First the provincial government. Now this.
Take for example, a news release from Hospitality Newfoundland and Labrador on the Marine Atlantic rate increases.
Now bear in mind that these increases - based on higher fuel costs and the dollar's exchange rate - have been going on for over a year. And bear in mind that every single member of the hospitality association has been coping with the same issues, probably through lowering costs or cutting back services and staff levels or raising prices.
Bear in mind as well that despite rising fuel costs last year, "[i]n the height of our tourism season in 2007 Marine Atlantic could not handle the volume of vehicles, their on-time performance was below 50% and many visitors were left on the wharf."
With all that background, why would the hospitality association be slagging the ferry operator and the federal government and at the same time suggesting that the rate increases be rolled back?
Why pee on Marine Atlantic's shoes and call for a jihad against their efforts to meet rising costs - like any other business - when the hospitality tribe needs to be working positively with the ferry operator to improve service?
Anyone?
Anyone?
Buehler?
The sheer stupidity that characterises politics in this province seems to be spreading like a rash.
You see, if the ferry operator is already unable to met the burgeoning demand, slashing into their revenues (or pouring cash in subsidies versus into new capital construction) and slagging the crap out of them in public seems to be a counterproductive policy.
Here's the brilliant - and highly original - idea from the hospitality crowd, to wit, more handouts and subsidies:
HNL requests that Newfoundland and Labrador’s Members of Parliament demand the Federal Government enhance its commitment to Marine Atlantic by eliminating its cap on funding and paying their fair share of the operating costs which include fuel.
Once more from the modest suggestion department:
The next time I book a stay at one of the fine hotels, motels, bed/breakfasts, the next time I take a meal at one of the province's many outstanding eating establishments or avail of some other service provided by Hospitality Newfoundland and Labrador members, I want the owners to lift their policy and charge me the cost only of providing the service. They should pay their fair share of my entertainment. I resent that I am "unfairly being forced to bear the brunt of higher operational costs" through these service cuts and increased prices.
The tourists are being hard done by equally, since they have to pay to get here on some commercial carrier which likely expects its passengers to pay their fair share of costs and profit, just like the HNL members.
So, Bruce Sparkes, cut your profit margins, and stop your whining. You too can contribute to fixing the problem, right along with the provincial government.
After all, as it stands, HNL wants my tax dollars and my custom at full cost to me plus profit paid by me as well.
Charity begins at home, Mr. Sparkes.
It's only fair.
When you put it in that perspective, one doubts Mr. Sparkes is quite as keen on his idea as he was when he signed off on the news release.
The silliness of his rash suggestions become painfully evident.
-srbp-