The taxpayer, the Falcons and the question of priorities
As owner of the Atlanta Falcons, Arthur Blank runs a class operation that represents the city well. And as such arrangements go, the proposal to build a $1 billion Falcons stadium downtown with $300 million in taxpayer subsidies is reasonable and probably fiscally sound.
But still ….
The NFL is easily the most profitable sports league on the planet. All 32 of its teams are included in Forbes’ magazine’s list of the 50 most valuable sports franchises on the planet. (The Falcons are listed at 35th with a value of $831 million, up from $545 million when Blank bought the team in 2002.) And because live sports programming is becoming more and more valuable to advertisers, lucrative new contracts will bring more the league more than $6 billion a year in TV revenue beginning in 2014. That represents a 50 to 60 percent increase.
Now contrast that prosperity with the fiscal plight of state and local government. Thousands of workers have been laid off in Georgia, including police officers, firefighters and teachers. We tell ourselves that education is the key to prosperity, but in many cases we can’t afford to keep our kids in school for the once-standard 180 days a year. Our transportation infrastructure is inadequate to meet the demands placed upon it, yet any attempt to raise taxes to generate the necessary money is rejected.
Overall, we’re told, government can no longer do the things we want it to do; it must do only those things that we need it to do.
Given those realities, why should the Falcons demand that the public subsidize their new stadium, particularly when the publicly funded Georgia Dome continues to serve that purpose admirably?
The short answer is also the honest answer — because they can. They don’t really need the money, or even a new stadium for that matter, but in a sports-mad world they can get it. So why not? Everyone else is doing it. It’s a “bigger is better” league, from quarterbacks that go 6-5, 275 pounds to stadiums that charge fans a five-figure fee just for the right to later buy tickets. And in that hyper-competitive world, it is considered unacceptable for the Falcons to be condemned to play in the 20-year-old Georgia Dome, the 10th-oldest stadium in the league.
Under the proposed terms, the Georgia World Congress Center Authority would supply the land for a new stadium, plus contribute roughly a third of the construction cost. That public contribution would be raised through a 30-year extension of the hotel/motel tax. Proponents of the deal argue that because the hotel/motel tax is paid by visitors to Atlanta, rather than by residents of metro Atlanta, it is somehow less of a tax. However, it is also money that by a simple act of the Legislature could be diverted to purposes more crucial than subsidizing a quite profitable sports franchise.
Under the terms of the proposal, the Falcons “will retain revenue streams from the new stadium, including tickets, premium seating, food and beverage, sponsorships, naming rights and certain parking revenue.” That’s for all events at the stadium, not just Falcons games. In return, the Falcons will pay the state authority $2.5 million a year. For the sake of context, that’s about what the team pays an offensive lineman.
And again, in the universe of such deals, the Falcons could perhaps have demanded even better treatment.
Assessed from a purely practical point of view, such a deal is still hard to justify. But this is the world of sports, in which rationality and practicality are often bench players to irrationality and emotion. If any other line of work inflicted the concussions, the crippling injuries, the long-term brain damage and shortened lifespans of football, for example, it would have been legislated out of existence long ago.
Instead, we pack stadiums and find ourselves yelling at our TV sets, driven by the human thirst for pride, glory and rushes of adrenalin, even if they have to be experienced second-hand and subsidized with money that would be much better spent elsewhere.
– Jay Bookman
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702 comments Add your comment
Mick
December 12th, 2012
12:44 pm
The new marlins stadium is state of the art, aesthetically perfect but should have not been built by taxpayers for a MLB team.
Now that being said, it would be the perfect venue for a pink floyd reunion concert!!!
getalife
December 12th, 2012
12:44 pm
willie,
Pay up moocher.
Nero
December 12th, 2012
12:44 pm
dearth…BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!
larry
December 12th, 2012
12:47 pm
Now that being said, it would be the perfect venue for a pink floyd reunion concert!!!
Except that two of the members have passed into that Dark Side of the Moon in the sky.
Doggone/GA
December 12th, 2012
12:48 pm
“My Godson shacked up with a stripper from the Pony and had a baby”
I bet his doctor was AMAZED
Brosephus™
December 12th, 2012
12:50 pm
Doggone
USinUK - not very ladylike (and former Girl Scout)
December 12th, 2012
12:51 pm
“Two democratic lawmakers want miners to pay the same 12.5 percent in royalties as oil companies, a move that could bring hundreds of millions of dollars in new annual revenue.”
they’re mining on federal land.
why should we NOT get royalties from them?
Erwin's cat
December 12th, 2012
12:52 pm
a 35 yr old dome that was completely rebuilt with taxpayer money after Katrina
Mick
December 12th, 2012
12:52 pm
larry
True, but I would suggest john paul jones filling in for rick wright. Syd barret wasn’t really part of their best work…
USinUK - not very ladylike (and former Girl Scout)
December 12th, 2012
12:52 pm
“Except that two of the members have passed into that Dark Side of the Moon in the sky”
roger waters is playing tonight in the 121212 concert …
0311/8541/5811/1811/1801
December 12th, 2012
12:53 pm
Hey ……….. how about the lack of mainstream media coverage of the latest union thuggery/assault in Michigan.
Not surprising …………… just imagine if a “Tea Partier” had assaulted someone from CNN.
It would be non-stop on the news !!
Mick
December 12th, 2012
12:53 pm
usinuk
My brother is flying out today to be with his gal in the UK for the next six months, what’s the weather like today?
Moderate Line
December 12th, 2012
12:55 pm
Fred ™
December 12th, 2012
8:51 am
Moderate Line
December 12th, 2012
7:43 am
I have no problem with the article other than your assuming value has something to do with profit. That is not the case especially when it comes to sports teams. A good book to read is “Soccernomics” by Stefan Szymanski.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++
Really? So if Brother Artie sold the team for the reported 831 MILLION dollars he wouldn’t make a nice 286 MILLION DOLLAR PROFIT?
++++
Technically it is not a profit.
Keep Up the Good Fight!
December 12th, 2012
12:55 pm
Seems to me that if miners are not paying royalties for mining on federal land, then they have been getting freebies for years.
0311/8541/5811/1811/1801
December 12th, 2012
12:55 pm
Republic vs. Democracy
“Notice that in a Democracy, the sovereignty is in the whole body of the free citizens. The sovereignty is not divided to smaller units such as individual citizens. To solve a problem, only the whole body politic is authorized to act. Also, being citizens, individuals have duties and obligations to the government. The government’s only obligations to the citizens are those legislatively pre-defined for it by the whole body politic.
In a Republic, the sovereignty resides in the people themselves, whether one or many. In a Republic, one may act on his own or through his representatives as he chooses to solve a problem. Further, the people have no obligation to the government; instead, the government being hired by the people, is obliged to its owner, the people.”
http://www.1215.org/lawnotes/lawnotes/repvsdem.htm
stands for decibels
December 12th, 2012
12:56 pm
I’m guessing Jay’s probably gonna hit it later on
But, enough about Sofia Vergara.
Brosephus™
December 12th, 2012
12:57 pm
dB
Jay’s gotta get in line behind the brother for that one.
Andy
December 12th, 2012
12:59 pm
If you’re working for a living and paying net taxes you’re doing it wrong.
The cool new thing for half the population is living off those who work so quit your job, get on food stamps, WIC, Peachcare, Section 8, Obamacare, get you an Obamaphone and sit on your @sses all day. That is unless you want to use your EBT at da strip club up on Memorial Dr.
Old Physics Teacher
December 12th, 2012
12:59 pm
Realist,
I’ve seen your stats numerous times. I’m reminded of the DA who said in court, “The Law applies equally to the rich and poor! The Law prevents the rich man from sleeping under a bridge just like it prevents the poor man!”
There is a simple reason the rich pay more. The rich have a greater stake in the continuation of the republic. The police doesn’t protect the poor people (or the middle-class) as well as it protects the rich man. The rich man has more “stuff” and needs more protection to keep from losing it. The rich should pay the majority of the costs. The roads are necessary for their products to be moved from town to town. They should pay the majority of that cost. The analogy about the Bush tax cuts to a lunch is in error. The rich guy is eating steak with expensive wine. The poor guy is eating mush and barely surviving. The “cut” of the “discount” should not be equal – and wasn’t for the above reason. And by the way, my taxes (and I pay a chunk!) will go up too because I’m in the upper 5%, and I didn’t make it being a school teacher! A rising tide (middle-class) raises ALL boats. Something the 1% have forgotten in the “I’ve got mine; “blank” you!” mind set.
And on the subject of Jay’s topic, I agree with most of the posters that Arthur should absorb the total cost of the new stadium. That ain’t gonna happen though. The gorilla in the room can set where he darn well pleases. I hate that the rich get richer, but… the man started a business with the equity difference between his home in CA and the one he bought in GA, plus the shirt off his back and gambled big-time he was going to win. He turned that into mega millions. He is a top-notch businessman. He’s going to get his new stadium and make even more money. Hopefully, enough “furriners” (SC, AL, MS, et al) will come to Atlanta and spend a ton of money supporting their “foreign” teams. Arthur will pay the taxes WE require him to pay, and not one cent more. That’s his right to try to minimize them. We have an obligation to make sure his portion is “equitable and fair” to the benefits we get from his team.
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes
December 12th, 2012
1:00 pm
The cool new thing for half the population is living off those who work so quit your job, get on food stamps, WIC, Peachcare, Section 8, Obamacare, get you an Obamaphone and sit on your @sses all day.
Not intended to be a factual statement.
0311/8541/5811/1811/1801
December 12th, 2012
1:01 pm
“Motive a mystery in Oregon mall shooting”
Ah ………………………… he was crazy ? !
Erwin's cat
December 12th, 2012
1:01 pm
My brother is flying out today to be with his gal in the UK for the next six months, what’s the weather like today?
like most every other day this time of year….cold and wet…i’m guessin
stands for decibels
December 12th, 2012
1:02 pm
Not intended to be a factual statement.
Intended to be a douchebaggical statement.
Brosephus™
December 12th, 2012
1:02 pm
If you’re working for a living and paying net taxes you’re doing it wrong.
The cool new thing for half the population is…
Now, I understand where the mentality comes from where people actually believe you can purposefully cut your income and still be able to pay for the same things that you did before. Anytime a candidate shows any remote belief in such crap, they should be disqualified for holding any elected office whatsoever. That is beyond stooopid..
Mick
December 12th, 2012
1:02 pm
andy
Getting section 8 housing is not a rubber stamp, actually it is very difficult, as it should be. Collecting unemployment is not possible if you haven’t paid into it.
I really don’t know about this obama phone deal, is it a myth or true???
USinUK - not very ladylike (and former Girl Scout)
December 12th, 2012
1:03 pm
“how about the lack of mainstream media coverage of the latest union thuggery/assault in Michigan.”
you mean like in the Washington Post?
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/erik-wemple/wp/2012/12/12/fox-news-contributor-declares-hubbub-over-assault-is-getting-fun/
YouLibs
December 12th, 2012
1:03 pm
Spit it out, Andy. Stop hiding behind all that PC crap and tell us what you REALLY mean.
Williebkind
December 12th, 2012
1:04 pm
0311/8541/5811/1811/1801
December 12th, 2012
12:55 pm
Every demonstration the progressive liberals hurt somebody or destroy property or both. But thats OK right Jay?
The liberal union demonstrators took out knives and ripped apart tents. Hmmm I guess this aint worth reporting since they lied about the right to work law passed by the Mi. lawmakers.
Williebkind
December 12th, 2012
1:05 pm
Sorry I never read the Washington Puke.
Brosephus™
December 12th, 2012
1:05 pm
USinner
You know it would have been much shorter had he just…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NF3grZ-t1i8
Mick
December 12th, 2012
1:05 pm
cat
**i’m guessin**
That’s why I’m asking…
**
DawgDad
December 12th, 2012
1:05 pm
We use public money for a lot of things related to entertainment, the issue with pro sports is the blurring of the needed arms-length separation between public and private. The NFL is very powerful and in effect extorts public favors and funding (franchises pick up and move when they don’t get their way).
There is no right and wrong here. We elect politicians for a reason – to represent our interests in these matters. Your main opportunity to influence these dealings one way or the other is at the ballot box. And, I might add, this is NOT a partisan issue (it crosses party lines). This same issue comes up in Democratic controlled cities and States.
RF
December 12th, 2012
1:06 pm
Since I’ve been furloughed about 25 days since 2009, I guess I’ve made my contribution to the fund. Bet I won’t get a club level ticket for it though…
USinUK - not very ladylike (and former Girl Scout)
December 12th, 2012
1:06 pm
of course, while everyone is paying attention to the Michigan Right to Work law, no one is paying attention to the all-out assault on women’s access to health care
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/dec/12/michigan-womens-health-bill-abortions
indigo
December 12th, 2012
1:07 pm
Atlanta is awash in problems that will require a large amount of money to fix. So, why will we build a new stadium instead, you ask?
Because those who have the power and the money decide what we need and don’t need. (you didn’t really think your voice counted, did you?)
USinUK - not very ladylike (and former Girl Scout)
December 12th, 2012
1:07 pm
“Sorry I never read the Washington Puke.”
which explains why you’re so woefully uninformed and usually wrong … about everything.
Williebkind
December 12th, 2012
1:07 pm
Mick;
You dont pay into unemployment. You only receive free money. The unemployment is a tax paid by the employer.
0311/8541/5811/1811/1801
December 12th, 2012
1:08 pm
Williebkind:
Just wait ………… that kind of union thuggery/violence is just starting. It’s the way they operate.
USinUK - not very ladylike (and former Girl Scout)
December 12th, 2012
1:09 pm
Brocephus – 1:05
no. that gets reserved for Donovan’s epic whines …
Scoutty Scout gets … https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3FnpaWQJO0
Joe Hussein Mama
December 12th, 2012
1:09 pm
Willie — “Hmmm I guess this aint worth reporting since they lied about the right to work law passed by the Mi. lawmakers.”
Yeah, you just keep repeating that, Willie.
I asked you yesterday what the lie was, and you couldn’t be bothered to respond.
Skip
December 12th, 2012
1:10 pm
“Obana phone” started under Ronnie Raygun, funded by the phone companys.
Skip
December 12th, 2012
1:10 pm
Obama
USinUK - not very ladylike (and former Girl Scout)
December 12th, 2012
1:10 pm
“that kind of union thuggery/violence is just starting. It’s the way they operate.”
I love you guys and your predictive skills … they’re about as accurate as the predictive text on my iPhone.
Jim Turner
December 12th, 2012
1:10 pm
Gee Jay – It just goes to show you the difference in a business model (makes money) and government run (money pit).
Mick
December 12th, 2012
1:11 pm
willie
Yes, you are correct, if no one pays in then you get nothing and don’t qualify.
scout
Too bad YOUR union experience has tainted your views, but then, a closed mind is hard to open…
Erwin's cat
December 12th, 2012
1:11 pm
RF – Since I’ve been furloughed about 25 days since 2009, I guess I’ve made my contribution to the fund
did you spend those 25 days in a hotel downtown?
Keep Up the Good Fight!
December 12th, 2012
1:11 pm
that kind of union thuggery/violence is just starting. It’s the way they operate
Versus your buddies with the rubber hoses that you tolerate and that taint the names and reputations of good law enforcement officers.
Perhaps you can have some more agitators planted in the crowd, encourage more crimes against peaceful people, pepper spray more peaceful protesters. Who’s the real thugs?
Stevie Ray
December 12th, 2012
1:11 pm
Old Physics Teacher
December 12th, 2012
12:59 pm
That’s all good and well but how do you define “majority” of tax burden? 70%, 80%, 90%?
stands for decibels
December 12th, 2012
1:11 pm
I really don’t know about this obama phone deal
some background–short answer is it pre-dates Obama and per usual those who bitch about it are clueless:
http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/11_04/b4212019667595.htm
The Universal Service Administrative Co. (USAC)—which manages a federal fund to which U.S. telecom companies are required to contribute fees—pays carriers up to $10 per subscriber per month. While that amount may sound meager, it translates into roughly the same per-minute rate spent by the average paying U.S. wireless user. Meanwhile, Sprint’s costs of recruiting and keeping these customers are likely lower: Although more than half of regular prepaid wireless subscribers drop their service every year, Assurance users stay put. “We’ve seen very, very low churn,” Boehm says.
Until 2008 the government simply subsidized between $3 and $10 of qualifying low-income consumers’ monthly wireless bills as a way to assure their access to basic phone service; customers paid the rest out of pocket. (Uncle Sam offers similar subsidies for landline customers.) But since TracFone started offering totally free service in August 2008, paid directly by the subsidy, demand has soared. USAC’s annual disbursements to telcos providing low-income phone service rose 52 percent, to $1.25 billion, between 2008 and 2010. Free wireless is the biggest reason for the increase, with the new market generating hundreds of millions of dollars for service providers.
A staffer at the Federal Communications Commision, which oversees carriers, says the agency may consider tightening oversight and cost management of the fast-growing program. Still, agencies that promote the free phones see growth continuing. “Anytime the boss tells you not to come back to work, the home phone is the first to go,” says Sharon Goodson, executive director of North Carolina Community Action Assn., which has helped thousands apply for Assurance phones.
Brosephus™
December 12th, 2012
1:12 pm
USinner
Duly noted!!!
USinUK - not very ladylike (and former Girl Scout)
December 12th, 2012
1:14 pm
“in a business model (makes money) and government run (money pit).”
holy moses.
the stupid runs deep AND wide with you.
since when is government supposed to show a flipping PROFIT??? (here’s a hint: it’s not)
RB from Gwinnett
December 12th, 2012
1:14 pm
I was looking on the AJC site for a link to the story about the reporter who was attacked by the pro-union protesters yesterday. Anybody see it?
Brosephus™
December 12th, 2012
1:15 pm
That’s all good and well but how do you define “majority” of tax burden?
Not directed at me, but I’d define that as whatever percentage necessary to equalize TOTAL tax rates across the income classifications. That’s what progressive taxation is supposed to do, and that’s why federal income tax rates are set up to be progressive. Carried interest, dividends, and other income sources that the top 10% primarily use do not get taxed the same as income earned from labor. If you apply all taxes equal across all forms of income, then you don’t need a progressive federal tax rate. That would mean, though, you would have to apply ALL taxes, including payroll taxes to those other incomes.
Erwin's cat
December 12th, 2012
1:15 pm
indigo – Atlanta is awash in problems that will require a large amount of money to fix. So, why will we build a new stadium instead, you ask?
Because legally that money can only be spent by/on GWCC
Moderate Line
December 12th, 2012
1:15 pm
Brosephus™
December 12th, 2012
1:02 pm
If you’re working for a living and paying net taxes you’re doing it wrong.
The cool new thing for half the population is…
Now, I understand where the mentality comes from where people actually believe you can purposefully cut your income and still be able to pay for the same things that you did before. Anytime a candidate shows any remote belief in such crap, they should be disqualified for holding any elected office whatsoever. That is beyond stooopid..
++++
I guess you would also have to disquailify the ones who claim they are going to increase entitlements and they are NOT going to increase the tax burden.
Now, we just eliminted every canidate.
Stevie Ray
December 12th, 2012
1:17 pm
I’m trying to find latest spending cut proposal from BO and his crew. I heard it was 40 bln/year but the cuts would be negotiated after cliff is resolved…can anyone confirm this?
JohnnyReb
December 12th, 2012
1:17 pm
I have to punctuate my work with blogging. I think some of you guys its the other way around.
I have to do some homework before debatting the democracy vs republic thing further but the “… and to the Republic for which it stands…” is pretty telling thanks to Scout.
I see some are still rubbing in the Obama win. Yea, they think less than 51% of the vote is a mandate.
I’m a little hesitatant to point this out but most of the Moonbats here are smarter than the average bear and have figured it out on their own, plus a Conservative ego boost is in order.
While Libs are celebrating, Repubs are winning the long war. Look no further than the mid-term fall out for proof. Direct your attention to yesterday’s Right To Work law in Michigan. The Democratic machine is shaking. There goes the Union dues; there goes the Union contributions to the machine.
Joe Hussein Mama
December 12th, 2012
1:18 pm
J. Turner — “business model (makes money)”
Bernie Madoff’s business model certainly made money.
Thulsa Doom
December 12th, 2012
1:18 pm
Brocephus,
Yes. But they went way back down under that 102,000 after 06 because they had taken out seats due to the expansion. They were just over 100k for 1 or 2 seasons and then announced the new number literally the day after Bama announced its seats.
Not that it matters to anyone except UT fans. They were in the same peeing contest with Michigan for years and we used to joke about it on the sports blogs because every time UT wanted to expand to catch UM they would repaint the seats and take a few inches off the width of the seat to cram in more people.
You ever notice how crammed in their fans look when you watch a game? Years back their seat width was something like 27 inches, then they moved them to maybe 24, then 21 to squeeze in ever more bodies. I think they finally just gave up on catching Michigan and then downgraded in size to get some of that bigtime luxury box money but still try and be the biggest in the sec.
That’s the whole impetus behind why Blank wants a new stadium- luxury boxes. They bring in a lot more money per square foot than a regular seat. Its all about the money, money, money.
Speaking of stadiums have you had a chance to go back to ASU to check out their new stadium? When I went home for Thanksgiving I was coming back on the interstate just as the turkey day classic was ending. It was beautiful. The lights from the stadium stand out and look down on the interstate. It makes the stadium look grander and stand out more. I saw the pics of the whole stadium the next day in the paper. Very nice facility for the folks to be proud of.
Finn de Siècle (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
December 12th, 2012
1:19 pm
Seems as though we’re all gonna have a tax increase next year.
Doubt it. Even if we go over the cliff, Congress will vote for a middle class tax cut the 1st week of January while they let the tax cuts for the wealthy just expire.
Joe Hussein Mama
December 12th, 2012
1:19 pm
J. Reb — “I see some are still rubbing in the Obama win. Yea, they think less than 51% of the vote is a mandate.”
You’ve already been corrected on this point several times, Johnny.
Your point’s been made. Now go cry into your beer some more.
Keep Up the Good Fight!
December 12th, 2012
1:19 pm
Brosephus, well it looks like your job just got much tougher. I hope you are prepared to look very carefully for future violators. Its time to get hands on.
http://www.ajc.com/ap/ap/crime/spain-arrests-woman-with-cocaine-breast-implants/nTS6P
stands for decibels
December 12th, 2012
1:19 pm
no one is paying attention to the all-out assault on women’s access to health care
That’s one highly principled lame-duck legislative body, eh?
didn’t read the whole thing–are they going to make this one referendum-proof as well? Can’t have the filthy governed actually able to govern themselves, now can we.
Brosephus™
December 12th, 2012
1:19 pm
Now, we just eliminted every canidate.
Hell, works for me….
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes
December 12th, 2012
1:20 pm
I was looking on the AJC site for a link to the story about the reporter who was attacked by the pro-union protesters yesterday.
Steven Crowder is a “reporter” the same way that Ron Jeremy is an “actor.”
Finn de Siècle (The System isn't Broken; It's Fixed)
December 12th, 2012
1:21 pm
the reporter who was attacked by the pro-union protesters yesterday.
That wasn’t an attack, that was a beat down.
Mick
December 12th, 2012
1:22 pm
reb
I bet they clean house in michigan in the next election. A lot of snakes got in with the midterm elections. I don’t think you’ll be catching the dems lying down this time around.
First mistake out the door will be gov. rick “the disaster” scott in florida…
0311/8541/5811/1811/1801
December 12th, 2012
1:23 pm
Headline (AJC): ” ‘Drum major’ quote to be removed”
“A quotation on the King Memorial in D.C. will be removed after complaints that it was out of context.”
Good grief !
Hummmmmm …………………… maybe they will replace it with this one since Christmas is just around the corner !!!
“The acceptable year of the Lord is that year when every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess the name of Jesus. And everywhere men will cry out, “Hallelujah, hallelujah! The kingdom of this world has become the kingdom of our Lord and His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever. Hallelujah, hallelujah!”
http://sowhatfaith.com/2011/01/17/the-acceptable-year-of-the-lord-rev-dr-martin-luther-king-jr/
Biff & Chaz from the Yacht Club
December 12th, 2012
1:24 pm
build this stadium, you rabble. And deepen our hahhhbor, how can
we get our new boat in heah and maintain our lifestyle if you
don’t sacrifice, peasants. yall are gettin so uppity these days
0311/8541/5811/1811/1801
December 12th, 2012
1:25 pm
Regarding “union thugs”:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YlOxiwGLAkY
getalife
December 12th, 2012
1:25 pm
steve got slapped but back in the fifties they busted heads.
Stevie Ray
December 12th, 2012
1:25 pm
Brosephus™
December 12th, 2012
1:15 pm
I have solid fundamental understanding of tax code…I still don’t know if your answer is that the “rich” should pay…for example, the top 20% pay 80% give or take of total taxes…should this aggregate amount be increased? If the trend continues as the past 30 or so years, we will get to a point of diminishing returns. Of course, there are real adverse implications for fooling with the cap gains & dividend categories…if the trend of payors v nonpayors continues, we could have the top 20% footing over 90% of total tax burden. Of course, we can’t get out of this unless the “middle class”..say above 75K or so chip in…not a chance.
Brosephus™
December 12th, 2012
1:26 pm
Doom
I’ve seen photos of ASU’s stadium, but I haven’t been inside yet. They even put suites in that one. A few of my brothers and I were trying to get our hands on one since they will accomodate 20 with catered food and permitted parking. At $19,500 a pop, they went quick.
As for Blanks, that’s the reason for wanting a new stadium. If I remember correctly, he’s even stated that a while back in an interview. If he wants that, I see no reason for him to build it himself. After forking over more than a Benjamin for each ticket for my family to see a game with decent seats, those were the last Falcon tickets I’m buying for a long time.
—————————
Keep
I haven’t seen that story yet, but the stories that I could tell from what I’ve personally seen…. Suffice to say that nothing much surprises me anymore.
godless heathen - fiscal cliff dweller
December 12th, 2012
1:26 pm
funded by the phone companys.
Using money collected from customers who pay for their phones.
0311/8541/5811/1811/1801
December 12th, 2012
1:26 pm
“Obama’s America Will Become Detroit”
http://cnsnews.com/blog/terence-p-jeffrey/obamas-america-will-become-detroit
RB from Gwinnett
December 12th, 2012
1:26 pm
“Steven Crowder is a “reporter” the same way that Ron Jeremy is an “actor.”
Dodge the subject, Kammie, dodge!!!
It’s what you do best!!
0311/8541/5811/1811/1801
December 12th, 2012
1:27 pm
getalife:
You know who tried to bust Zimmerman’s head.
Joe Hussein Mama
December 12th, 2012
1:28 pm
0311 — “The acceptable year of the Lord is that year when every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess the name of Jesus.”
Fortunately, that will never happen.
0311/8541/5811/1811/1801
December 12th, 2012
1:28 pm
RB:
Careful or he will call you “sport”.
Thulsa Doom
December 12th, 2012
1:28 pm
since when is government supposed to show a flipping PROFIT??? (here’s a hint: it’s not)
I don’t think he said govt is supposed to turn a profit. Looks like he’s just making the point that its a money pit.
But in regards to the post office aren’t they supposed to make a profit? Or at least pay for themselves?
Stevie Ray
December 12th, 2012
1:28 pm
The elimination of the requirements that non-union folks can get bullied around by unions is a great development. If union members blew all the smoke and emotion out of the puzzle, they’d see that the unions have hurt them over time more than help them….hope the trend continues..
USinUK - not very ladylike (and former Girl Scout)
December 12th, 2012
1:29 pm
“That’s one highly principled lame-duck legislative body, eh?”
shameful.
Thulsa Doom
December 12th, 2012
1:29 pm
Scout,
Just the threat of the dreaded “sport” card is scary indeed.
Mick
December 12th, 2012
1:30 pm
0311
What did america look like in 2008 after bush got through with it???
getalife
December 12th, 2012
1:30 pm
cons are scabs.
stands for decibels
December 12th, 2012
1:30 pm
Using money collected from customers who pay for their phones.
Godless, don’t get me started on the various and sundry ways we Americans are frcrewn regarding wireless and internet access/charges; subsidizing a few of Teh Poorz is the least of it.
That Black Guy
December 12th, 2012
1:31 pm
stands for decibels
I’m going to be fairly bold and say that this shouldn’t be subsidized because in ~10 years, the NFL is not going to be the going concern it is now. Sufficient information about those “concussions, the crippling injuries, the long-term brain damage and shortened lifespans of football” will likely relegate it to what pro boxing is today. – -Pro boxing suffers because of a lack of marketable boxers, not because of the level of violence. The Klitschko brothers have held the HW titles in a deathgrip for years. Mayweather holds his weight classes the same way. Pacquiao just got beat by someone’s grand dad. There are no marquee names out there right now. Also, Pro boxing has been overshadowed by MMA (UFC in patricular), and it is MUCH more violent.
Also, didn’t a soccer player recently have one of his knuts SHATTERED? Most sports have a level of violence.
On Topic;
I love football. Went to Tampa last weekend for the Bucs/Eagles game and will be going this weekend to the Giants/Falcons game (go Giants).
The Falcons do not need a new stadium. I went to the very first game at the dome and loved it. There are no “bad” seats in the place. Easy to get to on MARTA.
If Art wants a new crib, he should pay for it.
getalife
December 12th, 2012
1:31 pm
lieberman is finally leaving.
mccain and graham are next.
Brosephus™
December 12th, 2012
1:32 pm
Stevie: I still don’t know if your answer is that the “rich” should pay…for example, the top 20% pay 80% give or take of total taxes…should this aggregate amount be increased?
My answer is this. As long as the lower class people get screwed over on taxes, or fees as they are here in GA, and lose more of their income in that manner, the people who don’t get hit by those should share a larger portion of the federal incomes to equal out the entire tax spectrum. Therefore, if the bottom 25% pays 30% of their total income in all taxes, then the top 1% should have a total tax liability of 30%, regardless to what individual taxes they pay that need to be jacked up to get to that total 30% mark.
If someone who’s earning $25,000 is paying out 20% of that in taxes for the year, why should someone earning $25B in that same year not be paying 20% of their income in taxes?
stands for decibels
December 12th, 2012
1:32 pm
Dodge the subject, Kammie
What’s to dodge? The douchebag went looking for a fight and he got one. He’s a notch at best above those “God Hates F@gs” inbreeds.
Andy
December 12th, 2012
1:32 pm
Speaking of Ron Jeremy, is he still a fixture in the Virginia Highlands bar scene like he was in the early 00’s?
Kamchak ~ Thug from the Steppes
December 12th, 2012
1:33 pm
Also, didn’t a soccer player recently have one of his knuts SHATTERED?
Could be, but the last story I heard about that injury happened to a rugby player.
Brosephus™
December 12th, 2012
1:35 pm
Kamchak @ 1:20
I had no idea of who the dude was, but you nailed it.
http://stevencrowder.net/
As “FoxNews’ brightest, funniest young Conservative mind,” Steven Crowder is a mainstay in the worlds of television, comedy and writing.
Before being brought in as one of FoxNews’ youngest contributors on record, Steven began his career in entertainment starting with voicework in children’s cartoons (most notably voicing the character of “The Brain” on the hit series “Arthur”) along with acting in both television and film.
RB from Gwinnett
December 12th, 2012
1:35 pm
“Careful or he will call you “sport”.”
Maybe, but I’ll just continue to skip over his juvenile laughing/pointing pointless posts until he fully explains the “Big difference between “taking somebody down” and ‘taking someone down a notch or two.””
I’m guessing Joe got beat up alot on the playground…
Keep Up the Good Fight!
December 12th, 2012
1:36 pm
Hmmm.. RB dodges the questions about his proof that Obamacare was going to create a $25 pizza from Papa Johns. Seems he is getting a lot of whine from that pizza. And of course the fellow clown car riders join in with garbage.
stands for decibels
December 12th, 2012
1:36 pm
Also, didn’t a soccer player recently have one of his knuts SHATTERED? Most sports have a level of violence.
TBG, there are concussions in soccer too, yes. I have heard some dark rumblings of an epidemiological onslaught of them coming out of unusual places (including girls’ middle- and high-school level play) but no hard facts as yet.
And yes, the extreme fighting business is booming, but it’s hardly in the same league as the NFL/MLB aristocracy, and it’s hard to imagine it ever being there.
Mick
December 12th, 2012
1:36 pm
getalife
Don’t forget the biggest loser of them all – mitch “the filibusterer” Mcconnell. Ditch mitch in 14…
stands for decibels
December 12th, 2012
1:37 pm
“FoxNews’ brightest, funniest young Conservative mind
tallest gnome, baddassiest Gandhi impersonator…
Erwin's cat
December 12th, 2012
1:38 pm
As for Blanks, that’s the reason for wanting a new stadium. If I remember correctly, he’s even stated that a while back in an interview..
It’s actually more than that. the dome is leased to the falcons just for the games…everything else goes to the GWCC. The new arrangement would give all the events to the Falcons to lease out..ie more money to the Falcons…My opinions on this are motivated as a Falcons fan and not politics…Blanks income on from the team is one of the lowest in the league, so he needs the cash to compete…the cap is still the cap, but signing bonuses etc…I still see it a bonus for the city though
getalife
December 12th, 2012
1:38 pm
“Boehner Proposes Extending Bush Tax Cuts Permanently”
That ends the talk of cuts.
The gop were never serious about cuts so why should our President.
Checkmate.