Comments on: The Best Statement I Read Today

By: Marc Schneider

Marc Schneider — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 21:11:53 +0000

The reason cities do this is that, for all the grousing, people want sports teams and will ultimately blame the politicians for losing or not getting a team. It’s sort of a guilty pleasure. I know damn well that Washington, DC has more pressing needs than a new baseball stadium funded by the taxpayers but it benefits me. By the same token, people don’t want to pay taxes for additional social services that they don’t need and will benefit only poor people.

But, as Matt C says, there is also the issue that political and business elites manage to help each other and the hell with the public. It amazes me that so many ostensibly “conservative” politicians and business leaders never (or rarely) complain about spending on sports stadiums.

By: Zach

Zach — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 17:21:25 +0000

Now even the feds are getting in on this thing:

http://www.sportsline.com/mlb/story/10983989/rss

And other economics/policy sites are commenting on it too:

http://www.taxfoundation.org/blog/show/23624.html

By: Matt C.

Matt C. — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 13:04:46 +0000

Yesterday on E:60 there was a special about how Yankees Stadium took away parks and recreation space for a Bronx neighborhood. Aparently the okay from the state came in the form of a bill presented just before the close of the assembly. The neighborhood’s own representative at the state house voted for the bill, because she didn’t know what it was really about. There was debate, no committee meetings, nada.

My favorite comment came from Mr. Steinbrenner himself when he said that the new stadium was for the people of New York. All I could think was “Bull Shit.” Considering there are less general admission seats and more luxury boxes than the current Yankees Stadium. It’s all about rich people more rich, not about helping anyone.

By: Ken Houghton

Ken Houghton — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 12:35:23 +0000

Yes, but they were selling ambulances, which are not needed in Gwinnett, since no one actually lives there. (How else are we to pretend to justify that $19MM unless everyone who goes to the stadium is traveling from afar?)