How would you describe the performance of Minnesota's political leadership in the stadium debate?
Posted at 5:00 AM on November 3, 2011
by Eric Ringham
(61 Comments)
Filed under: Politics/Government
Proposals to build a new Vikings stadium seemed to be in jeopardy Wednesday. Gov. Mark Dayton said his planned financing proposal was in limbo. Republicans in the Legislature were calling for public hearings. Today's Question: How would you describe the performance of Minnesota's political leadership in the stadium debate?
Comments (61)
WHAT political leadership? Where is the leadership?
The wishy-washy Govy Dayton saying yes special session, no special session (Vikings Stadium).. And I thought a Flip-Flop was an electronic circuit in computers. It's also our Govy.
And the split-down-the-middle Legislature can't even agree on the time of day, let alone a stadium proposal. NO NEW TAXES! NO NEW GAMBLING!
Gimme an FN break. If the Vikings leave - we deserve it. A cold Omaha.
KimMN, you have so completely misunderstood socialism, communism, marxism and fascism that I wouldn't know where to begin in offering a correction to your latest ridiculous post. Have you even graduated from high school? When I learned civics in high school (long, long a go in a metropolis far, far away), part of the curriculum was the contrast between those things and what we have in America. In college I actually read and wrote a paper on Marx's Communist Manifesto for an assignment (n.b.: not to be indoctrinated, but to know what I was arguing against). Have you ever read that document? Obviously not, or you wouldn't be mischaracterizing marxism so badly. Of course, if you're just parroting what some right wing think tank (what I prefer to call a lie factory) told you those words mean, that would explain your misunderstanding.
reply to Steve's comment; Marxism differs from socialism. In socialism all property and business is controlled by the state, the government elite. In Marxism, they give the illusion that all private business retains its ownership but behind the scene the government controls how it is run. Communism has no private ownership, no freedoms. Fascism is actually more closely descriptive of how Obama and many, not all, Democrats believe the government should be run. Where socialism sought totalitarian control of a society’s economic processes through direct state operation of the means of production, fascism sought that control indirectly, through domination of nominally private owners. Where socialism nationalized property explicitly, fascism did so implicitly, by requiring owners to use their property in the “national interest”—that is, as the autocratic authority conceived it.
Obama uses "get some skin in the game to help America" as his mantra to indirectly control industry such as the wasted billions in Energy Dept loans , most unaccounted for and also, for example with a government control take over of Fannie mae, GM, and dictating salary bonus for certain specific Wall Street banks while rewarding others that heavily supported him.
So in reconsideration, as based upon the definitions and acts of these leaders, Obama and super wealthy Dayton are not truly socialist minded, they are actually Fascist. No denial there, their acts and statements have supported that over and over.
Maybe our first Black president, Caine, will help change this terrible past three years caused by our first bi-racial President Obama but first, Obama would have to take a stand to denounce the Marxist style beliefs in the Occupy Wall Street class warfare movement.
In other words, kimMN, your mention of Corzine is a red herring. I actually agree with you on the Vikings stadium issue, but your logic is severly lacking.
Likewise your mention of marxism is a red herring. You clearly have no idea what marxism is. Anyone who would support a financial handout to a billionaire (instead of slitting said billionaire's throat) is about as far from being marxist as one can get.
@stevie
Corzine's banking corruption and scam of millions was an analogous comparison with how political leaders arrange deals, get caught and still prosper.
Obama was very supportive of Corzine, he even campaigned for him last November but Corzine lost anyway or because of that support from POTUS. Who in the MN House is supporting the Vikings stadium? Now check on their deals waiting in the wings.
The owner can not be said to have been fully upfront and transparent...no more than our POTUS Obama has been with the public.
Those who expect government to use our taxes to " support" a sports economy are operating with Marxist ideals. Yes, I said it_ it is simply that. Marxism operates by bigger government regulating and controlling all facets of an economy, picking winners and losers and leaving the wealth to but a select few in government. Government has no constitutional basis to subsidize a private business with our taxes.
And how, kimMN, is the former NJ governor connected to the question of a new Viking's stadium? And why should anyone take you seriously when you keep posting irrelevant crap like that?
The prophets of Footbaal are losing the contest. Wake up, Governor Ahab! No new temple to Footbaal!
As earlier said__The performance of Minnesota's political leadership in the stadium debate at least is not as bad as what we have in DC. ..as far as we know, none of our own politicians in MN are on the take as we see with former Corzine, NJ Governor who used to be a big shot at Goldman Sachs, Corzine bundled $500,000 to Obama's campaign and now he is set to get $12 million pay out after collapsing the MF hedge funds group that can't account for $600,000 while filing bankruptcy....such transparency. Maybe the Vikings can do such a deal to get the money? ( gag) Sarcasm intended because someone needs to follow the money to see who is gaining at our expense on the Stadium deal..send Wilf home to DC or Wall Street where he belongs.
How would you describe the performance of Minnesota's political leadership in the stadium debate?
Way too over reactive... Kick the bums (viking) out of the Great State of MN!!!!
Take politics out of this... it is about NFL owner(s) getting rich...... end of story!!!!!!!!
The Viking are a private company.... and should not get any thing from MN...that every other Company gets...or wait....let me think the money that MN has is from the people...so.... wait let me thing...this is my money... Gee I generate money...and give to MN..and the USA........let me think about this the Vikings want my money.... that I earned.... but they won't put their money in to this..... WTF!!!!!!
If it really is a good deal.... why would they not fund it totally themselves ?!??!!??!!?
The Viking have shown no desire to help MN State or its people to gain economic benefit from any new stadium! Okay maybe few jobs building it...but.... look at the facts.....
Will they hire only a MN owned company that will pay MN taxes....NO....
Do they say only MN workers will build it.......NO
Will they state that individual people have jobs be for more than a few weeks .....NO
Do they tell the truth that most of the people working on a new stadium and companies building it will pay taxes to other States.....NO
Oh.....what new jobs on an on going basis...... if you eliminate the Dome jobs.... the same jobs in a new stadium are doing what??????
The Vikings are private company that only pays taxes...just like everyone else. OH....seems if you look at details they don't pay much in MN.... if they did they would promote that....wouldn't they!!!!!!!.....
For them to ask and get anything from the State, County, Cities and the people of MN on every purchase we make..... to build a building to work in, for only 8 days (like they can win enough to depend on post season play...) a year is despicable!
Just look at the Vikings they can't build a winning team.....so are they going to ask State, County, Cities to help build at team....NO!!! The NFL and Vikings just want us (MN) to just give them money....whaaaa whaaa.... Grow up Vikings!
Are the Viking going to give full ownership or part ownership in the Vikings in proportion to what they want from the State, County, Cities to build a Work place for 8 days a year!!!!!! NO!!!!!!!! 1.1 billion divided by 8....... Oh....never mind.....
Oh....but they allude that that they will be here for years...... NOT!!!! ........ They won't go on record that they won't move in one year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The owner of the Viking is a developer..... and he wants to develop.... at the cost of MN and it's people.... he won't take NO!!! Downtown MPLS is got good enough for him.
Well the heck with you! Mpls is a great city! If you have a problem with it why did you buy the Vikings?????
Oh and really...... come one..... really???? ONLY one location will do???? WTF? Ziggy......... so doesn't want what will work for the Vikings! He wants what is best for him!!!
Vikings Go Away..... Green Bay is a better team!!! Even their used up retired and retired Quarterback out played anything the Viking had done for years...
Viking you have to Dome.... get over your delusions that you deserve free money from the State and it People on a ongoing basis.
Zygi Wilf.... and all of his family....just look at how many Wilf's own the Vikings are going to gain for any new stadium NOT MN....
Damn I miss local owners.
Go away Vikings!!!!!!
I wish we were hearing hourly and daily about the need to call a special session for: education,training and employment, mortgage relief and the daily needs of Minnesota residents not that of a 'special session' to figure out how the State and we the residents need to come up with millions for a 'new stadium' for a team who already has a stadium but don't believe it makes enough revenue for them.
The timing for this 'do it our way or we will take our ball and go' is unjust for the needs of all the residents; many who don't have a home already.
Poor. Why would we even consider giving ANY public money to billionaire owners and millionaire players to build a stadium? And for those of you who say it will "create" jobs you should look up a little thing called opportunity cost.
Chris,
Your Packers, and the Giants with AT&T Park in San Francisco should prove that privately financed ball parks, like any other commercial enterprise, do not require public funds to exist.
At least our Twins stadium honors those who provided much of the funding by being named Citizens Field.
Oh, wait...
As typical, political leaders are using the issue as leverage to sway voters in preparation for the next election. While campaigning for governor, all 3 candidates voiced support for a new football stadium. The current governor is following through on that, and those on the other side of the political aisle are opposed.
I hope the stadium funding fails, so I support the stand of Zellers. I have no illusions, though. If we had a republican governor, I fully expect party roles would be reversed. Why is a stadium considered a "win" for the governor?
Freedomworks is well known for planting sockpuppet trolls in all sorts of online forums. Their astroturf training schools are also well known. Whether or not kimMN is one of them seems obvious. I wish MPR would start posting IP addressed with posts, that would go a long way to cleaning up the question of the day of kimMN and its ilk.
Political leadership is doing okay.
It's a polarizing issue. There are no winners. But there are fewer losers if the Vikings pony up more themselves, which they will.
"...I am not paid by anyone..."
Okay, kimMN, I'll take you at your word about that, but then I find it hard to understand your behavior. You persist in your irrational, hot-headed rhetoric, despite being repeatedly called on it, and you continue to steer the conversation into areas of polarized political controversy, even when "Today's Question" is not overtly political. No one on the "left" is posting anything like your long, rambling rants, though it would certainly be possible given enough time, to dig up dirt on conservatives and make innuendoes about, say, the Koch brothers' influence over Herman Cain and Michele Bachmann, or Rupert Murdoch's attempts to sway elections through his media empire.
As for my question, it was not inappropriate under the circumstances. Others had raised the possibility of your being a paid shill, and I hadn't seen you deny it. And unlike "Have you stopped beating your wife yet?" it was not a loaded question.
Your motives aside, it's disingenuous of you to complain about my (and others') debating your assertions, when your rhetoric is as deliberately inflamatory as it is. When you're provocative, don't be surprised when people are provoked.
I would describe it as poor. If we want to compete with other cities we need to have the 4 major sports and the Vikings are one of them.
Also, if we let the Vikings go we will end up spending far more money in the long run when we decide we need to build a new stadium to attract another team. We should save the time, money, and trouble, get a stadium built and move on to more important issues.
I'm not much of a sports fan-- don't care if they stay or go. In fact I think it will be just like Minnesotans to tell them to take a hike then cry about it for the next 20 years ;)
Only then will someone figure out that people liked having an NFL team and how to also pay for it without tax dollars.
A hustle by definition relies upon a false sense of urgency.
The Vikings see us as chumps, which is why they demand so much so quickly. Perhaps some legislators are about to surprise them.
This could be the best answer since our MN leadership seems out of touch with their citizens.
Get a poll about the three critical areas that affect their re-election as was done recently this week for Obama! or Dayton could try to do as Obama does when he refuses to cooperate with Congress..Make a ton of executive orders to get his way. Hmmm..or ask OWS protesters to take over the Dome and invite the OWS anarchists to shut down business downtown as they shut down the CA port...they seem to get away with that in Oakland because Obama supported the protests and now it is getting more violent.
So we could put OWS in the Dome to force our governor to decide and then let the anarchists suit up fo a game instead to entertain us..ooops, that won't work either because the OWS protesters don't believe in an honest day's work unless its taking entitlements from those that do work..darn,
Well it looks like they are finally doing what the majority of people want...waiting and not forcing anything. We really need to have a cost/benefit on all of these stadium proposals. If we don't stand to make any money on it, well, be honest and say this is more for fun than money. We need transparency and more data, the leaders were right to wait since we currently have neither.
My selfish take...
As a Packer fan I want them to leave so the Pack is on my TV. hahaha On a slightly more serious note, the Packers are adding on to there stadium (7000 seats) and it is 100% self financed proving it can happen. They also have some of the lowest ticket prices in the league and highest profits.
The performance of Minnesota's political leadership in the stadium debate at least is not as bad as what we have in DC. ..as far as we know, none of our own politicians in MN are on the take as we see with former Corzine, NJ Governor who used to be a big shot at Goldman Sachs, Corzine bundled $500,000 to Obama's campaign and now he is set to get $12 million pay out after collapsing the MF hedge funds group that can't account for $600,000 while filing bankruptcy....such transparency. Maybe the Vikings can do such a deal to get the money? ( gag)
@steve the critic cynic
he writes, "I invite readers to notice that kimMN has not denied being a paid shill, even when asked a direct question about it. As such, comments by kimMN cannot be given any serious credence. Reasoning with such folks is futile."
Posted by Steve the Cynic | November 3, 2011 10:24 AM
Dear Steve , Sorry I am not paid by anyone but I do have an ear into some of the DC crowd in the media. When did your arrogance exceed your rhetoric to demand anyone posting must answer to your charges or be found guilty? So in your reasoning I should ask you in return
" Have YOU stopped beating your wife, yet?" and then demand a Yes or No response or we all will assume you have! :)
Lastly my comments are NOT to debate as Steve the cynic likes to do. People have their opinions and posting alternative ideas to liberal views only expands the awareness.
Leadership needs to give factual information about the advantages of keeping the team in Minnesota. In the past, the Vikings have had to beg people to buy tickets so that the game wouldn't be blacked out. Maybe the Vikings could win more games if they moved to another state
The common talk of the town in cafes, churches, job and bars during football season is about the Vikings. Think about what the people want, not according to a distorted political ideology. If the Vikings leave, a big hole will be put into an already fragile Minnesota economy, The politicans who forced the Vikings to leave will never get re-elected.
It is business leadership that is totally missing from the debate. When pro sports came to MN it was the business community that led the charge. There's been lots of talk about how important having pro sports teams is in recruiting and retaining high-value employees. Harvey Mackay weighed in on it this week in the Strib. Yet from what I can tell none of these business leaders who find it so critical to have pro sports are stepping up to make something happen. Why not, and where are they?
I'm surprised no one has stepped forward with a proposal that works for the state, if the stadium costs 1 billion dollars, and the vikings want the state to put up 500 million for it, then lets make it a loan in which the Vikings make payments on the loan every game, so if we make it a 10 year loan, then the vikings can pay the state of MN $3,850,000 per game played based on a 13 game season. After 10 years they will be full owners of the stadium. They can pass the loan payment into the cost of tickets, if the stadium seats 100,000 people, then each persons ticket will cost $38.50 more to cover the cost of the stadium which will be taxed and bring in more revenue to the state. This way, the people who want the stadium pay for it.
I also say, let the lease expire on the dome, bulldoze it, and make the vikings find somewhere else to play next year. I'm tired of being blackmailed by sports franchises.
Typically poor.
Pretty sad, in my view. Since we, the people of MN, elected the leaders? we have nothing substantial has been accomplished. College tuitition has gone up, for many property taxes will go up, my auto licensing fees (not the tax) have gone up.
We haven't solved our budget problem, why worry about a stadium for the Vikings. Let them move.
A failed attempt at leadership from Governor Dayton, and a complete lack of desire to lead from speaker Zellers.
Where is the leadership in presenting the obvious majority opinion to the Vikings? We dearly want them to stay, but there's no way we'll be coughing up the insane amount of money they're demanding!
Why aren't our leaders calling out the Vikings on blackmailing us. Where's the bi-partisan news conference where Republican and Democrat alike accuse the Vikings of disloyalty?
Why was Senator Marty's generous proposal to basically GIVE the Metrodome to the Vikings allowed to be dismissed as a "non-starter"?
Why are there not more aggressive alternative proposals such as this coming from our other political leaders?
Where's the public proposal to buy the Vikings? After all, they are still turning a tidy profit (albeit not as much as the greedy ownership would like) that could be used to shore up our state finances.
Real leadership would call on the Vikings to sign a 10 year contract extension on the Metrodome before we even DEBATE how much money to spend subsidizing. If the Vikings bolt for California, good riddance to the traitors! And the moment that happens our "leaders" need to start leaning on the NFL for the people of Minnesota to own a new, loyal to the end, Minnesota football expansion franchise.
I'll take responsibility for the vikings leaving the state, if occurs because the legislature doesn't pony up public money for a major corporation. Proudly. Unlike local arts and culture - the Vikings are part of a fully private partial-monopoly who have had more public money dumped at thei feet than any other. the NCAA funds massive minor-league football programs on the public dime, we've built them stadiums, roads, granted them tax exemptions, and... still it isn' enough. Well .... actually it is enough. I'm done with a buhsiness that can't run itself like a business.
We don't have political leadership at any level in the state... both parties first justification for ANY position they have is .... "polling shows ..." . That means - we the differently informed, highly biased, camp-based, poltically active blogonistas, marchers, callers and door-pounders are running the state .. and apparently ... into the ground. Leadership is the occaisional ablity to tell your own partisans .... "yer wrong" and to the opposition - "hey that's good idea". Leadership is also the daily ability to look at your opposition and say - "OK I see what your after - can we get there a different way that works for me too." The increasing power of the Republicans in Minnesota's legislature didn't bring about the bone-headed poll-driven politician ... it just brought the Republicans voice to the table. Both sides - however - need to realize - the old game is gone. Work together or sink together.
I invite readers to notice that kimMN has not denied being a paid shill, even when asked a direct question about it. As such, comments by kimMN cannot be given any serious credence. Reasoning with such folks is futile.
Weak, but typical. As "John O." articulated, the legislators are only serving their big campaign contributors at the expense of taxpayers, legislative resources, and all other necessary programs that are currently in dire straits.
For the Vikings to warn that they might leave the state is an empty threat, a bully tactic, and an insulting slap to our feelings of team loyalty. Do we not remember Pohlad's phony talk about selling the Twins to a North Carolina businessman? For that reason alone I would resist giving the Vikings any funding.
See also comments from "Reggie" and "Joanna".
The same way I'd describe their performance on any issue. Childish. Anything the Govenor is for, the leadership is against - no compromise allowed. I don't think they care about being leaders. To them it's all about winning the political game.
Disingenuous. Each thread of direction is dictated by self-interest, money and influence.
What ever happened to being a steward of your constituents?
Lets step back and look at what the Congressional meeting notes show on the process for this fiasco to exist.
Zeller did right to resist. Dayton was doing a Nancy Pelosi move, as she said on TV about the Obama health care reform bill, " We HAVE to pass this bill to SEE what's in it." Dayton had not presented the detailed resolution plan so all could see the fine details yet Dayton wanted a special session to mold the plan that was not ready.
This reminds me of the 34 billion set aside for the federal Energy Dept to spend as they choose and then lose as they did with Solyndra, Sunpower and Beacon Power. Over two billion wasted that could have funded how many school renovations or assistance to homeless kids?
In MN it is the same crap today with our Democrats' approval of the act with North Dakota electricity deal where North Dakota has to ask permission_ permission_ to sell us electricity to follow the Federal government's sanctions.....Obama was right when we he said, " Under my plan, when elected, electricity rates will necessarily SKY ROCKET." Our electricity rates will go up soon unless ND sues successfully to stop the Fed and Mn from an unconstitutional act. Meanwhile Obama admin. loans out 20 billion from the second stimulus plan to Brazil for deep water oil drilling,, yes to Brazil in 2009. We are taxed to assist a company that George Soros had a huge stock shae holdings?? Amazing but its the Pay to Play Chicago style once more in action. I guess that loan made Obama more lovable to surrounding dictators like Hugo Chavez and helped his pal, George Soros make an extra $300 million on his shares.
Ya know folks, if our leader was true to his stance on being transparent and no more lobby influences in his cabinet, we wouldn't have these type of issues that trickle down to even our Governor's helping super wealthy NFL monopoly at our expense..go check your property tax record and see ow that looks today as your property value has dropped a good 20% I won't ever vote for those who support the Obama and Dayton ideolgy.
They certainly did not do the visible right thing by refusing to negotiate with the Vikings but in the end, inactivity has perhaps achieved the same end. At a time when none of our public institutions have enough money to do their jobs, the state should not be funding the ambitions of millionaires.
Leadership? For who? If it doesn't get passed is that a "lack of leadership" or vice-versa? I ask again, leadership? How do you define leadership in this case?
The NFL just signed a HUGE contract between owners and players on how to split the HUGE amount of TV revenue.
Call their bluff.
Have the TV stations pay for the stadium?
The legislative majority are not capable of an original, creative idea on any topic. Thus deadlines are ineffective. Proven with the "budget crisis", should this be any different.
Technically, Bear, they didn't raise property taxes. They forced local governments to raise them. Either way, though, they made MN taxes even more regressive than they already were. Regressive taxes are not necessarily bad, if they pay for progressive benefits, but the Gang Of Plutocrats forced cuts in those, too. Having done that, I'm sure they realized it would be political suicide to support corporate welfare for the Wilfs.
Their performance? It's exactly what I expected. If they couldn't even agree on a budget to help the people of Minnesota, what makes you think they'll make their minds up regarding a stadium?
I think they've been oddly representative of the true public opinion on the Vikings stadium. Nobody really wants the Vikings to leave Minnesota, but the idea that we have to pony up tribute every few years in the form of a sports palace stinks to high heaven, especially in a time of cutting much needed support out from under some of the most vulnerable people in our state. Nobody wants to be the one who said no, but nobody wants to be the one who pays the extortionists. Everybody knows a referendum would have killed the Ramsey county deal (heck, I know I would have voted against it. I spend most of my money within Ramsey county, and I would never have been able to afford tickets to the Thunderdome). In the end we didn't need a referendum, the representatives, by requiring one, stuck the fork in that one, saving us the trouble. What I want to know is, why was the NFL allowed to outlaw the solution to this cycle of extortion that Green Bay arrived at? Isn't that just the height of anti-competitive crap? Somebody should build a RICO case against the whole NFL. Communities should be allowed to own their teams. Then the investments that communities made in them would make sense, instead of being tribute to gangsters.
I think Zeller's announcement last night shows incompetence and inexperience, why wouldn't he say anything earlier if he didn't support a special session? I think it says a lot about the republicans that they would elect someone who is clearly not up to a position of leadership. The fact that the republicans found it more important to put an anti-marriage amendment on the ballot instead of a funding referendum for a new stadium shows that they are completely out of touch.
I predict the GOP and the DFL are soon to be trading charges about which party "allowed" the Vikings to leave Minnesota, which they will almost certainly do, given the long-standing stalemate between the parties. How they will parlay those charges into beguiling Minnesotans into voting for either party remains to be seen. Yet I wonder at the wisdom of pouring tax money into a stadium that will only be used eight or so times per year and would be wholly owned by a private enterprise. Goodbye Vikings....it was nice to have you here for four winless Super Bowls.
Think I answered this the other day when the other non-issue was brought up as to whether professional sports teams are part of Minnesota's heritage.
That, as well as everything else our beloved politicians have done for the past several years adds up to a bunch of NOTHING! The politician need to DO THEIR JOB and make a decision, and then get on to more important business. Yes they'll have to face the consequences at the next election. There are not enough vikings fans to guaranty their re-election, but there's enough to make it very hard for them to get re-elected. I suggest they all update their resumes because I can't see myself voting for any of them. But I made up my mind on that during the state shutdown.
Oh but Steve both parties did agree to raise revenues … albeit in a Machiavellian shell game … be sitting down when you open your property tax statement later this month … your home valuation most likely decreased, but taxes increased!
Apparently, trying to score political points against Governor Dayton trumps maintainIng a valuable state resource and wellspring of pride. Zellers and Koch would be chomping at the bit for a special session if Pawlenty still was in office.
I have to commend the Republican caucuses. Having shut down the government rather than agreeing to raise revenue to fund truly important things, they apparently realized it would be supremely hypocritical to use state resources to support Zigi's proposed new playground. Even so, it's not enough to get me to vote for the Greedy Oligarchic Party next time around.
I would rate the performance of the political leadership much higher than I would rate the performance of the media. The issue really does not deserve the front page headlines that it is getting. If the Vikings leave we will watch the Green Bay Packers on Sunday which would be fine.
Political.
Also, moronic. Apparently the ONLY THING happening in state politics over the past month has been dealing with the stadium issue. It would appear that all other issues in the state have been resolved: Economic growth is restored, all who want employment have it and are well paid, affordable health care is available to everyone, energy needs are being met with room to spare, education is well funded and managed, our infrastructure is top notch, and the natural environment is in perfect shape. I haven't actually heard any of this stuff reported in the news, but it must be so, since the only thing the Governor appears to be concerned about is getting a stadium built with the assistance of the state's happy, healthy, and financially secure citizens.
I [reluctantly] voted for Dayton in 2010. I will not be voting for him again.
And as often as I've disagreed with the GOP establishment, right now I'm pretty pleased with the work our Republican legislative leadership has done to keep Zygi's hands out of the public cookie jar.
So now the same leadership that rigidly flaunted public opinion that revenues should be raised along while spending is being cut now solicits our input? Narrow mindedness is at least consistent. I'm no longer sure what to make of the GOP...
Professional sports is a business and this is supposed to be America, the land of capitalism. Since when are we supposed to subsidize businesses, especially ones that are profitable? What part of this do politicians not understand?
They handled it just like I would have expected them to at this point. It's a nice little preview of what the regular session will be like. Nov 2012 can't come fast enough.
The Speaker and the Majority Leader are walking a frayed tightrope between alienating members of their own caucus opposed to a new stadium and folks who have made some significant campaign contributions in the past.
According to reports available online from the MN Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board, the Minnesota Vikings made a total of just over $3 million in political contributions at the state level between 2005 and 2010.
A cursory glance of 2010 records from the MN Campaign Finance Board also shows that members of the Wilf family made significant contributions to a cross-section of candidates on all sides (Tom Horner, Tom Emmer and Mark Dayton included) in the 2010 reports. Some of their larger contributions went to the House and Senate Republican caucuses.
Juvenile. Like 5 year bullies fighting in the sandbox. There is ALWAYS a win win if ego is removed from the debate, so remove the egos and get on with it already!
Typical. There are politicians that want to continue the policy of corporate welfare. Which is best described as a policy which allows for taxpayer money to help fund a successful business enterprise.
On the other hand there a politicians who are against this policy of taxpayer funded subsidies to successful businesses.
Then we have politicians who want to avoid their responsibilities as elected officials and leave it up to the voters with a referendum.
All sides have made their views known to the voters. And in 2012 the voters will have a say in which of the sides they support.
With all the pressing issues facing our elected leaders--library closures, hungry children, homelessness, tornado damage, jobs and foreclosures--the time and energy they are spending trying to give our tax dollars to a billionaire is a huge waste of their time. If this much political were being put into alleviating the suffering of the least fortunate in Minnesota, I would applaud them. As it is, I am disgusted that thuggish billionaires are trying to extract more public resources in the form of corporate welfare while schools continue to make painful cuts, the courts are understaffed, and people are lining up at food shelves. If the Vikings want a new stadium, let them pay for it.
Leadership? Real leaders would have nipped this entire debate in the bud two years ago and made it clear that when we can't adequately fund services for regular citizens -- roads, bridges, schools, public safety, natural resources, libraries, parks, etc. -- we won't provide a single dollar of public money to a privately owned entertainment business. Period.
Instead, our public servants have spent untold hours trying to find and justify an expenditure that they won't take to the public for a vote because they know how that would turn out. That's not leadership.
My representatives have done a perfect job fighting for what I believe in regarding the referendum waiver.
Once again, the GOP is passing the buck by putting off the issue until it is too late to prevent damage. In doing so, they will become known as the party which forced the Vikings from Minnesota. Considering the Vikings status as the number 1 sports team in the state, that is not a desirable title to hold.
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- Should authorities in the Twin Cities change the way they warn people about tornadoes?
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Looking for ways to ensure your students are doing quality research from credible sources? Sound Learning is a launching point to Minnesota Public Radio's content on the Web. -
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Your daily note for good music, news and pop culture. With attempted jokes.
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