Given the big cuts to public schools this year ($35M to Mpls alone & yet another tuition hike for UM students), based on budget shortfall, HOW can we talk about a stadium?For over a decade, homelessness has continued to rise--but, NOT ONE NEW SHELTER OPENED-- & the state legislature always says the same thing:no money in budget. Politicians (finally) recognize "an affordable housing crisis" in Twin Cities,but, again,NO NEW STATE $,due to budget. So, HOW can the stadium get $?After-school programs which could reduce juvenile crime:cut. Not enough drug treatment centers or mental health resources:cut. So WHY pay for a stadium for a BILLIONAIR? Why can't Carl Polad pay for it HIMSELF?He's got the dough & his children/grand-children are also set for life.Some one should tell Carl"You can't take it with you!"
The economic development argument is also overblown:I can't remember the author but, see book "Field of Schemes" to get a reality-check on how little economic advantage to TAXPAYERS publicly-funded stadiums REALLY provide. We should be re-thinking our priorities,even if the Twins win the World Series. There's something really obscene about buying a billionaire a stadium,while short-changing kids & not dealing with the homeless.Sice Carl has no buyer for the Twins & it looks like the team won't be "contracted",the attempt to extort the public failed. Let's not give in mow.Corporate citizens have some responsibility to the rest of us--epecially, given its the public mostly who fills the trough they are always feeding at & getting a hell of a lot more than their fair share of. Lydia Howell Phillips _______________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
