Rodney, if you don't like USARK, don't give them money. It is that simple. I say the same about abortion. If you are against it, don't have one. (Not trying to have an abortion argument here) You state:
Can I ask why USARK would try to get rid of an industry that they themselves are a part of? What benefit would they gain by encouraging bans on reptiles when they own said reptiles also?
Also, I rarely EVER post on fauna, so I am not one of those names that you have seen on your other threads. I didn't even know you had other threads on this.
In 2010, the HSUS received almost 250 billion dollars in donations, located here:
http://www.humanesociety.org/assets/pdfs/financials/2010-form-990.pdf
I want to point this out because HSUS does a great job with passing legislation and they are constantly trying to BAN the reptile industry. They do not want us to own snakes or anything exotic. However, this is not a discussion on the HSUS, it is a discussion on USARK. So, why is this HSUS financial record of importance? It is of importance for the mere fact that the volume of cash flow going into it is a massive amount. With this massive amount of influx of cash, HSUS can have the government eating out of their hands and many times they do.
Unfortunately, the reptile industry is very small in comparison to other industries and to other hobbies. We don't have the pull that HSUS does. We don't have the money that HSUS does. We don't have the lobbying power that HSUS does. What we have is USARK and the sad amount of money donated to this.
Let's look at USARK a little closer on the financial side. Over the entire year, people donated a whopping $303,078. Compared to HSUS of $250 billion? 300k is pocket change. Can you imagine what USARK could do with $250 billion? Can you imagine what kind of pull we would have if we had that kind of money going into USARK?
Let's move further into USARK's financial status, shall we?
Sales Expense
Advertising - 2,842
Airlines -11,400
Car Maintenance - 0
Car Rental - 1,785
Consultant - 9,615
Lobbyist Fees - 150,802
Gasoline - 1,305
Hotel - 12,977
Meals - 3,503
Parking / Tolls - 492
Flyers & Hand Outs - 2,478
Show Expense - 17,270
T-Shirts & Promo Items - 11,748
Taxi / Shuttle / Metro - 849
I know you mentioned the low costs of advertising. Yes, that is low. I agree here. However, let's see the real costs of advertising because isn't reptile shows advertising? Aren't t-shirts, advertising? Aren't flyers and handouts, advertising? Our new advertising number is $34,338. 10% of the money donated is going to advertising, while half is going to lobbying (which is why we send them money).
Now that I actually see how little USARK is getting, I am amazed that they have stopped so many bans. The little, itty, bitty, lobbying group with no income is going against the HSUS giant and as a result, we have to compromise. I do hate the compromise. I really do. I can't stand it. However, I do understand that in order for me to enjoy my hobby, I have to make sure people feel safe. If the majority of people do not feel safe, we lose.
I know you are against the lesser of 2 evils concept but doesn't this apply in all aspects of the political world? Who really would have truly wanted McCain or Obama into the White House? Many people I know wished another person could of had a decent chance, but they didn't choose anyone from another party because they had to pick between the lesser of 2 evils.
It sucks. Yes, it does. You may not like some of the legislation that has been put in place. You may not agree with the way USARK tries to handle the threat of banning. You can create your own lobbying group to go against the government and try to get no laws regulating exotics. However, the reality is, will we ever have the power to beat HSUS fully. Will we never have the money in our industry and hobby to shut HSUS up? Money is power in the lobbying world and our industry just doesn't have the money to not compromise.
Star
dense.
Well said.