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Taxpayers League of Minnesota eUpdate
1. The David Strom Show presented by the Minnesota Free Market Institute.
2. When’s the last time a government project cost less than expected?
3. How can one man say so many stupid things in such a short amount of time?
4. Earmark Watch: Bringing Citizen Oversight to Congressional Spending.
5. John Berthoud, President of the National Taxpayers Union, 1962 – 2007.
1. The David Strom Show presented by the Minnesota Free Market Institute.
Tune in this Saturday to AM 1280 The Patriot from 9 – 11 am when David will be broadcasting live from Washington, D.C. and the Americans for Prosperity’s Defending the American Dream Summit.
2. When’s the last time a government project cost less than expected?
So state legislators are “shocked, shocked” that the reconstruction of the 35W bridge over the Mississippi River will cost more than was originally thought. Big surprise, right? I guess cost overruns aren’t a problem when the project is near-worthless train.
Want an idea as to why the bridge project is costing more than legislators and MnDOT officials had originally anticipated? Read Phil’s most recent column from Monday’s St. Paul Legal Ledger and find out (posted at the blog True North).
3. How can one man say so many stupid things in such a short amount of time?
That one man being, or course, Vikings owner Zygi Wilf and those many stupid things being the comments he made at a U of M Carlson School of Management luncheon on Tuesday. To wit: “There has been a bad rap that all you're doing is further enriching an owner if you give public funds for a new stadium, but that is not the case. It's a fallacy.” A fallacy, really? Are you sure you know what the word “fallacy” means?
This is a good one, too: "When you put the entire equation together, if we build a new stadium, pretty much from a financial outlook we would pretty much be pretty close to the situation that we're in today.” I think that’s pretty much a load of crap. And I’m not alone. Andrew Zimbalist, one of nation’s leading sports economists, thinks Zygi is full of it as well; “Without knowing the details of the project, and the financing of it, it's hard to believe this is not a net benefit to him. Indeed, it would strike me as something that would benefit the owner, to the bottom line, considerably over $10 million a year.”
Aside from the “Don’t Be Evil” hypocrites at Google – who seem to have no qualms about knuckling under to the ChiComs – there’s no such thing as a benevolent corporation. Particularly in the world of professional sports. If you think anything other than greed is motivating Wilf then you deserve to be swindled by the latest Viking’s snake oil salesman.
4. Earmark Watch: Bringing Citizen Oversight to Congressional Spending.
“Here's your chance to investigate earmarks – those spending measures inserted by members of Congress into bills that direct taxpayer dollars to their pet projects. Are members using earmarks to meet pressing needs? Reward political supporters? Are they good public policy, or vehicles for pure pork? Every earmark is different, and we currently have over 3,000 of them online, ready and waiting for you to dig into.
“The research framework we're providing asks you specific questions about the recipient of the earmark and the member who sponsored it, and provides links to the sources of information you can search for answers.
“You will also have an opportunity to provide additional information from your own research. We offer some suggestions and ideas for additional information you can find, but feel free to follow your own instincts.”
5. John Berthoud, President of the National Taxpayers Union, 1962 – 2007.
“We are sorry to announce the passing of John Berthoud. As you may know, he has led both the National Taxpayers Union and National Taxpayers Union Foundation over the last 11 years. We have looked to him as a strong leader, compassionate friend, and a fierce fighter for freedom.
“Pete Sepp, Vice President for Communications, shared his surprise, ‘John Berthoud's death today was as sudden as it was shocking and saddening to all who knew him. His colleagues found him in peace at his home today. All of our staff, just as the entire policy community in Washington, are doing the best they can to cope with an irreplaceable loss.’
“We give our sincere condolences to his family and friends and hope you will pay tribute with comments to our blog. Sepp continued, ‘John was a true 21st century Renaissance man. He was a teacher, a mentor, a respected intellectual, and a lover of life. That's what makes his passing all the more tragic.’ Though we mourn the loss of a man and celebrate his amazing life filled with love, study, travel, and leadership, his cause and a hope for a brighter future lives on. We will press on with purpose and be thankful for his contributions to our own journeys.”
If you’re unfamiliar with the life and work of John Berthoud I suggest you click on the “blog” link above and scroll through the memories section. John will truly be missed.
The Taxpayers League of Minnesota's E Update is written by Mark Giga
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