GOP PRESIDENTIAL HOPEFUL BACKS TAXPAYER FUNDING FOR NEW NBA ARENA
|| By FITSNEWS || Last week we (briefly) vented our spleen against the ongoing taxpayer subsidization of sporting venues.
“Subsidizing the construction or expansion of sporting venues is not a core function of government,” we wrote. “Never has been, never will be. Yet each year, governments across the country pump billions of dollars into such projects – even as studies show they produce little in the way of a return on taxpayer investment.”
Candidates who support such investments should be viewed skeptically – especially if they claim to support free markets.
Seriously: In what universe is it even remotely “free market” for politicians to force taxpayers to shell out millions of dollars on athletic venues which primarily benefit multi-millionaire team owners?
Yeah … it isn’t.
Anyway, up in Wisconsin governor Scott Walker – an early-frontrunner for the 2016 presidential nomination – is on board with precisely this sort of crony capitalism. Specifically, Walker has lent his support to a plan that would put taxpayers on the hook for $250 million (plus millions more in borrowing costs) to build a new basketball arena for the NBA’s Milwaukee Bucks.
According to The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, Walker backs the plan “even though it would extend for decades taxes that are set to expire and could result in boosts in the taxes on rental cars and hotel rooms.”
Sheesh …
The total cost of the facility would be $500 million, with a group of investors (including former U.S. Sen. Herb Kohl) picking up other $250 million in up-front costs. Walker says he supports the deal because the Bucks are threatening to leave Milwaukee unless they get a new arena.
Again …
There is no universe in which funding for a sporting venue can be considered a core function of government. No matter who is threatening what. Walker should know better than to embrace this sort of crony capitalism.
41 comments
Walker and his ilk will begrudge food stamps for the working poor, but they support this huge corporate/billionaire giveaway.
Not sure how he looks himself in the mirror, I guess after you sell your soul to the Koch brothers, there isn’t any conscience left, I suppose.
Very funny. The man is my Governor. He’s doing a great job.
Yeah, he’s done a bang down job. http://www.forbes.com/places/wi/
Let me guess. You are a Liberal.
Let me guess, you’re a goddamn idiot.
Let me guess, LMAO!!! LMAO!!!
No. Try again.
Being liberal has nothing to do with the fact that he’s ruining a perfectly good state.
Could you give me an example of what he’s ruined? I’ve lived here a long time and nothing appears ‘ruined’
He has turned a failing state government around and now has a surplus. He has made the schools better. He has turned the state into a right to work state. I think he will make a great POTUS.
He will stay your gov. No way he (or any GOP hopeful) wins the White House. Lock it in…
I like Scott Walker. He doesn’t have a degree or advanced education so he’s one of us. He wants to force women to have ultra-sounds before a pregnancy termination, hates government employees except for himself, and likes to subsidize Milwaukee sports teams. And he wants to kick all the illegals out, including Jeb’s wife. He’s The Man.
He’s the “Man” all right……… because Walker is Karen Martin’s (“Queen” of the Spartanburg Tea Party) choice for prez and what she says goes!!!!!!!
She’s fronting some “hoo-da” for him in the near future
Remember Sarah Palin…she was one of us too….and look how that turned out.
“Subsidizing the construction or expansion of sporting venues is not a core function of government,”
Neither is buying cellphones, subsidizing rent, buying your food, paying for your college education, paying off corporate debt, subsidizing green energy projects, etc..
Elected officials determined a long time ago that they can buy support and votes by relieving certain private individuals and private corporations of their financial responsibilities.
Hey, it seems to be working, expect more big government in the future.
Classic race to the bottom mindset.
I know, the government’s tendency to become involved in many facets of our personal and professional life has driven us there.
A little freedom,please, just leave us be.
You’re thinking Nazi Germany…but I’m thinking you might like Somalia better. Very limited gov’t there.
You’re an idiot, and idiots have one track minds. Can’t you made a point in moderation, while trying to vilify people you don’t agree with, you are accusing them of what you are.
In fairness…am I though? All you seem to hear from some folks these days is a single ideology of “less government”. What that means to one person can vary to another. It’s a race to see who can achieve the maximum definition of less gov’t. as per your post above. You are advocating a system of no public commonality. No common good. Every man, woman and child to fend for themselves no? That is Somalia.
I am advocating a gov’t that is modeled on successful democracies already operating around the world. Sweden, Norway, Australia, New Zealand, Denmark just to name a few. You will dismiss them out of hand as being effete socialist euro trash, but their GDP per capita, levels of public debt, employment, crime, education and even tax levels are to be desired.
We don’t even need to reinvent the wheel, just adopt what’s out there, but we won’t. Because we’re ‘Muricans and will gladly cut off our noses to spite our faces. I think America is a good country, but we could be a great country.
Yes, it is OK to disagree. But, I did not put one spending category on my post that I truly believe needs to be modified, curtailed or eliminated. We have a big intrusive government that could use a little trimming back and total elimination of some programs. Those are my beliefs, and I think they are sound.
If I post something you don’t like, just state it, and cut out your asshole antics. You seem to go directly after the people’s character that you disagree with rather that state your opinions and reasons for disagreeing. Cheap shots are exactly that and they cheapen any reasonable opinion you might have..
Put on the big boy pants bro.
“exactly what in my posts was attacking your character”
race to the bottom
Nazi Germany …Somalia
You will dismiss (how the hell do you know?)
You will dismiss them out of hand
Etc…
Again, anything you disagree with, state your case.
You are trying to stereotype people that you disagree with rather than intelligently respond.
And also, I am a very sensitive guy and my feeling get hurt easily.
First of all, if you’re sensitive you’ve picked the wrong website to comment on. I am tame compared a lot of the knuckle draggers in here.
Secondly, no personal attacks. Hyperbole? Yes…but no personal attacks against you.
And you are also somewhat dense.
The knuckle draggers, I can tolerant, and take their best shots. It is piss ants like you that irritate me.
Now that is a personal attack. But I’m a big boy and can handle it.
Good, you may go to bed now.
“You are advocating a system of no public commonality. No common good. Every man, woman and child to fend for themselves no? That is Somalia.”
That’s not the case….there’s lots of little fiefdoms and gov’ts in Somalia…
Some other points:
NZ & Australia for a great period of time had no defense expenses as they were carried by the Crown.
Second, they are modified Monarchies with parliamentary attributes.(as are the others you mentioned)
Sweden is undertaking huge privatization efforst and has a youth unemployment rate of 29%.
On the other side of the coin, they have NO MINIMUM WAGE. (which makes their youth unemployment rate all the more amazing)
Thing is, they are more capitalistic in the sense that their gov’t hasn’t stood in the way of Union organizing…which is really a libertarian principle regardless of who says what here on this little forum.
Even further thought, when you look at Norway, which is a mixed Monarchy/parliament as well(as is Denmark)….you are trying to compare country with population sizes similar to South Carolina to the government of the United States.
That is preposterous. Even more preposterous though is this argument that these small governments are “successful” in a way that could be translated to the United States.
Norway for example, is resource rich. If I used your same argument method, we should also be claiming that Saudi Arabia or the UAE are the style of government that the United States should have! They are more wealthy than 4 of the 5 countries you mention per capita.
See what I did there?
You can’t argue with this dumbass. I have quit trying.
I hear ya brother.
He is kinda fun in a way. He takes himself much too seriously and does not present good arguments from that side of the table.
All right, here comes the next bill, who wants to buy my vote? I’ll start the bidding at $10,000! Do I have 10?
Scott Walker: fascist
Hey, and the nice thing about Walker – he’s trailing Hillary in the polls by 10 points. He’s our man.
Why Scott Walker would even campaign on the issue of sports says he is totally out of touch with reality. Is sports our highest priority? Does it even rank on the Hierarchy of Needs? MAYBE self actualization, but there are so many who have yet to meet the first step of needs, that I cannot fathom why sports is even a topic.
In most politicians world view 500 million isn’t that much. In my view – 500 million is a LOT more than I will ever make, if I include every member of family, extended.
Out of touch.
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Walker supports an array of “fat cats.” Why should sports franchise owners miss out on the largesse?
It’s obvious who the liberals most fear. And in Walker’s case, your terror is valid.
He killed you on the corrupt teachers unions. Then withstood all that you could throw at him. You should be very afraid.
really? “the corrupt teachers unions”? just fucking think for yourself for a second. the teachers? the ladies making 45k teaching kids? those are the villains? those are the guys walker bravely took on? and saved wisconsin?
You seem drunk on the Democrat Party dogma, that exploits the education of our children for greedy purposes. Evidently the voters of liberal Wisconsin think you are an idiot and a liar. The voters agreed with Walker. Not you and your ignorance.