A Tale of Two Camps

There are two campgrounds near my house, one privately owned, the other government owned.
Signs at the government run campground say “Camp is full,” but it’s not! There are few people camping.
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We asked the Massachusetts Department of Parks why its big camp was mostly empty. They didn’t respond. We kept calling and emailing until 9 days later, someone told us, they’d “had difficulties hiring seasonal employees.”
Really?! This summer, Massachusetts had the highest unemployment rate in America.
But at Maurice’s Campground, the smaller private one just a bike ride away, they managed to hire enough staff. They had to. They fund themselves. If they don’t please their customers, they can’t stay in business.
The owner, John Gauthier, tells me, “If there was no staff, we were the staff.”
That’s the difference between government and private. The Massachusetts Parks Department is allowed to lose millions of dollars. Taxpayers will make up the difference.
John Gauthier invests his own money He has to make a profit to survive.
I tell him, “It's unfair, you have to compete against the government, which is losing all this money."
Gauthier replies “Yeah. It's not a great scenario, but what can we do?"

[@bbkr7910]

John Stossel is a legend of reporting. He didn't leave ABC, ABC left him.

[@lilitincher4973]

Whatever the case, we are the lucky ones for having him still doing true journalism.

[@botoxbeanie2927]

This was a fun video to watch too.

[@imgamerful]

agreed. I'd rather my tax payer dollar go towards this than most other msm

[@neogeo8267]

This would be a great @TuttleTwins book

[@user-gj8wo8lq9s]

It's too bad we have far left and far right "news" networks, but nothing libertarian (or even common sense) leaning.

[@toughbowtietruck]

The irony is Ron Swanson doesn't like government wasting money either.

[@AndyNg415]

“This COVID nonsense is obviously the government’s attempt to scare me into digging up my bullion reserves, which I will not, because I’m not scared of anything.” - Ron Swanson

[@jerryvelasco1474]

It's not irony, Ron once said he got into a government job to stop government growth. In a place he can stand more than an hour, but lacks the people skills to interact and not want to punch a person face in.

[@juniorvonclaire3576]

CLASSIC STOSSEL! Man, he’s awesome. I can’t leave an op, SO: Perhaps it’s obvious, but I think the fence is up to sell the “full camp” lie. Also, there might be anti-humanists 🤪 promoting the idea, plus spending the allocated money elsewhere. Last, I find it morally offensive that the taxpayers on the private side are paying more FOR BOTH SIDES... taxes going to the competition, the government. 🤢😔 Lastly (seriously), perhaps the few people who visit the government camp are elitists who want the nature to themselves, minus the awful humans who foot the bill.

[@JamesAcrossAmerica]

I would think John stossel would know better than to bad-mouth Ron Swanson. They both have such glorious libertarian mustaches.

[@mattdrives4757]

It's the Mustache. It makes you a Libertarian

[@erikekholm9617]

The 9 most dangerous words in the English language are “ I’m from the government and I’m here to help” Ronald Reagan

[@ws5273]

My senior quote lmao

[@raulosorio1781]

Yes and that was the beginning of the catastrophe that we are in today. Ronald Reagan started this fallacy that the government is the problem. The republican party and conservatives in general have been trying to destroy the government and the country by making it weak , by defunding not only programs that help the people but also agencies that protect the environment, the consumers and the workers to benefit big corporations that are now powerful monopolies and completely control the political system. They have been trying to privatize primary education with charter schools and make it unaffordable for most people, same thing with the USPS that even after all the burdens they place on it, is more efficient than UPS and FED EX together. Only idiots beleive that bs that private companies are better that government services.

[@zoisantonopoulos7999]

@@raulosorio1781 Are you dumb? Private businesses will run a business better than the government 99/100 of the time. Last time governments had full control of the economy 100 million people died.

[@killerb5726]

@@zoisantonopoulos7999 truer words have never been spoken.

[@UserName-ts3sp]

unfortunately reagan didn’t follow his own wise words

[@MishaGeorgevitch]

John Stossel, you are an awesome human being! Run for President and I will vote for you! Keep up the great work!

[@josealexi5141]

If the government can't run a campground, what makes you think they can handle healthcare?

[@beastshawnee4987]

bet u think the military is great tho...

[@kennypowers2341]

@@beastshawnee4987 im sure it is great but there are other militaries close to our level that prob dont spend anywhere near as much as we do

[@JohnSmith-qz6xb]

@@beastshawnee4987 as someone in it. It’s not.

[@mycupoverflows7811]

Or education

[@Shootskas]

I know they can't handle healthcare. Look at the VA.

[@jackmcslay]

Government: "we want you to socially isolate, that's why we're preventing you from leaving to a place where you'll be distant from everyone else and force you to stay on your regular home in a packed city" makes perfect sense.

[@palaceofwisdom9448]

Those girls were standing close to each other and not wearing muzzles. What if they start a conversation and realize that there are ideas other than the ones CNN gives us? If that happens the Marxist plan will be ruined.

[@catiex8826]

live in your cramped urban living space. order garbage food from delivery drivers. keep working from home. dont type anything bad online, or keep a gun with you to protect yourself from rampant crime or you'll be arrested. also your taxes just went up to pay for things other lazy people and criminals use, better start working harder! ahhh, freedom

[@SM77785]

It was intentionally planned that way for what is coming towards. Thanks to the people who control the gov behind the scenes.

[@os6552]

@@catiex8826 That was hilarious

[@jeremyc9229]

The waste has got to stop, and eventually it will, at the price of many.

[@smc1942]

My favorite bumper sticker.... "DON'T STEAL!!! The Government HATES competition."

[@tom-mo-]

When sitting on your couch at home pays more than an honest days work ($25 an hour) you are going to have staffing problems.

[@DblOSmith]

Exactly. I'm a doctor and I've lost count of how many clients have told me they can work but just aren't interested because of the money they're getting.

[@jamesbizs]

No one is getting $25 an hour in unemployment. They are getting a lot. But not $25.

[@tom-mo-]

@@jamesbizs last year in Missouri if you made $25 an hour or less you took home more to stay at home than to work a 40 hour week. I had several friends and coworkers that were on unemployment and their vacations were well enjoyed. If you less than full time it’s even better. And you are right they don’t pay $25 an hour you just get a check no hours required.

[@marvinfootpenis819]

Stossel using the Ron Swanson, circle desk meme is accurate AF

[@Burnlit1337]

Lol ya Stossel uses that meme and sets himself as the annoying ignorant and stupid citizen.

[@rileyhengel1100]

@JOE BLOW FROM COCOMOIf you have seen the full clip it's about a citizen who ignores a warning not to drink the water, and then complains to the government when she gets an infection because the water was contaminated.

[@Mitchell_is_smart._You2bs_dumb]

_the sign on the fountain said_ do not drink _so i made sun tea from it and now i have an infection, and i want to know what you are going to do about it_ basically inaccurate af

[@DJJ81]

Any use of a Ron swanson meme is awesome

[@spencernelson1560]

That private campground owner seems like a really friendly guy

[@ledzeppelin1212]

Makes sense. Government bureaucrats, on the other hand, are usually arrogant and rude!

[@clipty2463]

Its 'cause he's a Gauthier. :)

[@nymalous3428]

@@clipty2463 I went to school with one of them.

[@michaelbcohen]

it is called Customer Service, kinda needed for private business, say unlike the DMV

[@johnsmith6974]

@@michaelbcohen Yeah I loved the MSNBC special about the post office and how it needs money to "compete" with UPS, FedEx and Amazon in delivering mail or packages. If private companies can do it better and faster why do I care for the mailman? I've had some good relationships with my mailman or woman but most of the time packages are left at the mailbox or all my mail is just left at the box. But the ups, fedex or amazon guys typically leave it right at the door or pull in the drive way just to keep packages from getting soo much rain on them as they walk them up to the door. Not to mention the private delivery company guys try their best to leave a good impression that typically I get the same guy for my packages and I like that.

[@cecilianorris4449]

"What can we do?" So true. Even if we vote for less government programs,, there are too many idiots who vote for big government spenders because they want their free stuff!

[@ladyjade6446]

Same in Canada. Seems like the majority want more benefits.

[@jenifercaterton78]

Same in most countries its 2021, if you fight ot and refuse handouts you just lose, lose with pride but still lose, I know I'm one of those people

[@jb8408]

There’s too many logistics, the government can never run things as well as individuals

[@stevecook413]

Sadly it is time to vote with a rope. At least ropes can be reused.

[@JohnRinNoHo]

"Everything government touches turns to crap" - Sir Richard Starky, aka Ringo Starr

[@Deborahtunes]

Ringo was also for leaving the EU. He said: "It's our country, and we have a right to run it as we wish", (paraphrasing)...

[@IMCcanTWEESTED]

Conservative talk-show host Dennis Prager has a similar saying. Everything the left touches...it ruins! What is the left all about? Big government. Control of EVERYTHING!

[@lanceanderson5826]

It's not just government, it's blue states that are ridiculous, and Massachusetts is the second most blue state there is, right behind Vermont. Vote Republican!!! PLEASE!!!

[@marcusevangeliste7426]

The government couldn't run a lemonade stand in the desert without losing money, if the government ran the Sahara desert it would run out of sand in 6 months

[@mrredacted85]

@@lanceanderson5826 I do agree with you fully, however I would say that voting down Party lines is stupid. I think that when you cast a vote for a governor or a president you should research their policies before you do so. I mean a person that mostly votes Republican would vote for a Republican candidate but maybe there might a election Where you might not even notice that the Democratic candidate is more aligned with your values than a Republican and vice versa

[@skystryker2300]

That long wooden fence is a perfect representation of government: Cut down tons of trees to block the view from even more trees.

[@williamweigt7632]

Using wood! 😂

[@bigpjohnson]

During a federal shutdown about 6 years ago, they fenced off the National Monuments in D.C. and hired security guards. Those same areas are open 24/7/365 with no guards normally! They just wanted to visibly deter and hurt people to show why govt is so necessary.

[@dolphin1160]

This guy is 73 years old and still going strong what a legend !

[@onastick2411]

What I'd like to know, is why the government bought a campsite in the first place?

[@TheWestlandgirl]

Government bought a Campground with OUR TAX DOLLARS. Unconstitutional. Then they have the gall to not allow us use of the Campground.

[@onastick2411]

@@TheWestlandgirl As the recent election shows, the Constitutions, country and state, don't matter. Changing the election rules was clearly unconstitutional, but no court would enforce it. So, if there's no sanction what's the point of even mentioning the Constitution? They are nothing more than bits of paper, to be ignored when it's inconvenient.

[@MOMOFCJ6]

@@onastick2411 unless you're forced to

[@luckyintheorder]

This is the type of reporting where you shine John. Nicely done sir.

[@waterisvodka]

In Utah, The camping is nothing like this, The government "run" campsites are more getting a permit, they have no employees and people figure themselves out. But the best camping is just going to a national forest and set up wherever you please (For the most part). Leave No Trace of course.

[@d283jdsk2]

In my part of the UK we always wild camp. Why pay to stay when you can hike and have a better day? Tourists etc always go to the campsites though. Only really the locals hike out and wild camp. The tourists that do "wild camp" never go far from the carparks. (Where they shouldn't be camping).

[@musek5048]

@@d283jdsk2 probably smart on the tourists part considering they dont know the area and can easily get lost/attacked by wildlife/kidnapped by aliens, cults, or serial killers in big forests.

[@dracphelan]

Yes, free. Look up the term boondocking. In most National forests you can camp for free in designated areas. Some let you camp free anywhere except for the designated campgrounds. You just have to bring your own water and take your trash out when you leave.

[@kriegscommissarmccraw4205]

The BSA scoutgrounds are an absolute joke though

[@d283jdsk2]

@@musek5048 No forests here mate. Moorland. Can be dangerous if you don't know where the bogs are. My experience of tourists is they have no clue how to read a map. And from a navigational sense the repetitiveness of the hills (unless you know them well) can confuse some people.

[@Infamous_B_C]

Work outdoors, 25$ an hour, no customers. My dream job

[@YouLoveBeef]

The funny thing is, I'd BET there is some sort of "quotas" that need to be filled to be eligible for that position. That's why they 'can't find' anyone to do the job. They are probably red-taping themselves out of finding someone, cause yea as you said, sounds like an awesome gig.

[@b-genspinster7895]

It’s Massachusetts though. Even the campground empty will be obnoxious and rude.

[@matthewgardner2144]

@@b-genspinster7895 How come John doesn't live in a more Deplorable Red State? Why is he living like such a liberal elite if he hates it so.

[@mtadams2009]

@@b-genspinster7895 I have camped in Mass many times and always had a wonderful time. I have camped in NH and other states and its been hell. It all depends on who is running the campground. I also don't think they are paying people 25.00 to work there. Maybe the person running the whole place. John is full of crap.

[@b-genspinster7895]

@@matthewgardner2144 liberals want the freedom red states provide then like the Californian, they don’t like it and then proceed to change it to the hell hole Massachusetts is only in a more arrogant and rude way. I watched New Mexico turn from something harmonious and tranquil and good vibes to the sniveling shit box it is now because of the very arrogant pre mentioned groups.

[@ramjamflimflam]

Mr. Stossel please keep up with these examples of the lunacy of big government!!

[@singncarpenter6270]

Keep em coming John. Thanks for a lifetime of honest reporting. You are missed.

[@Spanishproject123100]

Stossel is stepping up his meme game and I'm all for it.

[@lynnbabe678]

Haha! Yes, very entertaining!

[@jabronjunklove760]

He memes what he says and says what he memes. I like that.

[@vn773]

gotta attract them millennials too

[@jaytea4093]

Don't even bother trying to go camping in Massachusetts. I live in Massachusetts and everyone who wants to go camping goes up to New Hampshire where the regulations aren't as tight.

[@zang9147]

Don't listen to this person. NH camping is horrible, there's no scenery and the state sales tax is 50%.

[@Liberty4Ever]

Don't go too far north. I've seen park signs from Canada that are an exhaustive list of prohibitions. No camping. No dogs. No motorcycles. No fires. No hunting. No swimming. Ad infinitum.

[@BlueScreenHF]

​@@zang9147 This like sarcasm to keep the libtards out or something? Last I checked New Hampshire is sitting at 0% sales and state income tax

[@Y.M...]

@@BlueScreenHF if it's as good as it's made out to be, I'd be trying to keep it a secret, too

[@goddy5890]

Live free or die baaabbbbyyyyy

[@jenniferlzr5651]

Texas parks have been open this whole time. They’re nice.

[@eeyespytran4988]

Yeah more recently but part of 2020 they were closed and we had to camp in OK. I think that was earlier on during the pandemic.

[@mekon1971]

I used to be able to go into a state park (Texas) on a day pass, last time I went I had to get online, make a reservation at least 7-days in advance and indicate how long I would be staying, either morning or afternoon. They haven't been open the whole time.

[@okuyasunijimura5963]

Ron Swanson in a JOHN STOSSEL video?? absolutely legendary.

[@getprobed838]

That clip of the guy going around in circles to avoid the lady was seriously hilarious.

[@HuntingTarg]

I think it’s from a movie or a sitcom.

[@thecheapgamer1299]

Its off of a show called parks and recreation.

[@HuntingTarg]

@@thecheapgamer1299 How apropos

[@Fiery154]

I have loved John Stossel since I was about 10 years old and watching him on ABC. He has a very accessible reporting style which is easy to understand. His reporting made News something that was accessible and interesting even to a child. He has always defended the “little guy” and pointed out when things are unfair. 2+ decades of love to you John!

[@chayes954r]

John I've been watching you for many years and you are quite simply one of the best reporters ever. Keep up the good work!

[@karl1949]

Brilliant storyline, love your store telling style John. Interestingly enough I worked at a park this summer, a government run park and they put a fence up this year too! There's more to this no doubt, smells a bit campy and where there's smoke, there's usually government with matches and a wet blanket. The branch I worked/work for has an insane policy about color matching everything, right down to the pre fabricated screw heads, it's more then obsessive it's purposeful wastefulness. Something is not adding up in tax land, like maintenance on imported Brazilian hardwood in a unique area via a provincially run system continuing to promote a public perception of preservation of the natural world, just not the Brazilian rain forest ...and forsure not our tax dollars. Truthfully at over $1500.00 dollars per month per site, I started jokingly calling them slum lords but then I suddenly stopped laughing, catching my breath underneath my government sanctioned mask😷. 🏔️🗻🏔️ ...things that make you go hmmm like Machiavellian, Bernays and Orwell...

[@AtlasReburdened]

Not only does he have to compete against the government which is operating at a loss. _They're charging_ *_him_* _to cover that loss._

[@johnhutchison9782]

Blue state. Not surprised.

[@bearicade5582]

It will be a terrible day for America If we lose John Stossel. You,Sir, Are a national Treasure.

[@laughingdaisies]

I COMPLETELY AGREE! If everyone who just watched one of his videos and donates $5.00...it would help him make these videos! I donated!!! 😀

[@cgtow2759]

Not at all. America is doomed. We're at the point of no return. All this talking and voting did nothing. The election was stolen so how do we do anything? Oh yea we can't do anything.

[@thedave7760]

@@cgtow2759 Maricopa county happening now. watch scottsdalestudios on YT.

[@cgtow2759]

@@thedave7760 oh wow 1 little county. Like the gun sanctuary city's. Its a joke it won't work. Do you think the local cops will come and save you from the feds? No they'll let then do what ever they want. Its a fucking joke you people think we can vote are way out of this

[@thedave7760]

@@cgtow2759 Try not to take too many black pills there is always hope however slim that chance may seem.

[@Giant28]

That parks and rec scene was gold

[@caedom21]

I’ve been watching you John for as long as I can remember. And you’ve always been the most reasonable person with common sense logic and a darn fine American. Keep on keeping on!

[@classonbread5757]

John is the only one I share every opinion with. Everyone else I disagree on with atleast something. Not with John.

[@UncleKennysPlace]

I disagree with John on one thing: I've stopped coloring my hair. Otherwise ...

[@samhouston5217]

Same... I agree a ton with Tucker Carlson too.

[@orusandornots1915]

I disagree with John on a few things. Like his hair. Guy needs a new haircut in my humble opinion.

[@teenyverse7707]

Yup... I grew up with him. ABC lost a real reporter.

[@dbadaddy7386]

I may not agree with everything he says, but I certainly find myself agreeing more often, and even when I disagree, I've had to think about it. He genuinely attempts to hear out the other sides and does not ridicule them merely for not responding. I've read most of his books. One of his best pieces was in trying to start a business around the world. In New York it would have taken months and thousands of dollars, in Singapore a couple of hours and under a hundred bucks. Ah, the land of freedom...

[@dand33911]

This is why the "govt" shouldn't own land period.

[@balcersaurus]

Highly disagree. In Colorado most of the land is government owned and you can go out and do pretty much whatever you want. Some states just suck.

[@Liberty4Ever]

It's no accident that the worst EPA Superfund cleanup sites are on government land. Globally, the worst toxic waste dumps are soviet land. The former Soviet Union was the pinnacle of government writ large. It's the tragedy of the commons. When government owns it, nobody is responsible for it so the property is ruined.

[@cowmaneater1243]

@Ken MacDonald I do target shooting as a pastime. I can tell you that in my experience I prefer to shoot on state land as opposed to private ranges. There are less rules (surprisingly) and just as safe (any time I've seen another person we make an impromptu firing line etc). Private ranges have all kinds of rules im sure for insurance reasons. Now if I had my OWN private land to do this on it'd be even better

[@lolwtnick4362]

@Ken MacDonald "better" how? i can walk thru my city park all day and eat and sleep. i walk thru my neighbors yard and they cry and call the cops. does that help?

[@angelomartyr]

INCLUDING THE NATIVE RESERVATIONS!

[@NHJDT]

I think a 5th grader can grasp this concept. I wonder why so many adults don't. Great reporting, we can always count on John Stossel to do what the others can't or won't

[@yuca2k1]

Thank you Mr.Stossel

[@hubifornia]

I like Stossel, he always lifts up the carpet so you can see the dirt for yourself.

[@krisa5896]

The government is the only entity that can with absolute certainty turn gold into lead. The reverse Midas touch.

[@whathappened2230]

Thank you for all you do Mr. John Stossel!

[@LuisGarcia-tt2vs]

God Bless you John Stossel !

[@Mirchev]

John keep up the good work!!! Very true

[@thesprinklerguy2598]

I'm starting to learn with every video john stossel posts there's no end to the stupidity of our government

[@Turk380]

or to Stossel.

[@ickster23]

@@Turk380 Found the socialist 😉

[@jeremyanderson3819]

So do you know why the government bought the camp? No. Then you dont know ANYTHING about the value of its use. But go ahead and pat yourself on the back for being an easily manipulated sheep and agreeing with whatever john says.

[@kimberlywiederhold627]

It didn't take a Stossel video.

[@thesprinklerguy2598]

@@kimberlywiederhold627 true, just look at the ones making the laws... They have no clue. I just meant he gives plenty of examples on why they're soo dumb.

[@vanvorst1999]

😳 Don't steal because the government hates competition! 🤣

[@timsmith1125]

Bravo to you for a very good presentation on the stark differences between private businesses and government run enterprises. The biggest difference is that a business does as much as it can to keep customers happy so people will come back, yet the government run campground will continue to exist because it doesn’t need to make a profit.

[@izafanime]

Liberals: "Fences don't work!" Also liberals: "Let's protect this campground by cutting down trees to build a fence around it."

[@randysmith9841]

The fence is just another example of politicians and bureaucrats who love to spend other people's money.

[@AnuarKronfel]

Putting up a fence made up of dead trees😂

[@SoloRenegade]

the fences block wildlife movement too

[@longshot7601]

The left doesn't have a clue about pretty much anything. They are all emotion with little or no rational thought. A leftist government couldn't run a lemonade stand. A conservative government would be hard pressed to run one too but at least they understand that a private citizen could do better. Government lemonade stand: (1) Administrator - @$150K/year (2 - 4) Executive staff members - $40 - 75K/year (5) People to actually work the lemonade stand. - $40 - 75K/year Breakdown of lemonade stand personel: (1) Manager overseeing operation - $75K/year (2) Observers verifying proper operation of stand - $50K/year each (1) Purchasing specialist to run to the store to buy lemons - $50K/year (1) Person to actually work the stand $40K/year Overall it would cost about a half million dollars per year AND produce a total of a 5 glasses of lemonade per day...excluding weekends and holidays. There will eventually be a group that will demand that special groups get their lemonade for free and that others should pay more. (Are you still reading this? If so, why?) That will add at least two people to the roster to determine and execution of a pricing structure. Since the total output is 5 glasses a day the glasses will have to be rationed per need. Since need exceeds production new lemonade stands will need to be opened.

[@smeefbeef367]

I’m just honestly curious what liberal said fences don’t won’t and how can a fence “not work”?

[@davidg2479]

We need a way to hold the government accountable for when they do dumb things like this, which happens more often than most people think as it turns out...

[@DeadLuckArchives]

Some might say its the majority of what they do... Somehow they manage to use their own failures as an example of why we need more of their help too.

[@amascia8327]

I think it's called, "elections."

[@rondunlop985]

@@amascia8327 - yeah except places like Mass keep voting Dem even though nothing ever gets better. Keep the red states red and let MA, CA, NY, OR, WA... implode.

[@InTheYear]

@@rondunlop985 Great Idea!! Flood the state with people that need help and they’ll care enough to vote.

[@Matt-vn6es]

It’s the reason subsidiarity is so important. It increases the impact of your vote so informed people can (hopefully) outweigh the votes of uninformed people.

[@znmckague]

John Stossel deserves a spot in the libertarian pantheon with Ron Paul, John McAfee, Ludwig von Mises, Murray Rothbard and Ayn Rand

[@honeysauce5244]

Don't forget Ron Swanson

[@raconteur5195]

Go, John Stossel. You again make it look so easy to find unexpected examples of government vs citizens.

[@samhouston5217]

Now imagine that the US Government took over Health care!!! Oh Lord help us all!

[@paulht3251]

Look no further then the Veterans administration health care system. Talk about waste of taxpayers money 💵

[@martymcfly5423]

Obamacare??

[@samhouston5217]

@Beetlejuice yes they do come to the US. you're right.

[@MrRedsjack]

Italy that has one of the world best public healthcare is still a mess. It's cost is enormous, works best for illegal immigrants that just don't pay anything, many things that you pay trough your taxes you still have to pay them again in you make more than 1000$/month (since you can afford it), you often have to wait months to get an appointment, sometimes years for non urgent surgery (like a hip replacement). Big surgery is almost free compared to USA that's true but when you run the numbers unless you are really close to be completely broke it would be cheaper and much better to use private insurance. Still leaving people to die in a Western country because they can't afford to pay a doctor is shameful, my personal opinion should be that insurance should be mandatory (but you get to choose which one) and for those that truly can't afford it each american state to build something like a big military hospital where young doctors should serve one year (paid but not too much) and offer free treatment but in a very Spartan way, such that you would want to get insurance but that still you will not be left dying for a simple problem. I think one large hospital like that in each state is a good solution and should be quite affordable.

[@barnabyjones6995]

@Beetlejuice is that the Communist Mayor of Chicago, Larry LOOTfoot?😆😆😆

[@TheMichaelMove]

Anyone read “Grapes of Wrath?” This is what a real “gubmint” camp is like.

[@johnhernandez6654]

I noticed that Steinbeck tried to make the government camp look perfect. My guess is that he was a huge fan of big government.

[@stoundingresults]

When the Family going West bumps with the folks going back East because they said that California was no good. And the Okies still struggled to make a living.

[@TheMichaelMove]

@@johnhernandez6654 was he ever.....

[@steve-ux7jg]

I watched the movie

[@MrPGC137]

@@johnhernandez6654 Well, what's interesting is that, like Orwell, Steinbeck was a believer in Socialism in the beginning, but in his later years, he got wise to its deficiencies and eventually became strongly anti-Communist in his views. (Not coincidentally, when he turned anti-Communist, he started receiving heavy condemnation & criticism from all the Leftist press...)

[@billjenkins687]

Stossel, you have not lost your golden touch.

[@Steve_Chandler]

Love your channel, keep it up. Few places provide fair and honest fact based reporting anymore.

[@N8RVD]

Fortunately, Tax-achussetts is not representative of all government-run camping facilities. States like Georgia, Tennessee, Florida and many others have excellent examples of state-run campgrounds which can be well run and welcoming to all. All campgrounds, private and public have their share of issues. But Mass is a primer on what NOT to do!

[@samuelebincoletto637]

The problem is how exactly does the state-run campgrounds in the states you talk about are able to work? The private ones have to be efficient because if not they lose money so it's easy to assume why they work well but i don't understand how the public ones you mentioned can be effective.

[@N8RVD]

@@samuelebincoletto637 Good question. The state parks mentioned are at or near capacity through out their seasons. They also supplement the camping revenues with non-camping revenues (day use, camp stores, pavilion rentals, tours, boat rentals, etc.). I am not familiar with the actual balance sheet of each campground, and I cannot state that they are all run efficiently. However, I will say that they do provide a good service that is in high demand, and at a good price. That sounds like a good business model to me, so I have to tip my hat to them. Thanks!

[@throatwobblermangrove8510]

So the government can be said to run "mostly successful" campgrounds? And "mostly fire-free" forests, too, probably. ;-)

[@riqqarddopv7918]

Cool but I'd still like to keep my money government taxing me to start their own business not cool

[@N8RVD]

@@riqqarddopv7918 Indeed. The government should NOT be in the business of running campgrounds, or much else, I'm afraid. That said, there are still an unfortunately small number of examples where government operations are better than others.

[@watchdealer11]

Stossel finds stories nobody else can.

[@1VaDude]

John Stossel needs to be the moderator for Presidential debates.

[@tessmolloy2388]

The campground owner asks “what can we do?” I’ll tell you what you can do, stop voting Democrat!

[@mandoman2874]

Haha

[@dlakerguy]

I doubt very many business owners vote democrat.

[@matthewgardner2144]

@@dlakerguy Guess again.

[@ratpudding]

stop voting for corrupt politicians.

[@steve89084]

@@ratpudding lol, you mean you found a politician that ISN'T corrupt? ;)

[@bigredracer7848]

The government doesn't have to pay taxes on the land that's why they can cut the rates

[@IluvinortheIneffable]

They also dont have to operate at a profit. They can lose money

[@binyaminroscher4516]

They also don't care about their customers which is why there are none.

[@IluvinortheIneffable]

@Shawn Patricio The answer is to remove funding and cut down on the bureaucracy. It will force them to operate more efficiently like a business. They've got no incentive to produce a good service, just to look good playing office politics. If you're just a cog in the machine, you just want to make money and keep your boss happy. If your boss is more worried about getting reelected than providing a good service, then it will show. Vote for reps that will actually improve the services rather than initiate closures to look like they're doing their part. That involves getting rid of reelection incentives and providing incentives based on good service. If our park department leaders' pay was dependent on good performance, they would improve the performance.

[@ADKMan]

In NY, late last spring they ordered private campgrounds to close bathrooms and showers while keeping their own open!!

[@onerider808]

I sure appreciate your viewpoint and objective reporting, John.

[@stevepd1]

Great video John. Glad to see you exposing waste. Keep on truckin. God bless you.

[@joebowd4726]

John it's a similar situation in Australia. The government restrictions are making thing far worse............camping in government camp ground use to be free with no hot showers etc. Fees came in to "help pay for infrastructure" but the money was wasted on employing more people to check if you've paid. I've heard stories where it's costing 50% more in wages then is collected in fees to collect money for something that was free before.

[@Matt123a]

And the WA govt has an Act for private camping grounds, which is voluminous. Why can't they just let the free market decide? Socialism.

[@sloth6765]

How incredibly on point this topic is. Trying to enjoy the outdoors this year have been a huge pain, with all state run campgrounds either closed or running their booking through Campgrounds USA (Ticketmaster) which tacks on booking fees and prohibits campgrounds from taking walk-in customers. I've walked into campgrounds that are mostly empty, asked to get a site and be denied by the government camp hosts, referring me to the website policy.

[@joeg5414]

This is why my idea of camping is packing everything I need in a backpack, hiking 5 miles to a remote stream, set up camp wherever I feel, and spend a few days fishing without seeing another person the whole time.

[@de3481]

This video offers a great analogy for government-run healthcare. I've always compared it to dealing with the DMV: Who in their right mind looks forward to dealing with the DMV if you have to figure out a driver's license or vehicle tag problem? Why would you purposefully allow the same bureaucratic idiocracy to make life or death decisions when you're hurt or sick? The reason government-run-anything sucks is that they have no competition. This means no effort, desire, or incentive to do better.

[@daniellassander]

Its the same everywhere, here in Sweden too but for a different reason. Here the private camping spots offer a far better service, they sell propane, they have minor shops, they have showers which costs a little bit of money, but they are good showers, the state ran side has no shops, no propane and the showers arent painted and have ice cold concrete floors often without a place to lockin your personal belongings. If you need help on the private ran side there are staff eager to help you, on the state side you cant find the staff anywhere, and if you find them they arent willing to help, they are more likely to kick you out for using the wrong propane or have it hooked up in a way they arent used to. They go about telling people what to do and tell them they are doing things wrong. On the private side if your propane is hooked up a bit unusual they will look at it and say "yes this works" or something like "you will probably have a small leak here but you can borrow this fitting and it should hold up fine during your stay". On the private side they hire in entertainment like ballads and singers, have karaoke and a bar, on the state ran side you have silence and mosquitos, and more busy bodies telling everyone to be silent past 10pm and go back into their trailer or tent and not be outdoors and have fun with other people. On the private side disagreements are solved by the people involved and most people are willing to help you getting into a good position which works for everyone, on the state ran side of things its rules and endless more rules. The people working there arent interested in making things work, they want people to leave so they dont have to do any work. On the private side its the opposite the staff are eager to help and try to accomodate you in every way possible and no wonder they want to make money, the state ran side doesnt have to., the staff gets paid if they have 0 visitors so no wonder they are so different. On the private side you often see the same staff year after year, and you know them by name and they know you by name too. On the state side the staff changes every year and they dont know you and you dont know them. You cant even compare them because they are too different, even though they are supposed to be the same thing.

[@totalcombustion1418]

So did anyone figure out why the state camp was so empty? Besides the BS answer of no employees...

[@Liberty4Ever]

With no profit motive, government is rewarded with tax dollars to manage a camp. People camping there is just more work with no more reward.

[@manboob5000]

Probably lack of advertisement. The private one could be a part of a network like KoA which will drive people in. Lastly, good campgrounds, private or public, tend to pull repeat customers and the change of ownership could discourage those people from coming.

[@Stevessphoto]

and did we find out why there was a sign saying No Vacancy?

[@TheMichaelMove]

Almost certainly because the park employees there are, much like the teachers, are getting paid anyway. Why go to work when you get paid whether you show up or not?

[@c_b5060]

I thought is was that all of the empty spaces had already been reserved but the people did not come there because of fear of Covid.

[@tfcompleteprivate6312]

Great job as always John exposing the grotesque waste in govt. They had limited hours at another beach not far from that we can drive on in jeeps. Told us they couldn’t hire enough people to do nothing but check stickers and work in on of the most beautiful part of Cape Cod. I call bullshit because every time we went there there was 3-4 “employees” standing around doing what govt workers do....not much. Hello from Yarmouth!

[@DustyCowdog]

Mr. Stossel is converting me into a staunch Libertarian. He had it right all these years.

[@lancegordon5492]

John Stossel is the Larry David of news reporting and I love him for it

[@trixiemcfly8584]

Only the government can ruin an innocent camping experience. Also, slug bug @ 1:10

[@glennllewellyn7369]

A happy little slug bug!

[@WesternOhioInterurbanHistory]

69 likes, nice

[@TheAnimeist]

John, You're a national treasure! We love you man.

[@_Dovar_]

There are other kinds of camps governments sometimes build...

[@anderander5662]

That's probably coming if you say the wrong thing or think wrong..

[@barsoom43]

Yeah.. and they will keep them fully staffed and armed with guns that they don't want citizens to have.. Welcome to Fascist America..

[@BLUELEADER78]

Darn. I just can't recall what kind of camps you're alluding to, I just need to concentrate.

[@bigbirdmusic8199]

1:34 quality edit. Top tier meme.

[@ardentglazier2867]

This is a good example of why governments should be kept small. If it becomes too large, it's impossible to keep it accountable for its mistakes. No doubt there are some bureaucrats getting paid full freight in spite of the fact their assets are losers. Unfortunately there are few politicians who really are for small, accountable government.

[@brittanimakepeace5424]

I remembered watching John as a teenager and just loving everything he did. I suck at KZbin n suck being a 33 year old that doesn't even have a Facebook and my boyfriend shown me he was on here! Needless to say I've watched everything at least 3x lol I found libertarian with him as a teen and I love he is still out there educating! THANK YOU!

[@mabelheinzle8758]

Great reporting- thank you John

[@rodrigogordon7338]

I live in Massachusetts and would love to work there

[@RicoLen1]

I saw this too back in June when our family took our summer vacation together. Everyone was supposed to be practicing social distancing, and there is no better way to social distance than to go out into the country with an RV, but all the parks were closed. I mean, I get shutting down the stores, and perhaps limiting parking and such in areas that tend to get crowded, but with all the social outcry about staying away from one another, I would think that would be enough for those who already decided that an RV trip is the way to get out and away from people. Regardless, you couldn't go to Yellowstone, Yosemite, the Grand Canyon, or almost anywhere else in the West except Death Valley. So stupid.

[@andyfletcher3561]

For a while at least, NYC beaches you could go to the beach but not in the water, and in Cali you could go in the water but not on the beach...

[@biffmasterson9786]

Wow this IS hard hitting investigative journalism. Well done. Bwahahaha

[@Phat737]

Another brilliant point. Thank you.

[@Gamer1st1]

Brilliant. Put up a huge wooden fence, in an area where there’s a “high fire risk”. That won’t burn like tires soaked in transmission fluid at all....

[@minavanderleest9493]

Governments shouldn't be allowed to own ANY businesses. Basics only.

[@furtim1]

Correct!

[@HuntingTarg]

State & fed. gov’ts. should need court permission to operate anything in a market environment. Not everything can be privatized - but in my opinion most things than can be, should be.

[@Sp1der44]

Great work John and Team.

[@hypnopooper6252]

I had similar experiences in Yellowstone, Grand Tetons, and Glacier NP while camping there in late June through mid July. The campsites were basically empty, yet all of the R/V parks in the immediate area were full. In Yellowstone, the showers were closed but the laundry facilities in the same building were open to the public. We had to drive 45 miles to a Laundromat to shower. It made no sense. In Glacier NP the park services closed campgrounds and turned them into parking lots for day visitors., and yep you guessed it, every RV park near the entrance to the park was filled.

[@gravijta936]

I hear there's free camping at your local, mostly peaceful, tent city.

[@lonesometinman3147]

The town i live in the tent city is right next to the soup kitchen. Did some work ther for a private contractor. The serving portions there are huge. .most men who I saw.enjoying lunch there looked healthy enough to work. For a living . the mentality of lots of people is why work to buy a cow when the cheese is free ? Sad . when I was a kid they were called Lazy Bums. Now they're called homeless

[@syfyrytr1652]

Incentive. ANYthing operated by government bureaucracy has NO INCENTIVE. Do the least to merely maintain funding coming in.

[@toneybond547]

What a waste, when bureaus thrive the citizen suffers!! Thanks for another great report on STUPID GOVERNMENT

[@1towmater1]

I'm from the government and I'm here to help..... RUN!

[@TheMotoManiac]

Ron Swanson is a libertarian. We need more people like him in local government, I'd gladly pay their yearly salaries with taxes if they just did NOTHING

[@mackcummy4976]

They closed public campgrounds here in Canada and I thought it was weird too.

[@MrWoodsense]

There are times where state campgrounds are run well. Western Iowa has beautiful campsites, well run and full during the good seasons. The success of a government is determined by its employees and its mission.

[@armandodesousa6375]

John Stossel does such good work- keep it coming. AN ADMIRER IN

[@HK-ns6bn]

That is very sad. In Michigan they were all open and mostly full.

[@amascia8327]

Even under Witchmer? Amazing.

[@HK-ns6bn]

@@amascia8327 Michiganders are to strong to let her ruin are camping

[@amascia8327]

@@HK-ns6bn 👍🏼

[@AlecMarie1]

They had plenty of applicants.... Just not the correct kind.

[@Emanemoston]

Thanks John.

[@johnthompson5792]

be well out there John,,!

[@alsaunders7805]

I didn't know Stossel had a YT channel, subbed immediately! 🤓🍻

[@syntaxerror831]

Can you imagine just running into John Stossel on your camping trip?

[@mervinsmith7507]

You are a good reporter and tell the story the whole story thanks

[@missmegan3694]

Keep up the great work, Mr. Stossel. We sure appreciate the light that you shed on the hidden corners of the world.