Observations
Ray McInerny, Sr., and his wife Jean, have lived in New Berlin for 32 years. A retired graphic artist, he now paints for his own enjoyment. This blog will attempt to present items of general interest to his New Berlin neighbors.
How much support is necessary?
In a survey on this blog page visitors were asked to express an opinion as to whether we should extend Miller Park Sales Tax to build a new downtown arena!
The so-called high speed rail from Milwaukee to Madison is another. Is it a great idea to have this rail? A system provided by private enterprise might be.. Why should the entire state be burdened with a bill close to a billion dollars to support this thing? In the northeast corridor of this nation where inter-urban rail serves a greater number of people it is done so at a loss - no profit, that is.
The free market, free enterprise gurus who harp and yap about too much government interference in our lives would love government (you and me) to support these losers though.
My acid reflux from this situation is fed by the realization that in days past the arena and parks were owned by the people who operated the sports clubs. Comiskey Park, Ebbets Field, Wrigely Field, and Boston Red Sox park are a few that come to mind. Some still exist and operate at a profit. The Cubs Wrigely Field for one.
The Bradley Center was handed to the City of Milwaukee without taxpayer cost, with the exception of the land, as a civic gesture from Jane Petit and her Allen-Bradley inheritance. A good way to spread your wealth and allow others to enjoy what you have. The Petit’s also had a hockey team for which they built that arena.
After thirty short years the building is judged to be inadequate for producing income to sustain the teams now playing there. Are the owner’s of those teams so short of cash or business acumen that they couldn’t persuade like-minded individuals to invest in a new facility? It is easier to go the public trough route apparently.
These sport subsidies are no different from the ethanol and energy backing on the federal level which generate corporate favoritism, distortions and higher prices in the market for goods and services, and more government dependency. Food and energy prices are too high as it is, and more subsidies for any product will ruin the free market.
Subsidies for sports will eventually erode the confidence of taxpayers in their governments. How many times can these people go to the well and not come up empty? Prices are raised at these events every year in spite of tax support to build the play field.
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