Earlier this year, one of the richest men in Minnesota, Carl Pohlad, recieved a nice little gift from the State, a bill authorizing and funding a new downtown stadium for the Minnesota Twins. Did the Twins need a new stadium? Probably. Baseball belongs outdoors on grass, not on turf in a dome.
But, was it right to; Subsidize a sports franchise? Fund it with taxpayers money? Take away the taxpayers voice in funding it?
The first two are arguable. Take away our voice in funding it though? That answer is a resounding NO! Our own revolution was at least partially rationalized on "No Taxation Without Representation". I can not find fault with my particular legislators, they opposed it. I can find fault with the man who ran for Goveror on a platform of fiscal responsibility and then signed this piece corporate welfare. I think this issue may be the one that costs him the election
Tim Pawlenty is certainly not getting my vote
14 comments:
My feelings are - if you don't vote - you don't have the right to complain.
If we put as much effort and money as we do into pointless sports we could probably cure hunger in the United States. But since ppl are more concerned about steriod bloated, cocaine addicted, self centered men who grab themselves on camera we will have ppl going hungry. But at least they will have a new building with new dumpsters to dive in.
Mal! Nice to get some update on the politics from you! And I must say that I agree with honkeie2.
I hope that slimeball is not re-elected. I bet he received lifetime season tickets for that one!
I left Minnesota when "the Body" was in office. I don't think he would have signed such a thing.
Not only are the taxpayers footing the bill, they still have to pay to get inside to watch. Yet another reason I don't watch professional sports.
Fantasta- very true!
honkeie2- wow,,,what a benefit!
Asa- some times I think american politics is an extension of the entertainment industry
Notso- yup, me too
Ed- Jesse was opposed to it during his tenure and thats why I think it never got out of the legislature..and trust me, the politician ALWAYS have tickets "available"...cynical, aren't we?
I'm sort of in the same boat as you. My congresswoman is impeccable, and we agree on just about every social, political, and economic issue.
Almost makes me want to move to a 'red' state in order for my vote to make a difference.
yeharr
!@#$!@# the !@#$!@# got reelected
@*mn it! Why do all the loosers win?
I'm not sure how to get professional sports in control, but the idea of blackmailing cities is crazy. I tend to only go to minor league ball games, they're actually more fun.
Um...you're not allowed to reuse pictures. :-)
Sage- The Saint Paul Saints are a lot more entertaining than the Twins..they do not take themselves so seriously
Little Fish- color me "busted" *L*
Yeah, this is the same crap that goes on here, too. I think it's an idiotic thing to do: corporate welfare at its finest.
I was at that game against the Mariners when that was signed. According to my polotical guru husband, Mr. Ventura would never agree to that until the school system was fully funded. So, the question for us was if the schools were "starving" while the city will build a new baseball park. With that said, a new stadium COULD bring in a lot more revenue to the city in tax money and therefore almost pay for itself. Who knows.
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