Gouging, Extortion, And No Independence

Thanks to a Greeley Report reader for this news tip.

July 4th is the ultimate expression of free speech and politics.  On that day our forefathers boldly declared their independence from the British crown (without asking his permission), and formed their own nation.  The USA was born that day, and it was rowdy, rough-and-tumble, and birthed in individual self-determination.  Then the Greeley Stampede Committee stepped in.

The Stampede Committee will tell you that they "like" the concept of independence.  But it's a little too...independent.  That's why they need to regulate and control it.  And how do they do this?

• First, they take control of a community event, and license it with the name with "Independence" in it. 

• Then, they charge you for independence, if you want t march in their "community" parade.

• They control what you can and cannot say or do in the parade itself (because it's all about free speech...right?).

• And they charge political parties and politically-related groups twice as much as the others!  On the day when we celebrate politics, freedom and bold independence, the local facist committee charges them double!  Talk about gouging liberty with a dull stick!

We should have known this would happen.  After all, the majority of the Stampede committee is comprised of liberal Demoncrats.  They like facism, because it keeps them successful while suppressing the freedom of others.  (This is often like established businesses approving regulation because after all, they are already successful and don't care if potential competition in a small, struggling business is suppressed.)  So what do they seek to suppress in Weld County?  Political freedom!  If they cannot suppress it, at least they can force you to pay double.  It sounds like liberal extortion to me.

Make no mistake, the Stampede Committee is a well-oiled machine.  They work every year with sponsors and corporations in this area to rake in revenue.  These sponsors are the backbone of the operation, and they need to be challenged for supporting liberals and socialists.

• Maybe someone (that would be you) needs to call Stampede sponsors and "enlighten" them.

• Maybe someone needs to organize a truly free Independence Day parade.

• Maybe someone needs to start boycotting Stampede events.

After all, true independence is a dangerous thing.  It's not controlled by a committee, corporation or even a government.  It's inherently created for you and me, and we give these groups a measure of our regard.  When they overstep their bounds, it's time to say no more.  On Independence Day, they shouldn't be gouging politics so they can have more in their pockets, even if they are Demoncrats and RINO's.  It's time for a redistribution...of freedom.  Let them know...it's on.

Comments

[jack]

I wouldn't call the stampede committee liberals. It made up of all the conservative good old boys.

[Rey]

Don't go to the horse races. Don't go to the parade. I don't care. Your outrage is funny and childish. Keep it up. It's my kind of entertainment. If you think Reese's boycott will have any impact on the Stampede, carry on in your delusions.

[RINOHntr]

@ "Rey", typical LIB - attack the person and attempt to divert the argument with pompous remarks.

As you've failed to see, no one is suggesting the government be involved. In fact, my suggestion is for - FREE MARKET PEOPLE (obviously not you Rey) - to boycott businesses who support the extortion tactics of the Stampede Committee & Boycott the Stampede itself.

[Only good for Greeley]

Well, while we are on the subject of Island Grove Park, what do you all think about the Mexican horse racing proposal? Me, I am totally against it. More gambling, more alcohol, more fights, more drugs and yet the promoter says none of this will happen..........He says he will hire private security guards. Yeah, right. What are they gonna do, search everyone, look in every woman's purse.....Get real.. I think we will pass on this mess...........

[Rey]

So, start your own private event, have a parade, and charge Political Committees the same amount everyone else gets charged. Do you want the government to intervene? Is that the kind of 1st Amendment advocate you are? If there is price gouging, as you put it, the free market will respond to the demand for an alternative. There are no governmental barriers to entry. I'm sorry you don't understand economics. College might have been a good idea.

[RINOHntr]

The POINT, "Rogers", "Rey" others, is that the Stampede committee is CHARGING POLITICAL COMMITTEES DOUBLE!
The 4th of July is a purely POLITICAL event.

Individualists and free marketers should be outraged about the price gouging.

BTW, all the personal attacks on Reese are the same kinds of behavior you're ridiculing Reese about.

[JustK]

Ummmm...maybe there's a charge to be in the parade to cover such incidentals as clean up after the crowd, porta potties, barriers, etc. I dunno, just guessing. Who is supposed to pay for that? Those services just drop from the heavens for free?

[Dennis]

I've been boycotting the "Stampede" for a number of years now.

Didn't they start charging admission to Island Grove, for the Stampede, last year? Now why would anybody pay to go to the carnival, and then pay more for the rides? To watch all of the "gang-bangers"?

The Stampede committee has destroyed what was once a fine Greeley tradition for family entertainment. I can't afford it anymore, even if I wanted to.

I think giving any politician in Greeley credit for belonging to either party is a reach. It's just plain small-town politics, where most of the politicians couldn't describe either party. They are only about their own personal power trip and control, which settles them squarely in the camp of...., communism.

Greeley's politics reminds me a lot of high school cliques. No vision. This is capitalized by our downtown area. Look at Fort Collins, Longmont and even Loveland's downtown areas. There's just something about Greeley that will never measure up with the culture and history of surrounding communities - and that is its politics.

Why have they destroyed so many old buildings in the downtown area over the last 30 years? Nobody has ever had the vision to properly zone and expand our community. Maybe it's the "old money".

[greeleygirl]

Wow, I don't even want to touch this. I love the parade and the rodeo. Nothing like it in L.A.

[Rey]

The Stampede is a private organization. Like the Tribune. Stop whining and start your own. Hopefully it will be as successful as the Gazette.

[Bobby J.]

If Greeley customers had a choice, they want fireworks at a reasonable time rather than a crappy entertainer on a poor sound system that cost 100K.

How about a movement to start a new celebration, something a little more independent.

[rogers]

OMG!!

brett/sam must have wanted to walk in the parade with a john birch society banner and they found out the committee has a fee setup for these "political" groups.

The committee is made up of Democrats...please. I almost spit the coffee out of my mouth when I read that. Hilarious!

Call the committee and complain...that'll go far. Ha.

Start your own parade? You would have to follow lots of regulations and rules the GOVERNMENT sets up. The nerve of the GOVERNMENT wanting safety rules to be followed. Lots of detail to cover for a parade where 8 people would show up.

Boycott events? Your 14 followers won't impact the event one bit. In fact, please do boycott, it will allow more room for we citizens to watch the parade.

brett/sam's fake outrage is beginning to resemble a comedy routine.

Nobody wants to do it your way so you try pouting and whining. How's that working for ya?