Just when you thought South Carolina had learned to walk and chew gum at the same time, along comes the City of North Myrtle Beach, S.C. to prove otherwise.
Each year, the city hosts a Fourth of July fireworks show – one of numerous taxpayer-subsidized fireworks displays held across the state each year. Six minutes into this year’s show, however, a shell prematurely detonated – sending one man to the hospital with serious injuries and blowing a two-by-three foot hole in the Cherry Grove pier.
Now taxpayers who paid for the fireworks show are also paying for a city investigation into this incident …
First things first: Our thoughts and prayers go out to the worker who was injured. According to The (Myrtle Beach, S.C.) Sun News this unfortunate soul was transported to the Grand Strand Regional Medical Center, yet there is no update on their condition.
Hopefully they’ll pull through …
More importantly, though, this incident highlights a much more fundamental issue – whether government should be forcing taxpayers to subsidize fireworks displays in the first place.
Somebody should add up the annual taxpayer cost associated w Fourth of July fireworks … just sayin.
— Will Folks aka Sic (@fitsnews) July 5, 2013
In no universe are fireworks a core function of government. Are they awesome? Sure … so is beer, but it’s not the government’s job to buy everybody a six-pack (even though Washington’s ever-expanding welfare state is doing that – and then some).
We can’t tolerate unnecessary government – even when it goes to something “cool” like fireworks. And that’s true whether these shows go off without a hitch … or whether disaster strikes like it did in North Myrtle Beach this week.
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48 comments
Historical celebrations, in this case, firworks, may indeed be a core function of government. The spirit and sense of one that is promoted by these events serve to rally the country, remind us of what binds us, and our commonality of interests.
If a celebration of the Nation’s independence, its birthday if you will, does not merit such expenditures there is little left to celebrate, much less defend.
As to your comment: “More importantly, though, this incident highlights a much more fundamental issue – whether government should be forcing taxpayers to subsidize fireworks displays in the first place.”
Government doesn’t force anything. Elected officials give voice to the people, their wants, needs, and yes, their whims.
“Government doesn’t force anything.”
Stop paying you taxes and let us know how that works out fo you.
“Tyrrany of the Majority” applies here.
What also applies is that dissenters have a vote, a voice, and the ability to run and change things. Political activism. Where are the protests, the objections at these proposals when they are voted on?
“Tyrrany of the Majority” applies here.
What also applies is that dissenters have a vote, a voice, and the ability to run and change things. Political activism. Where are the protests, the objections at these proposals when they are voted on?
Celebrations of any kind are absolutely not a core function of government. These ‘celebrations’ are merely advertisments for the status quo to use for a photo op behind a flag or, and more likely, some injured vet or crippled baby/child.
But celebrations of this type will always be a core function of Gubmint. See above.
I do agree, fireworks isn’t a core function of government.
Yep, you have the choice of not going too. If too few people show up then obviously government will get the message and stop. No point in setting off fireworks when 10 people show up.
Showing up is consent in its purest form. How many “Taxed Enough Already” people show up to these? Hmm…
“Government doesn’t force anything.”
LMAO! Pure genius.
“Government doesn’t force anything.”
LMAO! Pure genius.
I’m ready to vote myself some largesse. Count me in on the free beer!!
“Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.”
–Ben Franklin
Historical celebrations, in this case, firworks, may indeed be a core function of government. The spirit and sense of one that is promoted by these events serve to rally the country, remind us of what binds us, and our commonality of interests.
If a celebration of the Nation’s independence, its birthday if you will, does not merit such expenditures there is little left to celebrate, much less defend.
As to your comment: “More importantly, though, this incident highlights a much more fundamental issue – whether government should be forcing taxpayers to subsidize fireworks displays in the first place.”
Government doesn’t force anything. Elected officials give voice to the people, their wants, needs, and yes, their whims.
“Government doesn’t force anything.”
Stop paying you taxes and let us know how that works out fo you.
“Tyrrany of the Majority” applies here.
What also applies is that dissenters have a vote, a voice, and the ability to run and change things. Political activism. Where are the protests, the objections at these proposals when they are voted on?
Celebrations of any kind are absolutely not a core function of government. These ‘celebrations’ are merely advertisments for the status quo to use for a photo op behind a flag or, and more likely, some injured vet or crippled baby/child.
But celebrations of this type will always be a core function of Gubmint. See above.
I do agree, fireworks isn’t a core function of government.
Yep, you have the choice of not going too. If too few people show up then obviously government will get the message and stop. No point in setting off fireworks when 10 people show up.
Showing up is consent in its purest form. How many “Taxed Enough Already” people show up to these? Hmm…
“Government doesn’t force anything.”
LMAO! Pure genius.
I’m ready to vote myself some largesse. Count me in on the free beer!!
“Beer is proof that God loves us and wants us to be happy.”
–Ben Franklin
Too bad photos are still verbotten. I had a great idea for a thought bubble presentation of the kind of deranged stuff that would most likely constitute the “prayers” of Will Folks…
Too bad photos are still verbotten. I had a great idea for a thought bubble presentation of the kind of deranged stuff that would most likely constitute the “prayers” of Will Folks…
SIC Willie, look at the tax rate in North Myrtle Beach. I believe that you will find that it is one of the lowest in SC. One reason the taxes are so low is the fact that there are a large number of seasonal rentals. The tourist come to NMB because of the wealth of events the city sponsors and the fact that NMB is a healthy vibrant city that provides a diverse assortment of activities for the residents and tourist to enjoy. The annual fireworks show is attended by thousands of residents and tourist alike. Events like the fireworks show, SOS, Irish/Italian Festival, St Patrick’s Festival, Endless Summer and the Free Concerts is what separates North Myrtle Beach form the other beaches in the area. Not to mention that NMB is Smoke-free, this helps attract visitors as well (unlike the ashtray of the east-coast to our south). All of these events sponsored by the City or the Chamber put “Heads in Beds” and revenue into the pockets of the local residents, City, County and State governments. So be thankful that NMB spends the money on the Fireworks show and other events. A lot of those sales tax dollars spent by the “Heads in Beds” that come to watch or participate in the previously named events end up in your fair city of Columbia. So don’t complain.
“We screw other citizens and pass the savings on to YOU!”
SIC Willie, look at the tax rate in North Myrtle Beach. I believe that you will find that it is one of the lowest in SC. One reason the taxes are so low is the fact that there are a large number of seasonal rentals. The tourist come to NMB because of the wealth of events the city sponsors and the fact that NMB is a healthy vibrant city that provides a diverse assortment of activities for the residents and tourist to enjoy. The annual fireworks show is attended by thousands of residents and tourist alike. Events like the fireworks show, SOS, Irish/Italian Festival, St Patrick’s Festival, Endless Summer and the Free Concerts is what separates North Myrtle Beach form the other beaches in the area. Not to mention that NMB is Smoke-free, this helps attract visitors as well (unlike the ashtray of the east-coast to our south). All of these events sponsored by the City or the Chamber put “Heads in Beds” and revenue into the pockets of the local residents, City, County and State governments. So be thankful that NMB spends the money on the Fireworks show and other events. A lot of those sales tax dollars spent by the “Heads in Beds” that come to watch or participate in the previously named events end up in your fair city of Columbia. So don’t complain.
“We screw other citizens and pass the savings on to YOU!”
FITS innately internalizes all failure to project toward this state…as a defense mechanism to himself…
FITS so loves pop culture idols (Colbert, Kanye and Kim, Stewart, Anderson Cooper, Obama, Mahr, O’Donnell, Dennis Rodman, Pelosi) and so wants to identify w/ them, even though he lives in an @$$-Backward, extra-chromosome, Conservative) state….(as they see us)….
FITS cannot openly admit how weak and stupid his pop-lust is. Therefore, he is reduced to beg for the left to see him as one who Hates SC as much as they do…
FITS: They hate SC because it is not lock-step, narrow-minded NAZI-like Liberal…
You kinda play around the fringes, trying to not admit what you are. And you feel you must sell your state as the total Dumb@$$ that you actually are…
Quit being ashamed that you are an Ignorant full-throttle, leftwing idiot…It will be liberating…and you may not look so Self-loathing and limited, in the process…
Will is certainly consistent in his political philosophy.
Now, where is that Ralph Waldo Emerson quote? Oh, here it is.
“A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds.”
Will is certainly consistent in his political philosophy.
Now, where is that Ralph Waldo Emerson quote? Oh, here it is.
“A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds.”
For the record, only the guy helping with fireworks was injured. In Simi Valley, CA they injured 28 people http://apnews.myway.com/article/20130705/DA7B9J800.html
For the record, only the guy helping with fireworks was injured. In Simi Valley, CA they injured 28 people http://apnews.myway.com/article/20130705/DA7B9J800.html
Hey FITS….
SIMI VALLEY, Calif. (AP) – More than two dozen people were injured when a wood platform holding live fireworks tipped over, sending the pyrotechnics into a crowd at an annual 4th of July show northwest of Los Angeles, authorities said Friday.
How’s that FOOT taste, Dumb@$$…..???
Is this paid for by tax dollars? Sometimes fireworks displays are funded in large part from private donations. There’s also food trucks and other businesses that get a boom in customers during the evening because of it.
How much tax dollars were even used? A few thousand?
Is this paid for by tax dollars? Sometimes fireworks displays are funded in large part from private donations. There’s also food trucks and other businesses that get a boom in customers during the evening because of it.
How much tax dollars were even used? A few thousand?
You should give the state back all the money you took from taxpayers when you were performing the non-core government function of thinking up corny PR stunts for Sanford.
Asshole.
“But that’s different!”
lol… Might be fun to hear how Willie explains his old job being a “core function” of government.
You should give the state back all the money you took from taxpayers when you were performing the non-core government function of thinking up corny PR stunts for Sanford.
Asshole.
“But that’s different!”
lol… Might be fun to hear how Willie explains his old job being a “core function” of government.
Anybody else wonder if Tax Dollars may be funneled to FITS, through the SCDP or other politicians???…
I’d love to know if FITS has to disclose donors…Can anybody tell me how to find out????
Not trying to shoot you down (really), but I’m sure Tax Dollars isn’t a proper noun.
Effeminate Little, Hand-Wringing Technical B@$*@*d is not either…
Are you sure about B@$*@*d?
Funny as shit! Nice pic…
No doubt you LOVE it. He’s brilliant compared to your Stupid and Dull liberal @$$…I’m sure you’re so thrilled, you’d kneel and suck in appreciation…
I’m sure Effeminate Little is a band out of Chicago.
Anybody else wonder if Tax Dollars may be funneled to FITS, through the SCDP or other politicians???…
I’d love to know if FITS has to disclose donors…Can anybody tell me how to find out????