think the young families need the discount more than the old geezers. Why not help these young families get out in the outdoors more. Help keep these kids away from the video games and tv.

[Gink]

I like the way you think PanicMan!! Indeed if we don't make our great outdoors more accessible to families and young children -- in another generation there won't be a need for campgrounds or national parks.