David Piehl continues his specialized brand of rhetorical jujitsu on the subject of taxes:
Saying that city taxpayers are *only* on the hook for $10 million apparently assumes that those who pay taxes in the city do not pay state or federal taxes. Hmm, I didn't think I would have to point this out David but I guess I will. People in all 50 states pay federal taxes, and the federal contribution for this project is about 30 million (may be more), people from ADA to Zumbrota pay state taxes and they are kicking in the biggest portion of the bill, my mom in St Boni, and my high school hommies in Bloomington pay County taxes, guess what? They're kicking in too. It's called leveraging capital, this project does an outstanding job of it, while minimizing my exposure as a Minneapolis taxpayer since I have to live next to the freeway. David continues: Further, and more importantly, there is the opportunity cost i.e. the value of what could be built if this project isn't. Money wasted is money wasted regardless of what level of government is paying the bill - promoting it as a bargain for the city for the city's $10 million contribution is to operate within a very narrow silo - or empty rhetoric. This is not a waste of government money, this is a proper role for government, improve infrastructure to benefit the employers and residents of our region. Guess what, this project employs people, I want my government spending money on projects that employ people and encourage businesses in the region to employ people. The real opportunity cost is to pass on this capital and hope that something else comes along. You only make these charges because it affects your tiny little silo, your house on the Healy Block (which I'm guessing was subsidized by NRP in some way), I would argue that you are the more narrowly self-interested of the two of us. I will let list members judge for themselves. Scott Persons Lyndale Neighborhood Ward 8/10 TEMPORARY REMINDER: 1. Send all posts in plain-text format. 2. Cut as much of the post you're responding to as possible. ________________________________ 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
