If anyone ever doubted that Michael Jackson loved being and entertainer, loved his fans and loved California, all doubts should finally be put to ease.
If anyone ever doubted that California was the true Entertainment Capital, those doubts too should be put to rest. Not only are the popular entertainers and the not so popular entertainers providing us with shows and various forms of entertainment, but the Politicains, the media, businesses and law enforcement too provide us with their own various forms of entertainment.
Lets look at the reality! California is cashing in on the passing of one of the most prominent and well loved entertainers of all time. However, our beloved California anounced last week that the state is broke and that IOU's will be paid out to vendors and those receiving State Aid such as State Disability (a tax taken from our paychecks), instead of checks they owe. They are doing it without the bat of an eye and no apology to the people for not being able to decide on a budget. In addition State Workers (some that is) and offices will have to close down an additional Friday, bringing the total up to 3 Fridays per month that some services like DMV are not available. Might as well make it a month of Fridays.
The sad reality to it all is that when we get our paychecks, we can't say " Oh wait California, don't take that disability tax this week, let me just issue an IOU".
Then there's out sympathetic Counsilwoman Ms. Perry, who basically expressed her concerns on two occassions (the Laker Parade & the Michael Jackson Memorial), that the city is short on funds and that it's going to cost a bundle to provide police protection and presense at these events. Fans were basically told they may as well, if they don't have tickets to the Memorial to sit at home and watch it.
Add all of that to the media announcement of the Memorial and how tickets would be dispersed with instructions to register on-line in a lottery type setting, it makes you wonder, will California survive financially?
Well don't shed tears for California just yet. Let's take a look at what Michael Jackson gave us. When the announcement of the Memorial tickets came out, there were an estimated 1.6 million people worldwide who applied. The site basically said at the bottom of it during the application process, open to US residents only. However, that did change into a Worldwide acceptance of applications to allow Michaels fans across to globe to participate. But it's a little bigger than that.
The media then announced through television news, online news and other forms of publications that an estimated 750,000 people were expected to travel to California for the event. Now those who were lucky enough to win would certainly have to get to California by Monday to claim their wristbands. So, we ask ourselves, if 750,000 people are expected to arrive in LA, won't that bring revenue to the State via airlines, travel, hotels, attractions, restaurants, shopping and entertainment? Let's not forget about transportation.
And then we have the actual residents of LA in which probably only a hand full won tickets will celebrate as we normally do whenever there's something to celebrate. Won't the residents, the state of California tax payers contribute to the revenue by gathering at places where the Memorial will be seen via big screen? Won't the residents buy drinks, buy food and memorbilia in their attempt to be a part of the going home ceramony? The answer to all of those questions is, of course California will bring in mega bucks. That is Michaels gift to California. California has always and will continue to prosper off Michael Jackson.
Then we look at the media and how virtually every major and not so major network has broadcasted everything from the time Michael went to the hospital and still continue to broadcast. I went to the Staples Center on Friday and you could not walk on the sidewalk a block before even arriving at the center because media trucks were parked on the sidewalks, camping out as if they were at a summitt. I'm sure their ratings have gone through the roof and of course ultimately driving up their reveue. As a matter of fact, NBC who originally stated that they would not broadcast the memorial quickly changed their minds when realizing that this was a capitalistic opportunity to cash in.
So, now what? The budget has not been agreed upon by the State, but I'm pretty sure that folliwing this event and after counting how much money the State raked in, a budget will be set. Afterall, taxe from every business will have to be paid to the State for their increased revenue from the Memorial.
Politicians of California and Ms. Perry, I say shame on you. Shame one the State for issuing IOU's to those who have been faithful to California instead of diverting this crisis before it happened. How about streamlining the aid you are giving to those who never paid a tax in their life. Shame on you for doing such an aweful thing to the people who supported this State. Not just the businesses, but the individuals who work hard every single day. And, those businesses that have not taken their money in an attempt to not pay taxes. What about those businesses that are ripping the State off by foregoing taxes and sending their work overseas, just to avoid paying payroll taxes and State taxes?
And, Counselwoman, shame on you. You should be applauding everyone willing to travel here for this event in addition to the residents for helping the city of LA generate revenue. Shame on you for not giving us the positive facts on how LA will gain revenue via all the venues available in that area. Shame on you for telling the residents in a non sympathetic warning to stay at home. Shame on you for begging for help to pay for this. Shame on you for making the fans of the Lakers and Michael Jackson feel guilty for wanting to be a part of the festivities.
The Laker parade Ms. Perry was our right as a city. You attempted to take that away over money. But what about all the money made by fans buying Laker tickets, all the venues Laker fans spent money at in the Staple area everytime there was a game. All the money made on other fans across the US who traveled here to cheer their teams on when they played the Lakers. Shame on you for telling us how much it's going to cost, but not telling us how much was made. Let us not forget all the parking that has to be paid for just for coming into LA because of course there is no where to park. And, to avoid parking, what about the boost in revenue to the trains and bus systems. Ms. Perry, you should be thanking us.
LA owes the fans a chance to grieve without the guilt that you continuously impose upon us.
And, to the media, shame, shame shame on you. You are the very one's who have tried for over 20 years to defame Michael Jackson. You repeatedly reported everything negative and manipulated the world about not only an entertainer, but a father, a man and just in general a great human. A human who has given more than you the media has given. You tried to break not only Michael, but his spirit as well and ou continue to do so while cashing in on it at the same time.
In closing, I'd like to Thank Michael Jackson as I'm sure all his fans are. Michael, I know you hear us and have always heard us. You have heard our cries, our need for help to those who could not help themselves, our need to be bonded in empathy and compassion. You bonded a world with charity, laughter and amazingly great times. You bonded us with the true art of your entertainment and we than you. I know Mr. Michael Jackson that you will always be with us as you have left something that many people only dream they could leave upon their parting, and that was a legacy.
We Thank you, the man, the entertainer and the humanitarian. Thank you for your final farewell gift to us. And, to all the fans, regardless of what the Politicians and media have stated, I urge you to ignore the negativity and on Tuesday as said by Prince "Party like it's 1999". Michael Jackson is worthy of this and it is the least would could do to show our gratitude.
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