tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3126825064641092276.post3647874720620705536..comments2023-10-29T09:14:37.832-04:00Comments on Painfully Objective Political Analysis (POPA): Mayor Ballard is a Coward!Chris Wordenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00558836541249077077noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3126825064641092276.post-16323564481136949822009-04-03T06:59:00.000-04:002009-04-03T06:59:00.000-04:00Nice post, IPOPA.But, a little nitpick on your rep...Nice post, IPOPA.<BR/><BR/>But, a little nitpick on your reply to Paul. <BR/><BR/>Democrats have an aristocracy of our very own. Sure, we don't call it an elitist society, separated from the common ruck, but it's there. The main difference from the Republican one is that the Democratic one isn't quite as difficult to join. <BR/><BR/>Rank and filers just don't get to see it very often (except in People Magazine or on TV).varangianguardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12571595354792261993noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3126825064641092276.post-63218095557731359352009-04-02T15:51:00.000-04:002009-04-02T15:51:00.000-04:00Thanks for your comments, Paul. While I'm relucta...Thanks for your comments, Paul. <BR/><BR/>While I'm reluctant to turn down <BR/>hero status, I cannot say I'm always opposed to tax increases. For example, I voted for the IPS bond issue in the last election. Now, maybe later on if the implementation is not done properly, I'll be saying shame on me in the same way members of Congress are speaking about themselves on the bailout. But I couldn't figure out how else to get air conditioning into the schools, and I don't know how any kid or teacher can be comfortable in an 80-degree room (and I've been in a few at IPS schools). Ideally, the school would become more efficient and redirect funds elsewhere, but I'm not going to support kids and teachers suffering in crappy buildings because of finances they can't control. In that instance, it was almost a moral decision for me. I said I would commit my (and obviously your) tax dollars regardless of whether it improves educational outcomes (though I think it will) because I want teachers and kids to be able to tolerate their work environment. <BR/><BR/>Here? It's a pure economic argument. Nobody is saying to me we need the Pacers to keep up city morale, or that we have a moral duty. Instead, we're being told we must keep the team, or we hurt our local economy and finances. But, except for the alcohol tax, everything they are to do will backfire. Then what? Even HIGHER taxes? <BR/><BR/>And understand, I don't harbor any ill will toward the Simons. They are reportedly some of the nicest people alive, they do many wonderful philanthropic things, and they have been some of the most generous donors to my party. But for me, being a Democrat stamds for many things, two of which are: <BR/><BR/>(1) being anti-aristocracy; and <BR/><BR/>(2) not hitting average people with higher taxes burdens to ensure people who are very wealthy (even billionaire Democrats) get to perpetuate that aristocracy.<BR/><BR/>From a PR perspective, the Simons walked in it when they said they can't keep losing money every year with the Pacers because they are thinking about their heirs. Even conservatively, the value of their initial investment in the Pacers has risen 30% per year since they've been here, so operating loss is different than net worth loss. But even if the Pacers were bleeding to zero value, the Simons' net worth is over 1.5 billion, as I recall. <BR/><BR/>That's not enough? Isn't that homes plus private school and Ivy League college tuition for every Simon grandchild and great grandchild? Yes, some of them will have to work hard like Herb and Mel before they get multiple homes and private jets. But I'm sure they'll adjust to working life just like the rest of us.Chris Wordenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00558836541249077077noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3126825064641092276.post-3193611371518065362009-04-02T14:04:00.000-04:002009-04-02T14:04:00.000-04:00I think I've mentioned this before, but you are my...I think I've mentioned this before, but you are my hero. All the other D's out there won't address the specifics of the CIB bailout plans and only want to address Ballard's lack of leadership. While the lack of leadership is without question, there is obviously a problem with the idea of taking hard earned taxpayer money and give it to billionaire sports owners. Yet other D bloggers refuse to criticize the actual bailout, which is because they actually support corporate welfare for the Simons and others. You though don't ran away from the actual issues. For that I commend you.Paul K. Ogdenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16137003328850866711noreply@blogger.com