America qua Rome: The Cost of Circuses

Posted by $ MikeMarotta 9 years, 9 months ago to Culture
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"All politics is local." The St. Louis Rams just abandoned the city that built a stadium for them, leaving behind a debt of $144 million. You cannot blame the Washington bureaucrats, or international bankers. This is deeply cultural.

"In 2002, St. Louis city voters displayed their frustration with public stadium financing by passing a ballot measure that required a public vote to approve any future sports subsidies.

But last summer, a judge invalidated the law as too vague. The next day, voters rejected a $180 million proposal to purchase more fire trucks and improve police equipment."

Full story from Reuters here:
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-spo...

All Comments

  • Posted by freedomforall 9 years, 9 months ago in reply to this comment.
    After posting I thought, Trump would probably have been a double agent, taking payment from both sides with no risk in the outcome. Just the way he would as president.
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  • Posted by $ jdg 9 years, 9 months ago in reply to this comment.
    If Trump had been involved he'd be on the team's side anyway. Remember, Trump's original claim to fame was owning the NJ Generals of the USFL.
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  • Posted by DrZarkov99 9 years, 9 months ago in reply to this comment.
    And the whole place sits in the flow field of the Mt Ranier volcano (supposedly dormant, but has been rumbling recently).
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  • Posted by ChuckyBob 9 years, 9 months ago in reply to this comment.
    I grew up in Sacrademento. The city has so many REAL problems and yet the big issue is how the city wants so badly to build a stadium for a second rate, wannabe basketball team. In true liberal fashion, it will be financed on the back of businesses that can't vote to defend themselves. So the price of anything you buy in Sacto will go up to pay for the extra tax. Also, there is no free parking downtown. So, why would I drive past several nice malls with free parking to pay more in downtown Sacto to support a confiscatory "liberal paradise? "
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  • Posted by Herb7734 9 years, 9 months ago
    Seattle residents should be made to say "Arena Cost" every time they hit a pot hole.
    A large part of the problem is that many if not most Americans have no idea what money is, where it comes from, and how to use it. To most, it is a mythical item that gets you stuff. As a result they are entirely flummoxed when the improper use of money causes bad consequences.
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  • Posted by jtrikakis 9 years, 9 months ago
    when i lived in Houston, the NBA told the city build a new basketball arena or they would pull the team. Houston funded it. the old place is now a mega church.
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  • Posted by $ MichaelAarethun 9 years, 9 months ago
    OIn the other hand the City of Seattle wanted to build a stadium for the baseball team it was rejected so they got the state to declare an emergency and the whole state paid for it. Not satisfied they tore down the still unpaid for KingDome and put in a new football stadium.

    Wonder why the taxes go up in places like Seattle?????? Go down and look at the traffice mess. Both stadiums and two interstates and the ferry docks all in the same area.

    And they added light rail....
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  • Posted by $ MikeMarotta 9 years, 9 months ago in reply to this comment.
    I do not believe that it is all crumbling apart. The title here is America qua Rome, not America is Rome. It is just one aspect of a complicated society. Congratulations, though, on missing the Superbowl, though. Anyone who ever watched one is that much to blame for this much of the Circuses.
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  • Posted by Abaco 9 years, 9 months ago
    Breads and circuses. It's all crumbling apart. They are building a big arena for the Sacramento Kings and, as a result, all the hobos who where living in that part of downtown have been displaced, leading to real competition for bushes and eaves to sleep under around town.

    My brother and I grew up playing football, me in college. But, we've grown so tired of the joke that pro sports has become that we're going fishing on Sunday, instead. Can't even get ourselves to watch the game much anymore...
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  • Posted by freedomforall 9 years, 9 months ago
    Thanks for posting, Mike.

    Too bad St Louis didn't think to hire HRM Donald to negotiate on their behalf.
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