[Mpls] New Stadium Bill Proposes 50-50 Profit Split

[David A. Greene]

Gary Hoover wrote:

> 1.  Raising a new tax for a new stadium is immoral when we do not first
> address basic needs.  

There it is.  Scarcity.  We can do BOTH.

> 3.  Raising a new and regressive tax to pay for a new stadium is like... 
> a large and dysfunctional family with lots of money sloshing
> around refusing to meet the needs of children, elders, and vulnerable 
> family members.

When are regressive taxes ok?  Is a sales tax for public transportation
ok?  How about the gas tax for roads?

> Corporate CEOs wreck companies but bail out with golden parachutes while 
> workers lose pensions.
> 
> Politicians use one office to catapult themselves into higher office or 
> cushy private sector jobs while hiding the truth that  local, state, and 
> national governments borrow us into bankruptcy.

Are you willing to work with corporate CEOs and politicians to get
things done?

> can do great things if we want to.  Doing great things would mean using 
> tax dollars for renewable energy, sustainable transportation, and local 
> farm-to-market projects.  This would do far more for our economy and 
> environment than a new stadium.

I want to see our revenues go to renewable energy.  I also don't mind
if they go to a stadium.  I don't see a dichotomy in this.  In fact they
can be complementary.  The Metrodome has introduced a whole host of
suburban families to great public transportation.

> I believe we can and must raise taxes progressively.  

Again, which taxes are ok?  Is it ok to tax clothing?

> Until we are willing to use _our_ form of government, to shape
> things according to _our_ values and vision by using the political
> structures that already exist, we will lose. <<<<<
> 
> Gary H. replies:
> The institutions of our culture are far too resistant to change to make 
> meaningful political conversation possible.  

That is downright false.  I know it is false because of what I
experienced this session.  People _want_ change once they really get
it in their gut what they are angry about.  A lot of people are upset
with politics.  They just don't know why.

> However, who can see the outcomes of various forms of 
> political and cultural activism?

I can.  I raised $1.8 billion for public transportation in the House
and Senate this year.

David Greene
The Wedge