LAS VEGAS, Nevada, Thursday, August 11, 2016 - I had cause to be in this American City today. A family member was hospitalized and I flew here to see her and accompany her back to Baltimore. I had the same impression of Las Vegas that I had of Atlantic City when gambling there was in its heyday. It isn't the best impression.
The Las Vegas strip is fabulous and oozes decadence. There are unbelievable attractions and lots of very bright lights. There is a Ferris Wheel of sorts that whisks riders high into the sky. But instead of sitting in a swaying cart, riders are able to enter one of dozens of small globular "rooms" that are fully air conditioned. Drinks are served. You get a fabulous view of Las Vegas and the surrounding desert and craggy mountains. Around Las Vegas these mountains are not that high, but they do give the impression that you are in a desert valley. And, in fact, you are.
The desert around Vegas is not one of white sand and dunes. Instead, the sand is brown. There are no visible dunes. One cynical resident told me that Las Vegas has "a lot of dirt." That isn't really fair. There is dirt and sand all over the place because it doesn't rain much around here. There isn't a whole lot of green. A reservoir my jet flew over just before it landed was very very low. At a boat launch the road down to water's edge had been extended quite a distance to avoid becoming useless.
But none of this has anything to do with my impression of the City. My impression is drawn from the fact that the city of Las Vegas appears to be suffering greatly in the current economy. Just beyond the Strip there are abandoned business locations by the dozen. A shopping mall had its biggest stores abandoned. Lots of places were run down and closed. This was exactly what was going on in Atlantic City even during the pinnacle of the gambling craze. The money from the gambling industry just wasn't trickling down. Before the Democrats get fired up, let me add that the current economy is the Obama Economy, eight miserable and depraved years worth. You cannot tax the daylights out of struggling businesses and expect these businesses to do well and provide thousands of jobs.
Millions of tourists still flock to Las Vegas. On Thursday night as I checked out near 11 pm to catch a jet home, the line of people trying to check in was longer than seemed possible. I was at the Luxor, which was decadent but well-run, expensive but anxious to see that patrons got their money's worth, or so it seemed. Why was I at an expensive place like this? Well, I was able to get a room on short notice and the ad that attracted my business was in keeping with what I had heard about Vegas: they charge less for rooms in hopes you will make up the difference in the lush casinos. But the advertised rate of $41.00 per night was really $68.00 per night once the add-ons were added on. Let the buyer beware. And $68 per night was far less than I would spend for lodging in Ocean City, Maryland, and there was no minimum stay.
Because I was here on serious business, I didn't gamble or take in any shows. But I don't think that would change my impression. As for the heat, it wasn't that bad to one who spends his summers on the Atlantic Seaboard. When people argue about whether it is the heat or the humidity, believe me, it is the humidity. One other note: I met a slew of very decent people - men and women - driving taxi cabs. I learned a lot of good things about the City. But taking a cab around town will take you broke soon enough.
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