The deflating economy is taking it's toll on yet another American industry, affecting American workers and millions of loyal, avid consumers, possibly dealing the already drooping California economy a serious blow. Like so many leaders of industry before them, Hustler publisher Larry Flynt and Girls Gone Wild CEO Joe Francis are asking Congress to allocate $5 billion to bail out the sagging adult entertainment industry.
CNN: Porn industry seeks federal bailout
Our soldiers will be impacted, our disabled, our appearance challenged, so many Americans will feel the chill winds blowing through this industry, it's not something we can just leave untouched, so look down for more excitement:
From the CNN posting:
"The take here is that everyone and their mother want to be bailed out from the banks to the big three," said Owen Moogan, spokesman for Larry Flynt. "The porn industry has been hurt by the downturn like everyone else and they are going to ask for the $5 billion. Is it the most serious thing in the world? Is it going to make the lives of Americans better if it happens? It is not for them to determine."
Francis said in a statement that "the US government should actively support the adult industry's survival and growth, just as it feels the need to support any other industry cherished by the American people."
"We should be delivering [the request] by the end of today to our congressmen and [Secretary of the Treasury Henry] Paulson asking for this $5 billion dollar bailout," he told CNN Wednesday."
You should take a few minutes to read the comments. I love how people immediately volunteered to serve on an independent review committee, or be the Porn Czar, how it would affect California's economy, improve America's morale. Most of the commenting folks recognized the 'snark' satire being used to lampoon Congress. Ok, a few gullible people did take the news release seriously and felt the End of the World was at hand.
But it does raise a fascinating question--where does one draw the line where government should or should not intervene to provide bail out monies and what level of accountability really is enough? Recall how porn industry representatives were treated as legitimate businesses at the 2004 inauguration events for W. Well, it is an industry with many tens of thousands of 'workers' and does generate billions in revenues, have many 2nd and 3rd tier suppliers, and a lot of retail business outlets. It's not quite like selling cars or M&Ms, but it is far less fattening, and for some Americans it may be their only viable outlet. Bailing out the porn industry would produce quite visible results within a short time.