What is Lafayette's #1 Industry?

[Just1More]

I like highlighting the importance of UL to the local economy in a number of ways... but calling education an industry is a stretch. From what Fun pointed out about the definition of an industry (where your money goes)... did we analyze "Welfare" as an industry and rank it... or perhaps "Social Security"? Or how about "Bank Bail-outs" and "Automobile Industry Bail-outs"... or perhaps the "401k and the Stock Market"... I know that only recently I allowed some public servants to flush a lot of my money down these toilets. Can we call them an industry and rank them?

[Cajunsmike]

Mike,

I thought about your comments... are you excluding education because the government runs it?

At one time, roads, libraries, and schools were all private industries, profitable ones. And there are still examples of private corporations that supply these things. They were so profitable, and so beneficial, that the government supplied them for everyone.

Likewise, health care is an industry; does it stop being an industry when the Armed Forces, the VA, or other public entities supply it?

I'm not saying you're wrong. I'm just interested in how you came at that position, and where and when you draw the line, that's all.

Yes, my definition of industry is something that government is not the primary driver behind. Simply put, industry generates tax revenue while something run by tax money is not an industry. That in no means indicates I don't recognize the importance of education. Without it, there would be no industry as you need educated employees to be successful in business.

[LsuULfan]

_ Yes, my definition of industry is something that government is not the primary driver behind. Simply put, industry generates tax revenue while something run by tax money is not an industry. That in no means indicates I don't recognize the importance of education. Without it, there would be no industry as you need educated employees to be successful in business. _

Agree. To me education is more like infrastructure. Definately important but not the same as private industry/business.

[CajunFun]

_ I like highlighting the importance of UL to the local economy in a number of ways... but calling education an industry is a stretch. From what Fun pointed out about the definition of an industry (where your money goes)... did we analyze "Welfare" as an industry and rank it... or perhaps "Social Security"? Or how about "Bank Bail-outs" and "Automobile Industry Bail-outs"... or perhaps the "401k and the Stock Market"... I know that only recently I allowed some public servants to flush a lot of my money down these toilets. Can we call them an industry and rank them? _

Isn't crime an industry? Remember, Al Capone did not go to jail because of murder, robbery, extortion, trafficking, or any of those.

He was convicted of income tax evasion. So by IRS standards, crime is an industry, albeit an illegal one.

The word "industry" refers to any commerce, and originates from the term for skill, and diligence. Although we often use "commerce" and "commercial" to be synonymous with "private," they actually refer to any exchange of money.

Words can mean whatever we want, and we can change them. If you guys want to say that public entities aren't commerce, and aren't industry, I'm open. But we need a definition that is consistent, and we need a good reason for modifying it.

So if we want to say that public activity is not industry, we need a definition that makes Remington an industry, but not UL.

And we need a good reason for saying it.

[CajunFun]

...Definately important but not the same as private industry/business. _

Why the modifier?

If you say "private" industry/business, doesn't that automatically indicate there is non-private-- which means public-- industry/business?

[Just1More]

_ Isn't crime an industry? Remember, Al Capone did not go to jail because of murder, robbery, extortion, trafficking, or any of those.

He was convicted of income tax evasion. So by IRS standards, crime is an industry, albeit an illegal one.

The word "industry" refers to any commerce, and originates from the term for skill, and diligence. Although we often use "commerce" and "commercial" to be synonymous with "private," they actually refer to any exchange of money.

Words can mean whatever we want, and we can change them. If you guys want to say that public entities aren't commerce, and aren't industry, I'm open. But we need a definition that is consistent, and we need a good reason for modifying it.

So if we want to say that public activity is not industry, we need a definition that makes Remington an industry, but not UL.

And we need a good reason for saying it. _

I understand the use of the term "industry" even in the context of education. I can see it being applied to religion, crime and any number of entities that exchange money. But, I would prefer framing the importance of UL to the Acadiana economy in a way that does not immediately promote terminology arguments like this one... "is education really an industry?"

Your article has a catchy title... but I am far more interested in effectively articulating the valid reasons for UL to be supported monsterously by the Acadiana community, rather than introduce more opportunities for debating terminology and possibly having the key message missed altogether. Just something to consider...