I just read where Disney World is increasing the price of a day pass. Admittedly it may not be a big increase. I really don’t know. I once won a 3 day stay there, which included flying down, and back, with a room and continental breakfast. I told them to give it to someone who would go. It would take about a $million to get to Florida. Well I might go for $100,000.oo. I was there once. Drove 18 hours to get there, After reaching our destination, I stayed 5 hours and came back home. Worst place I have ever been. Exception might have been Camp Eagle. But that is another story. It may just be in my blood. My Dad went there to visit my Uncles who moved down there. He hated it too. My son went to college there one year. He is a little more lenient than my Dad or me. He will go there for a day or two to visit friends. But back to the rise in costs for Disney World. Now it isn’t just Disney World, it seems most amusement parks are raising their prices. We all know sometimes a price increase has to come along. As employee’s need raises, and employee benefit cost raise. So I’m not really knocking them for the price increase. However, when you think about the overall cost for someone like me to go as a family of four, it really is quite pricey. Assume it is still the 1800 miles I traveled the last time. (There wasn’t Interstates all the way, so went by U.S. Highways), I think a good estimate for cars now is 26 mpg average. So round trip of 3600 miles, figure gas cost now about $3.50 a gallon, equals about $485.oo. Entry at $80.oo time 4 equals $320.oo. Now we are at $805.oo. Even for me 1800 miles is too much for a one day trip. Figure, driving the interstates, it is at least a 2 day drive. Thus we end up with at least 10 meals each for the round trip. Even eating at Burger King, we are looking at $200.oo for food, and that is not counting any drinks or snacks you have while on the road. Two overnight stays at a motel, (one going, and one coming home), that’s at least another $300.oo. I don’t know if Disney World charges to park there, I have been to some Amusement parks that do. But most don’t. So I’ll assume Disney doesn’t. Now we are at $1300.oo and just getting in the gate. Assuming, (again), you and your children spend what we spent the last time I took my family, which was several years ago, on drinks and food and souvenirs we’ll ad another $100.oo. Up to $1400.00 now. And let’s face it how much are you really going to get to see or do in one day? I know most of you are probably thinking WOW! that’s not bad. I suppose not but after driving 12 hours a day, for 2 days to get there, and 12 hours, a day for 2 days to come home. (Let’s not forgetting listening to the children and wife all that time while trying to keep your mind on driving), is it really worth it? Again probably yes, just to see the kid’s having fun. But for me that is more than I make each month. AND I still have my house payment, utilities, food, auto expenses, etc. But don’t worry, even if I could afford it I wouldn’t go. Disneyland in California would be another thing. That Is How I See It. have been just getting Views: 125
Tag: Vacation
Anti-Union State Governments
Wisconsin and Indiana legislators are currently split over a bill which would essentially KILL unions. It would not be the first time for this type of Genocide. History shows the need for unions. Before unions there were no 5 day work weeks, rarely were there any benefits, medical, retirement, vacations, etc. We had child labor. Sweat Shops. Poor working conditions. So many things workers now enjoy. The quality of living was so low and little hope of getting better. Now for 3 views on UNIONS. A friend of mine is very anti union. He blames all the woes in the world on Unions. According to him we would have more jobs, and things would not cost so much. It is the greedy union members who earn too much and drive up costs of the products they make. Everyone would be able to own big houses, new cars, just about everything would be better without Unions. Another friend of mine works in an Union shop, and claims they do nothing for the members. This is true in their place of employment. Unions are only as strong as their membership. In this case the membership is so weak, they never fight for anything. They bargain for a benefits, working conditions, and shop rules. But when the company violates items of the AGREEMENT, the company falls back on “THE RIGHT TO MANAGE”. Example. One item calls for a 3 step procedure before termination. 1. Verbal Warning. 2 Written Warning. 3. Time off without pay. Recently in this down turn in economy. The Company has taken it upon themselves to make this a first time infraction…TERMINATION. How? Right to Manage. The Union just says OK. As you can see although the members pay the dues, the Company really runs the Union. Thank all Unions are not this bad. My view. Unions are very much needed. Without them many jobs would be eliminated. No overtime, vacation, retirement, medical and life insurance, no breaks, and many many other things we would be doing without. You anti-union people don’t realize you benefit from unions also. If the unions did not win these concessions, do you think you would be enjoying the higher wages, and benefits, you have. NO! How many of your children have benefited from the the things unions fought and sacrificed for. Just think how our quality of life rose during unions haydays. The fifties, and sixties. Were great for the people. IBM, known as a great place to work, A friend of mine who worked his way up from a floor laborer, to a Vice Presidential, position explained the reason for IBM’s success as a great work place, was managements recognization of union negotions. He told me they would offer the same benefits, and sometimes a step better to keep there people and not have any breaks due to strikes, etc. Things were going great. Then Reagan, a former Union President, became President of the United Stats. You remember him as the Great Union Breaker. After he broke the air controllers union, Unions began losing strength. I wonder if he would have approved of his own actions if the government had tried to break his union at the time he was prsident of his Union. Then we had Clinton as President of the United States, he was also a Union Breaker, only more deadly. He said. I have a great idea. If you don’t like unions in your company take the jobs to foreign countries. Code name, (NAFTA). What does this do with our legislators not meeting and staying out of their state? When you lack numbers to win a battle you have to look at alternatives. Boycotting has always been a very effective way of combat. Provided you can secure the numbers to be effective. As is see it this is the only weapon these legislators have at their disposal to do what their constituents ask of them. As for the UNION members. Members must also take into the state of the country, it’s economy, and the effects of NAFTA. when they go to the bargaining table. Use some common sense in what they are asking for. Unions are good for America. That Is How I See It. Views: 140
