Gary Hoover wrote:
I do not believe in the myth of scarcity
I have read at least three or four times about how you feel the stadium takes away funding for health care and other critical services. It seems to me that you _do_ believe in it.
or in the myth of abundance.
I don't know what you mean by this. Our country has the wealth to do pretty much whatever we want. Ditto the state. If you're talking about non-renewable resources, I entirely agree. "Abundance" is not the same thing as "wanton consumption."
I do believe that a few wealthy folks who own or work in our local professional sports entertainment industry may have to budget a wee bit, but I also believe that the game is played for love, not for money.
I don't object to your position on the stadium. I understand it entirely. What I object to is setting up stadium funding against funding for important social services. All that does is reinforce the idea that we have to pick and choose what we want. This is why we're currently stuck in legislative gridlock. Everyone is working under the assumption we can't raise taxes because no one has any money and we've got to choose some services over others. This is the big lie.
RE: My efforts being worthless and counterproductive while yours are worthwhile and positive.
I have said nothing of the sort.
My guess is that if we rely on the slow mechanisms of our pseudo-democracy to provide a sustainable future for us, we will be as disappointed as if we rely on the superstition of the "free market."
Here I strongly disagree with you. I think it's great that you are doing your bit to call attention to ther importance of weaning ourselves from non-renewable energy sources. My question is always, "and _then_ what are you ready to do?" It's because various forces have created the cynical myth that ordinary people can't make a difference that few people bother to try. Until we are willing to use _our_ form of government, to shape things according to _our_ values and vision by using the political structures that already exist, we will lose. Until we are willing to sit down with those who disagree with us, understand their disagreement and make a true effort at compromise, we will lose. Politics isn't a world of absolutes and perfect solutions. It will always be a battle and we will never get everything we want in one swoop but we can definitely get there in stages. David Greene The Wedge REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[email protected] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
