[Mpls] "Stadiumus Giganticus!"

[Gary Hoover]

Good points and discussion from David B.,  John H., and Britt R. -- food for 
thought!  "Stadiumus Giganticus" is a symptom of larger and deeper 
socio-political pathology.  Note:

1. Taxes for rich private professional sports entertainment when we are not 
addressing education, health care, public safety, transit, poverty, and 
other sustainable infrastructure.

Yes, I know that the Pohlad's and the Twins will plead poverty and utter 
destitution -- we've been through all that.  What will we raise taxes for in 
contrast to all the things that we will not raise taxes for?  This is 
actually quite an indictment of our supposedly compassionate, 
"kinder-gentler" culture.  Let's all just go play ball in the park and use 
the money for the above-mentioned real poverty and destitution!

2. Regressive taxation.

How can anyone defend this?  The idea that visitors will pick up most of the 
tab seems at best unsupported to me, and at worst an obvious attempt to 
cloak the regressive nature of the tax.  Does anyone on the list buy this 
argument?  Any real numbers to back it up?

3.  Raising taxes while providing "cover" that our state governor somehow 
*opposes* raising taxes.

Y-y-y-y-u-u-u-u-u-u-k-k-k-k-!-!-!  Too slimy to talk about without making 
folks ill......

4.  Denying affected citizens the right to vote on this, as already required 
by law.

(Note that Rep. Hornstein tried to address this last night.)

5. The United "Republicratic" front.  It is not just me, but political 
commentators from Sea to Shining Sea  (leaving aside the huge and growing 
"Dead zones" in such seas resulting largely from agricultural runoff) 
notice the same.

Britt Robson linked to last night's house committee vote with these 
comments:
>>>>>
 Those who say there's no difference between the DFL and
Republicans on this issue have ammunition: The vote broke down 5-5 among the
republicans and 4-5 against a referendum among DFL-ers. Hennepin County
legislators voted 2-2, (2-1 DFL, 0-1 R).
<<<<<

There it is, folks!  Republicrats in action!  No discernable difference!  An 
outstanding exception was Representative Hornstein for at least defending 
the people's right to a referendum provided for by law.)

Pohlad and the Twins can and should pay for a stadium if they want it. 
Otherwise, stop pretending to be anything other than "corporate welfare 
kings/queens" -- and very rich ones at that!

-- pedaling for peace and ecojustice -- from Lynnhurst -- Gary Hoover