Long, long ago when I had young children, I took them on a trip to the Grand Canyon. They were bored and restless after a short while. In contrast, our visit to Busch Gardens in Williamsburg was a big success. I think that's a concrete example of private enterprise doing things well. We may disagree on this but that's my experience from a few decades ago. And I also enjoyed Busch Gardens more than the Grand Canyon.
As is/was "naming rights" to state/national parks (Even the thought of the former Texas stadium, now AT &T stadium makes me nauseous)
Again, with respect, I differ. One of the reasons -- among the many, I enjoy NASCAR -- are the sponsor logos, endorsements and relationships formed with the brands. As I see it, it's the American spirit of free enterprise to use a variety of venues to acquaint consumers with products and services. It's a long tradition -- going back to the outfield fences adorned with advertisements at Little League fields. And President Calvin Coolidge nailed it on January 17, 1925 when he stated:
After all, the chief business of the American people is business. They are profoundly concerned with producing, buying, selling, investing and prospering in the world. I am strongly of the opinion that the great majority of people will always find these the moving impulses of our life.
That's among the reasons why I can't understand those who decry "commercialism" in sports or any other pursuit. A vibrant, free economy depends upon creating a need in the market and then fulfilling that need. Indeed, that's the business of America. Let freedom ring!
As kids our parents took us camping everywhere from Reelfoot Lake to the the Smokey Mountains, LBL(Land Between the Lakes in Kentucky-Tennessee, and way down in on Florida beaches and lots of other places.(including Disney World) Saw lots of Civil war battlefields along the way!
Not including the drive time, which seemed unbearable, we had lots of fun because our parents let us kids roam on our own(sometime unthinkable now!)
and we make made friends with other kids from across the nation. We had our own “tribe”, at least for a time. We enjoyed our National Parks and it was great to get away from the constant bombardment of rank commercialism(an ugly but necessary part of capitalism) and escape, if just for a time, and enjoy the great wild outdoors(and I am from a farming family and used to rural living!)
Best memories were going to caves like Mammoth Cave, Ruby Falls, and Dunbar and Ruskin Cave(when the last two were “unguided caves”) However, each were at one time, in private hands.(Ruby Cave still is, if my memory holds)
Not knocking commercialism in sports generally.( Nascar, almost from the start had commercial logos so no big whop there)(I used to watch till it got “political correct” and lost it's southern roots and can't stand the preening prima donnas they call “drivers” nowadays)
But in the selling of naming rights of stadiums to corporations, something special was lost. Local favor and history, not to mention honoring local heroes. Gillete Stadium, AT&T Stadium will never hold the imagination of sports fans as does Soldier Field, Candlestick Park, and Lambeau Field.
Nor the permanence. LP field, home of the Tennessee Titians in Nashville was the Adelphia Coliseum before the company went bankrupt. Before that, it was “The East Bank Stadium” Now it is simply as “The Coliseum”
Such is the chance of stadiums named after “current” businesses.
Separate from our National Parks, we can both agree with “Silent Cal” private enterprise outclasses stifling government overbearing to the betterment of a free people.
This current “president” and his tactics offer an “negative” Example One.
(Please pardon for my delayed response, health issues got I the way of a timely reply)