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I was listening to Chris Baker on KTLK 100.3FM this morning. I enjoy Chris, a solid conservative, who is edgy clever and does a good job at pulling new people in by fighting the stale image of the country club Republican. This in part is why I listen to him in the mornings, that and he covers local issues. Sorry, but despite the great guests Bill Bennett has over at 1280, he just puts me to sleep.
This morning Baker covered a local issue that has been the subject of debate here in Minnesota for at least 10 years—a new Minnesota Vikings stadium. Baker is in favor of it. Now to his credit, he's not just throwing in the towel and cheering "fund it, fund it, with taxpayer's money Now!" He is asking that it be voted on. But to his discredit, he is saying, "That's the way things are done these days." This is true, and that is precisely why we should oppose it. "The way things are done" is exactly why we are in trouble locally, at the state level, and nationally. The loose spending and credit card mindset must stop.
I understand both the popularity of the Vikings being on a hot season with the added moxie and star power of Brett Favre, and Baker's obligatory support of the Vikes because 100.3 carries them. No problem. I also get that by national standards, the 'dome' is beyond old-school. But 'the way things are done' just won't cut the mustard. Not with the voter, not with the economy, and not with the state deficit.
I'm all for it if it can be done by private investors, the NFL, businesses, or individual shares ala Green Bay or some combination thereof. But 'just say no' needs to be the answer to more tax payer burden for a stadium. Sorry, but when our own interests and desires get in the way of our principles, we have to be honest with ourselves.
The new session is coming up on February 4th, I hope the allure of a star-studded winning season will not cloud the judgment of the few common sense players remaining in the legislature.
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