QUOTE(Robert Giacometti @ Jul 27 2006, 11:01 AM)
Steve,
I was surprised to read this post.
I don't feel I am being out of line when I say that you have been somewhat critical of GW's and the Republicans for their policies of tax cuts for the wealthy and corporate welfare and the hardships they had caused for the poor. Now you are accusing some of us for using the poor as political pawns when we are opposing this sales tax increase for an Arena. I don't feel Benning or Octoberlilly have changed any of their philosophies to oppose this tax. I just assumed you weren't refering to me on this.
Something that never ceases to amaze me is when others prejudge and convict another persons motives and coincindently it seems to happen more frequently when there is a disagreement. Its almost like if someone can discredit anothers motives, then they can ignore that persons logic. Let be the first to say I'm not perfect and I do judge others....but I'll just keep those thoughts to myself and try and judge others by facts & what they say rather than what I think they are trying to do.
You give an example of SF and all the benefits of what happened after that staduium was built. Even though you use Baseball ( which attracts 3,000,000 fans per season for 81 games as opposed to NBA which will not even attract 1,000,000 fans for 41 games) I think most agree there will be economic growth around the Arena....at the expense of other areas. Let me ask the big question.... did the citizens there raise sales taxes to pay for this or was this a private/public venture? So the poor did NOT have their sales taxes increased and they got all these benefits?
I gave an example on how an Arena can be built downtown without raising sales taxes. You tried to punch holes in the plan and after I corrected some of your logic....I haven't heard back.
Clearly an Arena can be built downtown without raising sales taxes on the poor, without having people in other cities divert their taxes and reducing the corporate subsidy for the Maloofs. You have even proved it can be done....so why do you want to tax the poor to do it here in are area?
I would be against raising sales taxes on the poor to raise money for the poor. I too thought of excluding the poor on this sales tax...but just imagine the bureacracy and abuses that would occur. NO THANKS!
I feel you know in your heart this is wrong to do this, that this really goes contrary to most of your beliefs, so join those of us who want to build an Arena but do it the right way!
Bring CV with you!
Robert
One man's corporate welfare is another's investment in the community.
That's one of the dichotomies of sports fandom. Our passion for our team can force logic out the window.
I do not mean to discredit you or others for not wanting this deal to go through, nor do I wish to question your motives. I see this as typical political sensationlism. A deal is reached to bring a new arena and all of the benefits that come with it to Sacramento, paid for by a 1/4 percent sales tax increase. That's what the headline should read. You would think, based on the reactions, that the headline read, "Millionaire Maloofs Demand The Poor Go Without Food So They Can Pay For the Arena"
Yes, the ballpark can get over 3,000,000 in there, spread over 81 games, but it is an outdoor facility and can be used for little else but baseball and concerts, and is unusable for either pretty much November through February, due to the weather.
The arena will be a year-round facility, and will attract visitors for Monarch's games, conventions, speaker series', concerts and other events.
I must have missed the post where you corrected my logic, which is why I didn't reply to it.
I don't feel this is wrong. I feel it is a pain in the arse, but the best chance we have to keep the Kings, and I do want to keep the Kings, not at all costs, but at all reasonable costs, and this one seems reasonable.
Sure, I wish the Maloofs would pony up the money to build ther own arena, but they don't have to. Another city will do what you don't want us to do. They will build one for them and hand them the keys. We'll keep our money in our pockets, and the downtown area will continue it's blighted path. The programs developed and funded by the Maloofs will disappear. Convention and Tradeshow planners will choose other cities to spend their money in. Property values will decline. Sacramento will be a less desirable place to live, work, visit and play in. Oh, and don't forget the effect on global warming.
But hey, we sure showed those Maloof's who they're messin' with.
One thing's for sure. People are passionate about sports, pro and con.
