Want to see an industry go up in flames real fast?

Let John Kerry get his way...

This hits home for me because I work for a conference resort and if what he wants succeeds we would lose alot of business and all those people would be out of work...

John Kerry Wants to Ban Conferences | Meetings Podcast:

"Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) has announced plans to introduce legislation that would prevent companies that have received bailout funding from hosting, sponsoring or paying for conferences, holiday parties and entertainment events. The bill will affect any companies that have received government help under the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP).

“I’m sick and tired of picking up the newspaper and reading about another idiotic abuse of taxpayer money while our country is on the brink,” Kerry said. “Americans who play by the rules are losing their jobs and struggling to pay their mortgages. The companies that came to Congress in desperate need of help to stay afloat become their own worst enemies when they pull stunts like this. It’s an embarrassment that this legislation is necessary, but some companies clearly need a reality check to get their priorities straight so taxpayer money is used to get their house in order and not to pay for lavish parties. Congress has zero tolerance for this kind of excess.”

Companies may seek waivers under the proposal from the U.S. Secretary of Treasury for events that the recipients believe are directly related to business operations. The secretary would have 30 days to respond. Violations will require company CEOs to reimburse the federal government for the cost of the event and pay a US$100,000 fine.

Dear Mr. Kerry

I understand that you are having a knee jerk reaction to companies meeting because of the bad apples out there. But as the Jackson Five sang “one bad apple does not spoil the whole bunch of girls.” It’s insane you are lumping all the industry events and meetings together in one pile for these bail-out companies? We all hate to see companies taking advantage of events and meetings but the companies that are taking money from the taxpayers are the ones that need to meet the most! They need to meet face to face to get things on track in a timely manner.

Does the government still meet in one place or do they do it virtually? Because our country is in a mess of trouble and I think the government has been in charge. And we are still paying them (you)? Are you canceling all government meetings?

Making legislation to not allow any meetings is ludicrous and such a knee jerk reaction makes me cringe. I say this with all due respect but you are piling everything into one. Like grouping people who believe in Islam makes them terrorists; like Governor Palin lumping all the countries in Africa as one country.

You will drive this country down with this sort of legislation. Who do you think makes the money from these meetings? I know! Think about all the people involved with meetings and events? The staffs at the different airlines; baggage handlers; sky caps; taxi drivers; servers; bell men; housekeeping staffs; meeting planners; bartenders, and etc. Yes Mr. Kerry, that money would go back to the taxpayers, stimulating the economy as it was supposed to do!

Mr. Kerry things are bad enough! Don’t help it along with your knee jerk legislation.

I am sure you have several meetings to go to anyway…..

Mike"

What do you think about this mess? ME, I'm afraid for my job more than ever now...