The Blind Leading the Blind
March 6, 2010
This is exactly why I don’t read fiction.
The truth is so much more bizarre.
On Thursday, President O’Drama signed the “Travel Promotion Act” into law.
This particular act is designed to convince people from other countries to vacation in the Unites Sates. The act will be funded by a $10 fee on all tourists to the U.S.
That’s right, we will begin luring people to our great nation by charging them more money before they even set foot on our soil.
So far, so bad.
Welcome to Fabulous United States of America
That’s nowhere near the worst part, however.
Get this:
The man who promotes Las Vegas is now being asked to promote the United States.
The U.S. Commerce Secretary wants LVCVA president Rossi Ralenkotter to lead the U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board.
Ralenkotter says he looks forward to promoting the importance of travel.
The chief executive of the primary tourism agency that promotes Las Vegas has been picked to lead a federal tourism advisory board that advises the U.S. commerce secretary.
Ralenkotter said in a statement that he looks forward to promoting the importance of travel to the country’s economy.
Ralenkotter is expected to be sworn in in April.
Yeah, that was a real excerpt.
Why fail on a local level when you can go national? Think big.
Apparently, the LVCVA really is full of the best and brightest minds that America has to offer. And we wonder why little Johnny can’t read.
Call me psychic, but I already know exactly how his first day on the job is going to go.
Ralenkotter: “Okay guys, I have an idea! Are you ready? Are you sitting down for this one? How about … ‘What Happens in the USA stays in the USA’”?
Commerce Secretary: “By god, man! That’s absolute genius! This is the kind of outside-the-box thinking we were looking for!”
I’m actually kind of scared about the notion of the LVCVA getting into the Federal Government. It’s only a matter of time before they hire Randy Snow as a consultant and he “accidentally” pushes a button which proceeds to nuke my home.
In response to the passage of this new law, Senator Harry Reid opined, “We know that when international visitors plan their trips to America, Nevada will be at the top of their list.”
Well, Harold, while that used to be the case, I really do think that U.S. policy is putting off potential visitors to Vegas, especially gamblers.
I’ve learned from various foreign nationals on my site that after they win jackpots or poker tournaments, they are often forced to leave 30% of their earnings behind because they don’t have social security numbers. Afterwards, if they are diligent, they can use an agency to help recover some of the withholding, but they typically don’t get all of it back. In essence, we steal one third of their big gambling wins before they ever see the money.
Because of this policy, some of these very visitors are reconsidering future vacation plans to the states. They simply do not feel that they are treated fairly, and I can’t say that I blame them.
Personally, I think anyone with a foreign passport should be completely exempt from withholding, but I’ve yet to see anyone in Nevada fight for the middle-class foreign gambler with such a proposal.
The other reason I think that tourism is in jeopardy is the TSA.
It is my opinion that the Transportation Safety Authority is one of the reasons that air tourism to Las Vegas is down. I’ve cut back on my own travel because of the hassle. They’ve twice swabbed my laptop at McCarran, and call me anal, but I don’t like Hector the Terror Hunter wiping unknown shit on my $3,500 laptop while beating the hell out of it like a Cinco De Mayo pinata. I doubt he subscribes to the “you break it, you buy it” philosophy.
I swear, putting two Air Marshalls on every plane has got to be more efficient than installing naked X-Ray machines … although admittedly not as fun. I have heard more than a few comments from people who no longer vacation abroad due to the mess that commercial aviation has become.
It’s unlikely that either of these things will change anytime soon, however.
Instead, the American way of fixing things is to throw slogans at the problem.
Product not selling? Screw making it better … instead, focus on marketing. Hey, it works for Microsoft.
In my opinion, the best way to promote the USA to outsiders is to highlight the crumbling value of our currency.
The unstable U.S. dollar is one of our prime attractions right now.
I remember going to Mexico City in the 80’s, and being astonished at how far my money went. Even in the world’s 3rd largest city. I believe it cost one Peso to ride the subway at the time, which was something like a nickel in U.S. Dollars.
Flash forward to the latter half of the 2000’s, and many Europeans, Asians, and Australians get the same feeling that the nation is on sale. Yes, I know the disparity is not nearly as great as the Dollar/Peso divide, but it’s still reasonably cheap.
Hell, we’ve been damn near on-par with the Canadian Dollar for a couple of years, and their currency is so worthless that they put a picture of a goddamn duck on their dollars. A DUCK! They put a bear on their two dollar coins. Apparently, their treasury is run by three kindergartners who base their coin designs on the random musings of a Fisher Price See n’ Say.
But hey, I didn’t write this article to bash Canada. That would be like tripping a retarded kid.
I wrote it to go on record as stating that this new program is asinine, a waste of money, and will have no positive effect.
Fixing the fundamental problems affecting the country and increasing our damaged global reputation would be far more helpful than another LVCVA-led slogan campaign.
For all of you out there who are on the fence about visiting the USA, you may want to consider doing so in the very near future. Your time is limited. In 20 short years, we’ll be Mexico.
Call me crazy, but I think that last paragraph would make a damn good slogan.
Why do I never get hired for these cushy PR jobs?
Written by fersure on March 6, 2010 at 9:42 pm
And pretty soon, us Canadians will be getting plastic money! http://preview.tinyurl.com/yzuyywg
Won`t that blow your mind.
Written by mike_ch on March 6, 2010 at 9:56 pm
I have no problem with this in concept. It’s been a problem of the last decade, as the previous administration cut tourism advertising right at the same time that the US became synonymous worldwide with a security state. You see, a nation that is constantly obsessed with keeping itself safe and detaining and doing questionable things to people who they believe might present threats has caused foreign tourism to decline.
Basically, people don’t want to go to countries where they’re asked 200 questions about their background and assumed outright to be a terrorist until proven otherwise. So they’ll go to another country with the Queen on their money, or a fellow EU nation with less restrictive entry requirements, or what have you. We have to convince these people that just because we ignore all their advice in geo-politics that it doesn’t mean we want them to go away and leave us alone.
Picking LVCVA to do this isn’t too smart, but it’s not they who are technically responsible for those ads we hate, it’s R&R Partners. Although really the only reason R&R gets to make the LVCVA’s advertising is because they’re the only local firm bidding on it, and so our interest in spending our money in our own backyard means we get these crazy ideas that only someone who lives in Las Vegas most of the year would possibly think is a good idea, instead of real marketing that would be appealing to people in the rest of the country.
LVCVA and R&R are now so integrated into each other that I suppose one could and maybe should be confused for the other, but hopefully there won’t be any “What happens in the waterboarding room…” commercials anytime soon.
Written by Gary on March 6, 2010 at 10:52 pm
I think the BLIND leading the DEAD is a more accurate title
Written by blueboar on March 7, 2010 at 12:42 am
Mr. Obama’s State Department is also considering a large raise in fees for US Passports. And a new, rather large fee if you need to get extra pages added to your passport.
Making visitors pay so that they can be advertised to is stupid and insulting, especially as they’re often then treated as if they were criminals by our security services. Hell, I think they fingerprint many if not most visitors. How welcoming is that?
And then there’s the TSA, and I think you already know my views on those scumbags…
And that tax rule? Ridiculous. Just ridiculous. A pure money grab.
Yep, it’s a real joy to travel to, from, or in this country nowadays.
Written by keith on March 7, 2010 at 5:05 am
“In 20 short years, we’ll be Mexico.”
Bring on the donkey shows!!
Written by The German tourist on March 7, 2010 at 9:06 am
Blueboar, they fingerprint everyone.
The funny thing is that I sometimes think about visiting the USA again. And then I’m at the airport and see a flight bound for the USA on a nearby counter while checking in. With all that security bullshit like opening your suitecase and stupid questions it’s already enough for me not to do so.
They don’t even need the entrance fee or dumb questions online (aka ESTA) to keep me away.
Written by pinstripes on March 7, 2010 at 3:41 pm
It is not a duck you clod, it is a loon!
Written by tim on March 7, 2010 at 5:23 pm
As Canada’s BIGGEST Vegas Rex fan, I feel I must correct you on a minor point. Our Canadian dollar has a Loon, not a duck, hence the nick name “loonie”. Yes, the two dollar coin has a polar bear and the Eskimo term for them in Nanook. Try as I might, the nick name “Nookie” never took off. Go figure!
RE: $10 vacation fee, is a cash grab. Why not put it towards a health care system that will help your uninsured folks instead? I’m just sayin’…
Tim
T-51 sleeps to fabulous Las Vegas.
Written by happylongmeadow on March 7, 2010 at 6:50 pm
Just think of that $10.00 as a “USA Resort Fee”.
It should be more. And charged daily. When compared to LV and some of the resort fees found there, $10 for their entire trip is super cheap.
Just one look at the amenities the USA will offer for that low $10.00 fee, and you will see how much of a bargain it really is.
Written by DoubleDownNow! on March 8, 2010 at 12:22 am
All they need to do is film 2 minutes of Rehab! at the Hard Rock! I guarantee you we will soon be overrun with tourists!
Written by Koala on March 8, 2010 at 1:39 am
Way to go USA.
Not content to make tourists entering the USA jump through hoops like circus animals before we even leave our own Country, with all your security and bullshit searches and restrictions, etc, ( a USA government requirement according to the intelligence challenged dickwads enforcing these regulations. You now want to charge us an extra $10 for that privilege. Don’t worry about the thousands we are already spending to get there and will spend once we arrive to boost your economy. Maybe you could look at it as an advance compulsory tip. After all every one in Las Vegas has their hands out for a tip, why not make it compulsory, just to acclimatize the tourists who come from a Country where tipping is not a way of life, because people are paid a decent living wage in the first place.
Written by Vicarious on March 8, 2010 at 4:21 am
I think the most fundamental question is where in the U.S. Constitiution does it say that the Federal Government should be be spending our hard earned tax dollars on Travel Promotions….not that these F’in bastards don’t piss away our money on other worthless shit but I digress……Another GD socialist program from O’Drama that won’t do shit for our economy
Written by Ace on March 8, 2010 at 7:45 am
I live and work overseas and the consensus among my multi-national coworkers is that it is real pain in the ass to get a visa to the US. They are treated like criminals and I hear it is a humiliating experience.
The tax witholding on winnings is wrong, too. Let the winner take it all home and deal with the local authorities there. Are they expected to submit a US tax return?
As far as effed up tax rules go, as a US citizen living abroad, I am not allowed in my homeland for more than thirty days per year or I will be taxed on everything I earn on foreign soil. The only country in the world that restricts it’s own citizens in this manner. In most other countries, the citizens are allowed 180 days/year which is more reasonable.
That 30 days goes by really fast and if some unforeseen emergency needed my personal attention there for 31+ days, it would suck to be me!
Written by pokersnot on March 8, 2010 at 6:35 pm
Im a Canadian. I was in Vegas 6 months ago and played a $80 tourney at the mirage. We got down to four players and decided to chop. The management took 30% off of everyones winnings because we were all foreigners. The total prize pook was something like $1700. I was shocked and questioned the house man. He told me that any prize pools in poker over $1500 are subject to tax witholding. GONG!
Oh and the TSA is the dam funniest thing. I swear you have to be 300lbs to get a job there. Literally anytime I see a TSA employee I just want to yell, HEY FATSO! They are the personification of everything that is wrong in the United States.
Peace from your Northern Neighbor.
Written by Limey on March 8, 2010 at 7:25 pm
Last time I visited Vegas just before Christmas, I was body searched then finger printed and eye photographed and asked 20 questions before I was allowed into the USA. Back home in the UK I had to fill in countless forms before flying to the US. I’ve done this countless times before; you’d think the US government would know me by now. I wouldn’t mind but I’m a 62 yr. old white Caucasian Christian male. I don’t exactly fit the current terrorist profile. To add insult to injury on arrival in the UK I found an USA agency had broken into my suitcase to inspect the contents before leaving the USA and in doing so bust the lock and damaged the case and left a note to say that they are not held responsible for any damage.
So it may be a long time before I come back and a lot of my fellow countrymen are feeling the same.
Anyway I found the Canadians to have good manners and the Mexicans have no pretentions. I’m off to China next I believe the gambling there is great and it’s the most exiting country in the world…Limey
Written by GAMBLOR on March 8, 2010 at 8:32 pm
I live in a Canadian city that supplies over a thousand visitors to Vegas daily. The winnings tax is a big money grab, the TSA is paranoia run rampant and the $10 visitors tax is insane. My wife and I have cut back to 2 annual trips instead of 4, as it is just too much of a hassle. Travelling to the US is now much of a pain in the ass and is as demeaning as going to Cuba. If they want a travel slogan they could work on the TSA insanity and announce that they are “Now more friendly then a communist country” or the other fun one is, “What you win in Vegas, stays in Vegas”. I still really love Vegas, I was married there and I love my Diamond card. But things need to lighten up, or the retards might stop coming.
Written by MrCdnVegas on March 8, 2010 at 9:04 pm
VegasRex: The Half-Assed Blogger Who Is 30% Accurate
Make that 25%
The loon is not a DUCK!
It is a BIRD and it is NOT a member of the same family as ducks.
As well it’s a Polar Bear not just a bear.
Of ya, all of our coins are made at the Royal Canadian Mint not a treasury.
But to help you get a little more accurate on you Canadian info I can help on my next trip……you’ll be able to spot me. I be drinking my Tim Horton’s coffee wearing a toque, with my dog sled and a fist full of funny colour animal money, and going home with only 70% of the money that I won in Las Vegas.
And yes we use a see n say to pick the animals.
Written by coolpacific on March 8, 2010 at 9:49 pm
I play a lot of DDB poker and have reduced my level to $0.50 from $1.00 just so I don’t have to pay the %30 tax upfront on Aces w/ a kicker. I am hooped on any Royal though.
I get most of it back but it is a major PITA.
This is also one reason that I gravitate more and more towards blackjack and craps.
Written by gerhard on March 9, 2010 at 5:38 am
@limey…
—
I found an USA agency had broken into my suitcase to inspect the contents before leaving the USA and in doing so bust the lock and damaged the case and left a note to say that they are not held responsible for any damage.
—
Pictures from my last US Visit. TSA has destroyed my 500 Euro bag.
http://www.visitvegas.de/Forum-topic-3-start-msg9.html
It’s not the first time they opened it but it´s the first time this job is done by a 3 year old kid playing with a screwdriver…
Written by Ace on March 9, 2010 at 7:12 pm
Limey’s experiences are unfortunately all too common among my non-US citizen friends. I have heard the stories.
The “Travel Promotion Act” rings hollow if your knuckles get slammed in the same door you are allegedly being welcomed through!
As a US citizen, I usually am given visas to most countries with a minimum of trouble, but if the US keeps this up I see a retaliation that will make my life much more difficult.
On the other hand, $10 USD pales in comparison to the UK departure tax….GEEZ!!! Mexico, too!!!
Written by ColinFromLasVegas on March 10, 2010 at 12:58 am
Oh no!
I just saw the picture of UMC with your little note below it.
This probably is not the right place to post this, but I hope you get well quick and get out of the hospital.
Not sure why you’re in there, but I hope the best for you, Rex. Get well, damnit!