I came across this little bit in the Economist. Seems after investing firms, banks, and the auto makers all got economic stimulus money another industry is looking for a handout – adult entertainment!
Both Larry Flynt and Joe Francis, who have both built adult-related empires, are asking for $5 Billion to help them with the recession.
From Joe Francis:
Congress seems willing to help shore up our nation’s most important businesses, we feel we deserve the same consideration. In difficult economic times, Americans turn to entertainment for relief. More and more, the kind of entertainment they turn to is adult entertainment.
And Larry Flynt:
People are too depressed to be sexually active… This is very unhealthy as a nation. Americans can do without cars and such but they cannot do without sex… It’s time for congress to rejuvenate the sexual appetite of America. The only way they can do this is by supporting the adult industry and doing it quickly.
Wow. Interesting arguments there Mr. Flynt.
Seems many find their “entertainment” on the web where they don’t have to pay for it which accounts for a 22% drop in DVD sales and rentals in the adult entertainment industry.
At first this is completely ridiculous! I mean come on!
But think about it for a second…investment firms, banks, and car makers are asking for money to prop up companies that have made terrible financial decisions the past few years. Why do they get the money? Because their industries are too big to fail? I have to believe politics has a lot to do with it too.
Why not give money out to companies that are just hurting from the economy?
I know many of you don’t agree with what the adult industry does. That’s ok. But why not give money to other industries that may be hurting as a result of the current economy? Couldn’t their troubles be, in part, traced to bad management by banks and investment firms who did get money?
The other question, of course, is where does it end? Seems in the end the only one not getting economic bailout money is me!
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Meat Loaf was on Hannity the other night arguing in favor of assistance to the entertainment industry as well. I think most of these arguments have been said tongue-in-cheek, but they do raise a good point. When the government starts handing out massive amounts of money, people start forming a line…everyone wants a piece of the pie. “Where does it end?” is right!
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@ Hannah – What’s really bad about it is it stops innovation. It puts the blame for bad times on the economy and puts companies in the mindset to ask for help. Instead a company needs to bear down and innovate ways to save on costs and put out a better product.
The same happens to people. “I need a handout” folks say rather than figure out a way to make more money and/or reduce their spending.
I say, Larry Flynt, speak for yourself!
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@ Beatriz – Haha! I had to re-read his quote to get it! Who is he to speak for everyone anyway?
I agree with your comment response to Hannah. There are far too many, “scared to take risks” people out here who are unwilling to adjust their lifestyles to generate more income.
@ Jarod – Risks are a part of it but I think you got it with changing their lifestyle. No one wants to look at a budget and say “Hey, I can’t afford to eat out four times a week!”
I think that it was a great publicity stunt, probably meant to bring attention to the fact that everyone wants a handout. And it probably resulted in an upsurge of sales for the porn industry.
I’m all about an individual bailout. If we’re going to throw money at the problem (and we are) forget about the “big guys.” Give it to small businesses and individuals.
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@ Miranda – Yeah, Flynt likes his public stunts. Oddly, he makes interesting points at time.
I think a lot of this is just to gain publicity for the adult entertainment industry, and why not. Good for them if it does. I understand your point that if it hurts the economy, maybe we should help out. Where does this stop? Everyone is going to be asking to a bailout. With the increase of free adult sites, it’s easy to see how the industry has taken a hit. Don’t think they should get the bailout though.
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@ Craig – No, they shouldn’t get a bailout. But maybe some of those who got shouldn’t have either? I think I’m getting sick of everyone crying poverty these days.
@ffb I agree, the more you hear about it in the news, the more you want it to stop already. they won’t get it, but I’m sure they won’t be the last industry asking for some kind of bailout.
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What great words of wisdom from Larry Flint. I have to say he has a point.
I actually heard something about this on NPR recently, how the adult industry was being affected traumatically. Oddly enough, however the entertainment industry always does better during an economic downturn. The reasoning was that people want to get away from their lives, so they go to the movies.
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@ James – I guess his type of entertainment doesn’t do as well. Though actually their problem is more to do with free content on the web and not the economy, in my opinion.
@ Big Mick – I could see the fast foods start crying. But they are probably doing well with the inexpensive food they serve.
Nice publicity stunt.
Where will it end. Next, McDonald’s, Burger King and the like will be looking for hadnouts as it will cripple the nation if people don’t get their fast food fix.
The adult industry, unfortunately, doesn’t need a bailout. There are enough men out there addicted to their product that there is no problem finding a steady stream of revenue.
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