Vacation Time a Human Right?!!!

P. Aaron · #1 04-19-2010, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Brussels has declared that tourism is a human right and pensioners, youths and those too poor to afford it should have their travel subsidized by the taxpayer.

An overseas holiday used to be thought of as a reward for a year's hard work. Now Brussels has declared that tourism is a human right and pensioners, youths and those too poor to afford it should have their travel subsidized by the taxpayer.

Under the scheme, British pensioners could be given cut-price trips to Spain, while Greek teenagers could be taken around disused mills in Manchester to experience the cultural diversity of Europe.

The idea for the subsidized tours is the brainchild of Antonio Tajani, the European Union commissioner for enterprise and industry, who was appointed by Silvio Berlusconi, the Italian prime minister.

If free speech is a right, will someone then insist upon stadiums & lecturns for all?

Or, is this just a late April Fool's Joke?

MakiSupaStar · #2 04-19-2010, 05:32 PM

This has got to be a joke.

i_got_a_mohawk · #3 04-19-2010, 05:34 PM

Knowing what the types in Brussels are like, I doubt it's a joke

username n/a · #4 04-19-2010, 05:39 PM

At least their sprouts are pretty good.

**jmattbassplaya** · #5 04-19-2010, 06:20 PM

Well without getting too far into it, businesses will force employees to take vacation time so that they can go back and check over the persons work to make sure they aren`t stealing from the company.

Bob Lee (QSC) · #6 04-19-2010, 06:21 PM

They're obviously trying to get back at Antwerp.

Nappa · #7 04-19-2010, 10:37 PM

Hmmm... Fox News? Figures...

Quote:

The idea is based on a project in Spain in which holidays in the winter off-season are subsidised by the government for European residents aged 55 and over. Spain calculated that for every €1 it spent in subsidies, €1.6 was gained for its resorts. The Times

Isn't there a few members from Brussels?

TortillaChip520 · #8 04-19-2010, 10:45 PM

Sure it sounds bad, but how many people live in Brussels, like 800??

**bassybill** · #9 04-20-2010, 12:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TortillaChip520

Sure it sounds bad, but how many people live in Brussels, like 800??

Actually, the Brussels metro area has a population of about 2m - but that's not really the point, of course. Brussels is where the EU has its parliament, so they legislate there for around 500m people.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nappa

Hmmm... Fox News?

Pretty much. The Times is owned by News International (Rupert Murdoch's outfit), same as Fox is.

ehque · #10 04-20-2010, 12:53 AM

I think vacation time should be a right - many states mandate a certain number of days off a month and a certain number of days off per year.

Paying for vacations, on the other hand... It DOES sound like something that could only start in Europe.

MakiSupaStar · #11 04-20-2010, 12:55 AM

I need to start pounding my head into the wall. It will either make everything better or hurt me enough not to care.

**bassybill** · #12 04-20-2010, 12:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ehque

It DOES sound like something that could only start in Europe.

Kind of like democracy and Western Civilisation, right?

MakiSupaStar · #13 04-20-2010, 12:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassybill

Kind of like democracy and Western Civilisation, right?

Yeah that, tight running shorts, and relentless house music.

**bassybill** · #14 04-20-2010, 01:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MakiSupaStar

Yeah that, tight running shorts, and relentless house music.

Joey3313 · #15 04-20-2010, 01:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TortillaChip520

Sure it sounds bad, but how many people live in Brussels, like 800??

...

Wow.

Fail.

**bassybill** · #16 04-20-2010, 01:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joey3313

...

Wow.

Fail.

I think he was just kidding. At least, I hope so.

Joey3313 · #17 04-20-2010, 01:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassybill

I think he was just kidding. At least, I hope so.

He's young and American, I'm not gonna take my chances.

ehque · #18 04-20-2010, 01:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassybill

Kind of like democracy and Western Civilisation, right?

Hey, i live in a Commonwealth country.

knumbskull · #19 04-20-2010, 06:09 AM

XtreO · #20 04-20-2010, 06:24 AM

Cunning move to revitalize tourist industry? :O Personally I support the idea, though I doubt it will ever be ratified as a "right". Because it gives people that cannot normally afford to see another country than their own an opportunity to broaden their mind by seeing other cultures. It also provides us youthlings an excellent, government financed, alcohol-fuelled break. It could only have positive outcomes for me. I get to meet more people when abroad during the summer vacation, I wouldn't pay for it now or in the future (unless we join the Brussel crows, god forbid) and, taking it a bit far, increases understanding of foreign cultures.