Save CA Drumcorps

[taters]

My corps does have a major type of fundraiser that it does, and were it to go away, it would definitely hurt. However, you would never hear propaganda like this to try and save it. They would work together and find alternate sources of funding that were not subject to these sort of laws, ones that would be more stable, if not as lucrative. This has actually happened to us several times, and I'm beyond proud of the way that the BoD handled the situations, without driving us into a plethora of debt.

A cry to say saving drum corps screams of unnecssary hyperbole. Drum corps would go on, albeit not at the same level for a time. If they do fold for some odd reason and have to take a year or two off, I would not shed a tear due to a lack of planning.

The key to it all is diversification. I've not seen a plan from any of these groups that emphasizes that.

BTW Mike, your post speaks of typical liberal BS. This country was NOT founded on the notion that "America is built on striving to be the best, on the notion that anyone can achieve greatness. It is not based on making some less great so others can be equally great in comparison." America was founded by a group of elitists that wanted to be rid of tyranical overtaxation without a voice from the Crown (hrm...not unlike the current US Government....)

I'm not hard hearted, I'm just a conservative who believes in planning and not in government hand outs.

1) First and Foremost...BD is probably more diversified in its fund raising probably more than any other corps. It has been working towards that goal for years and to some degree it has been successful but it takes time.

2) BD not only funds a World Class Corps , but two other Open Class corps and a Symphonic group which will affect A LOT of youth.

3) The west coast corps have more financial demands put on them than ANY other corps as they are required to travel more and that costs a helluva a lot of money these days

4) This will devastate a lot more organizations than just BD and SCV

5) Finally, there is more at stake here than just losing a source of revenue. This is a state that continues to lose its legislative dignity as it demonstrates time and time again that its politician's votes are bought and paid for by Indian gaming.

[DCIHasBeen]

My corps does have a major type of fundraiser that it does, and were it to go away, it would definitely hurt. However, you would never hear propaganda like this to try and save it. They would work together and find alternate sources of funding that were not subject to these sort of laws, ones that would be more stable, if not as lucrative. This has actually happened to us several times, and I'm beyond proud of the way that the BoD handled the situations, without driving us into a plethora of debt.

A cry to say saving drum corps screams of unnecssary hyperbole. Drum corps would go on, albeit not at the same level for a time. If they do fold for some odd reason and have to take a year or two off, I would not shed a tear due to a lack of planning.

The key to it all is diversification. I've not seen a plan from any of these groups that emphasizes that.

BTW Mike, your post speaks of typical liberal BS. This country was NOT founded on the notion that "America is built on striving to be the best, on the notion that anyone can achieve greatness. It is not based on making some less great so others can be equally great in comparison." America was founded by a group of elitists that wanted to be rid of tyranical overtaxation without a voice from the Crown (hrm...not unlike the current US Government....)

I'm not hard hearted, I'm just a conservative who believes in planning and not in government hand outs.

The funniest thing I've heard in a long time on DCP is someone calling Mike Boo a Liberal ... I'm a Liberal, and he doesn't come to the meetings. He's about as loyal a GOP member as I've ever met.

Secondly, this isn't propaganda, what you have read here are statements of fact, as we believe them.

Finally, one thing you miss in your conservative diatribe, is that all of these charities that have been funded by Bingo, are charities that manage raising of funds by people who want to selectively, and actively, participate in their activity. There's no government funding, and no expense to the taxpayer ... It's a conservative's dream of private, community based, charity.

Personally, I'd rather see the charities be able to raise their funding privately, than have them coming to the State government asking for taxpayer dollars ... Which is probably going to happen if SB 1369 is signed into law. Wow, I guess I'm starting to sound like a Conservative.

Edited September 8, 2008 by DCIHasBeen

[Dave]

Well, this isn't a handout we're talking about here, at least not in relation to the charities that will be hurt. It is a handout of sorts to the tribes, who have long drawn special favors in more places than just California. The issue is that they're using their legislative connections to trip up their competitors. Of course, my answer to the whole mess is to remove these silly restrictions on gambling and let anyone open up a casino, bingo parlor, etc. that wants to, but then no one's looking for common sense right now. I'm as conservative as the next guy and as a result I'm not a fan of government playing favorites with any business, no matter what their story.

[Linda Slocum]

Well, this isn't a handout we're talking about here, at least not in relation to the charities that will be hurt. It is a handout of sorts to the tribes, who have long drawn special favors in more places than just California. The issue is that they're using their legislative connections to trip up their competitors. Of course, my answer to the whole mess is to remove these silly restrictions on gambling and let anyone open up a casino, bingo parlor, etc. that wants to, but then no one's looking for common sense right now. I'm as conservative as the next guy and as a result I'm not a fan of government playing favorites with any business, no matter what their story.

Agreed... this whole Indian gaming monopoly has gotten out of control. The issue here is not just drum corps like BD having to seek other sources of funding, it's about all the other small charities that will no longer be able to serve their functions. There's not enough going from the Indian gaming to the state of CA to support these many charities with government money, nor will there be if this new bill gets signed, simply because the Indian legal eagles were smart enough to write into all such legislation that any contributions from them to the state of CA were purely voluntary.

So, if your granny's Senior Center suddenly shuts its doors or ceases its Meals on Wheels programs that were previously supported at least partially by Bingo, you'll know where to point the fingers. Not at corps like BD, but at the Indian gaming monopoly and those who allowed it to be created.

Hey, I'm all for the Indian community being able to support themselves, but this goes way beyond being "support" and well into GREED. BD and SCV will recover, even if they do have to stick to a tighter budget for the next few years. Other charities won't. Period. Meanwhile, just say NO to Indian casinos/bingo/gaming and send the money you'd have gambled away directly to your favorite corps or charity, where it will actually do some good.

[Michael Boo]

...BTW Mike, your post speaks of typical liberal BS. This country was NOT founded on the notion that "America is built on striving to be the best, on the notion that anyone can achieve greatness. It is not based on making some less great so others can be equally great in comparison." America was founded by a group of elitists that wanted to be rid of tyranical overtaxation without a voice from the Crown (hrm...not unlike the current US Government....)

I'm not hard hearted, I'm just a conservative who believes in planning and not in government hand outs.

Oh, that is UTTERLY HYSTERICAL. Not that it's anyone's business, but I'm a registered Republican, I've canvassed neighborhoods with my Republican precinct committeeman father handing out Republican literature, I've worked as a Republican election judge, I've been accused several times of being a hard right conservative, a neo-con and other things far to the right.

Your lack of comprehension on what I am and who I am reflects your lack of comprehension on the issue being discussed.

Yes, I must be a typical liberal spewing (as you put it) "typical liberal BS," and all because I don't want to see the survival of California drum corps threatened by a group trying to establish a monopoly by driving everyone else out of business.

Where did anyone speak of government hand-outs to the drum corps? The corps are doing their best to operate on their own WITHOUT government assistance, and so far, they've done a great job.

And I have to wonder what country you're speaking of. And yes, I ended a sentence with a preposition. And I'm proud of it!

Edited September 9, 2008 by Michael Boo

[Michael Boo]

Okay, I didn't mean to kill this thread.

Let's get on with saving California drum corps!

[dugada]

It's sad to see negativity on this thread. All corps have their rules as non profits within their states. The volunteers for all corps work hard to fund their groups for as much funding as needed to field a corps. California corps that tour nationally every year have always had to be very aggressive in our fund raising for obvious reasons. We are very good at it because we have to be to survive.

We are not getting government hand outs. We work very hard with many diversified fund raising activities including education activities like On Q and performance opportunities such as BD Entertainment. Crab feeds, merchandise and donation drives are all a part of what we must do. It would be one thing if the state were looking to stop charitable gaming all together. This is in fact a diversion of funds to a few select charities and the Indians and it is unfair to hundreds if not thousands of well deserving organizations.

For those of you outside California you may or may not have influence on this. But California is a big state and our initiative process has long had influence on legislation in other states (Sometimes to the detriment of you and us IMO). If we can work out an equitable solution between charities and Indian gaming it may have a positive effect for charities in your states to hold up as an example. A negative result can also further the harm to charities in your state.

Please be supportive, if not, just ignore this thread. You have nothing to be gained by celebrating the difficulties of others.

[Michael Boo]

governor@governor.ca.gov (Email)

I sent an e-mail to the above address and received back the following. Does anyone know why? Has anyone else had this problem?

----- The following addresses had permanent fatal errors -----

<governor@governor.ca.gov>

----- Transcript of session follows -----

<governor@governor.ca.gov>... Deferred: Connection timed out with govmail2.ca.gov.

Message could not be delivered for 3 hours

Message will be deleted from queue

Final-Recipient: RFC822; governor@governor.ca.gov

Action: failed

Status: 4.4.7

Remote-MTA: DNS; govmail2.ca.gov

Last-Attempt-Date: Tue, 9 Sep 2008 03:12:11 -0400 (EDT)

[Eddie]

There is, and it's the younger groups that seem to have a better grasp on how to execute that. Both Blue Devils and SCV (as well as Freelancers) have an established operation that been as much a part of them as the drum corps itself. Looking at BD's 2006 990 form, their Bingo operation has a net income of roughly $1.1 million. That's what, 40%-45% of what their total expense was that year?

Not sure where BD Entertainment falls in...

bumping a previous post.

Read the bill, read BD's 990 forms, and you'll see where they, bingo, and their future falls into place here.

Looking at SCV's... total expenses in 2006... $1.95 million... net income of bingo operations that year... $1.18 million... if I'm reading these forms correctly.

So folks... there is some heavy damage that can be done to these organizations if this bill passes. Both organizations are not multi-chapter groups like AL, VFW, Elks, etc... and can easily lose out on many of the changes that would take place under this bill if it passes, losing money to both casinos and the larger multi-chapter non-profits in California. Both organizations (according to their websites) use a variety of bingo machines as well, which they would be forced to shut down if this bill passes.

[ContraRich77]

I stomped them.

Edited September 9, 2008 by ContraRich77