Park Taxes
(aka "User Fees")
Delicate Arch, Arches National Park, Utah
I love the National Parks. They are National treasures. But entrance fees are going higher and higher, yet we're getting less and less in return.
On my first trip out west in 1984, the Golden Eagle Pass cost $10, there was plenty of ranger programs and the restrooms were fairly nice. Today a National Parks Pass costs $50, yet the parks are underfunded, understaffed, facilities aren't being maintained properly, and educational programs are becoming a distant memory. It can't be a problem with taking in enough fees because more people than ever are visiting the parks - so it must be bad (political) management. Where is all the money going? I hate to say this, but if Disney ran the National Parks, they'd be making a fortune and we'd have much better services (...they wouldn't even have to build rides). Something isn't right.
I don't think the government should fence off all the best scenery and charge admission to see it.
Now I don't mind user fees, but the parks are one of the top things I'm proud to pay federal incomes tax for. But I feel "user fees" are being abused by our government. More and more they are charging us for services we used to get included in our taxes, essentially raising taxes. But if I'm going to pay for every government service that I receive, then what the hell is the income tax for - an entertainment fee to watch Republicans and Democrats create user fees? And I worry about what fees are going to come next - the fire department asking "cash or charge" before extinguishing your house?
I want my taxes to fund the parks.
How do I say this without coming off as some kind of bigot? Half the people visiting our National Parks seem to come from foreign countries. The major crowd problems aren't from an influx of Americans, but from foreign tourists. And all they pay into our parks is $50 for a National Parks Pass (...which, to be honest, is dirt cheap, especially considering how much they pay to come here).
Why not reserve the National Parks Pass / Golden Eagle for American citizens? Sell it on the income tax return - put one of those "do you want $50 to go to the national parks" check boxes right on the form. It would say "yes, I want more of my tax dollars going to the parks and I'm willing to pay for it". And in return, U.S. citizens get a National Parks Pass. Heck, I'd probably buy one every year whether I'm going on vacation or not just to support the parks. Then at the park entrance, charge non-citizens at least what it would cost to go to a movie - $5 a head.