Example of wasteful Government? - New England Patriots Forums

mcgraw_wv · 03-13-2009, 11:21 AM

I just heard a Smokey the Bear commercial on the Radio, did you know that 9 out of 10 wildfires are caused by Humans?

"Created in 1944, the Smokey Bear campaign is the longest running public service campaign in history"

Yet today, more than 60 years of funding this program, 9 out of 10 fires are STILL started by Humans... That's 90% people...

"in 2006 the National Park Service had an annual budget of $2.2 billion"

No I know the smokey the bear campaign isn't anywhere near 2.2 billion... but I'm sure a lot goes into the production of materials, commercials etc... all paid by us.

If we are still at 90% human caused... Is this money well spent? Only if in 1960 was the rate 97%...

So yes I know it sounds like im attacking a beloved character to our country... but I heard this commercial and he said "90% of wildfires are caused by humans" I instantly thought, so why they hell are we still giving you money to inform people... perhaps your education is causing more than reducing... I felt like they were advertising their own failure as a government program...

***Patters*** · 03-13-2009, 12:15 PM

It's almost certainly a Public Service Announcement you saw, ads that the media runs for free, usually because they don't have the paying ads. The only cost for the ad was the original production, and that was probably a small cost even if the ads help prevent a single fire.

mcgraw_wv · 03-13-2009, 12:32 PM

I'm fairly certain that the foresty service pays for those...

Even though, the point is, for 60 years, were still at 90%...

***Patters*** · 03-13-2009, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcgraw_wv

I'm fairly certain that the foresty service pays for those...

Even though, the point is, for 60 years, were still at 90%...

Well, one of the problems with liberalism is that it's difficult to measure what is stopped beforehand. The advantage conservatives have is they address problems after they occur -- let the bad thing happen and then address the problem. Would there be more forest fires if it wasn't for Smokey the Bear? I don't know. But, along the same lines, I remember as a very little kid that littering was perfectly normal. Eat a candy bar and throw the wrapper away. Then along came Lady Bird Johnson and the campaign to Keep America Beautiful. Now, I think there are very few people who litter. The campaign appeared to have paid off.

That said, I think it would be very difficult to measure the impact of the Smokey the Bear ads because there are so many variables.

Stokes · 03-13-2009, 12:56 PM

I agree with Patters, we don't know how many little pyros put down the matches because Smoky told them and prevented not only forest fires but house fires as well. You'd have to measure # of human caused fires before 1944 vs. after and then adjust for increased population in areas most prone to wildfires as well as weather patterns that made some years more dangerous than others. Not an easy study to do.

***tanked_as_usual*** · 03-13-2009, 01:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patters

Well, one of the problems with liberalism is that it's difficult to measure what is stopped beforehand. The advantage conservatives have is they address problems after they occur -- let the bad thing happen and then address the problem.

as opposed to liberals who actually create the problems

***DarrylS*** · 03-13-2009, 03:04 PM

Smoky the Bear is one of those feel good programs that happens in government. Whether it is good or not is not the issue lots of folks feel good about it. Should it continue, who knows.. but it does have momemtum.

Consider the DARE program, cops love it, parents love it, schools love it, community loves it.. but longitudinal studies have shown it to be pretty inneffective.

Holy Diver · 03-13-2009, 03:17 PM

The point of the thread leaves a LOT of doors open.

If we spend 650 Billion on defense and we were attacked on 9-11, does that mean that our money was poorly spent?

some things are effective, even if you don't see results. I know for a fact those ads worked on me as a kid.

***Patters*** · 03-13-2009, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tanked_as_usual

as opposed to liberals who actually create the problems

What are you talking about? Civil rights? Women's rights? Gay rights? Social Security? Veteran's benefits? Environmental cleanup? The space program? Government regulation of Wall Street? Medicaid/Medicare? etc.

mcgraw_wv · 03-13-2009, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Holy Diver

The point of the thread leaves a LOT of doors open.

If we spend 650 Billion on defense and we were attacked on 9-11, does that mean that our money was poorly spent?

some things are effective, even if you don't see results. I know for a fact those ads worked on me as a kid.

Ehhh.. But I would say that 60 years of spending all that money defense gives us the ability to blow the snot out of anything in the world within a few minutes...

I see the point on fuzzy things, that make people happy.

It just occured to me when I heard the commercial, that man... have you guys not lowered the rate at all in the last 20 years that ive known about it?

Also: Keep a close eye of the latest Smokey the Bear TV commercial out there... It's about a dude smoking a joint...

Found it: YouTube - Diner

NO one holds a cigarette like that, and the dude is a pure stoner... Followed by the ending slogan of "Get your smokey on"...