Posted on 09/24/2002 5:40:10 AM PDT by GailA
Edited on 05/07/2004 9:20:07 PM PDT by Jim Robinson. [history]
Republican gubernatorial candidate Van Hilleary has claimed the National Rifle Association's general election endorsement, and he took the opportunity to suggest that a vote for Phil Bredesen is also a vote for a former Democratic vice president.
The NRA cited Hilleary's ''rock-solid'' support for its causes while he has served as Tennessee's 4th District congressman.
(Excerpt) Read more at tennessean.com ...
On the Net:
Phil Bredesen: www.bredesen.com
Van Hilleary: www.vanhilleary.com
Oily Phil is trying to sell himself as a CONSERVATIVE to get elected. According to him he is anti-income tax...for his FIRST term, but does not rule out OTHER taxes. He says he's pro-second Amendment.
Some how I just don't buy his being pro-second Amendment. Nor do I buy him being anti-income tax at any time.
Socialist don't change their spots!
I hate to be saying this, but: We told you so.
Of course, we no longer have the moral high-ground that we did just after the Oilers left, because since then we've caved and paid for not ONE, but THREE sports venues that taxpayers will have to shoulder the burdens regarding for some years to come.
I object to one cent of tax money going to any stadium, arena, or racetrack. I am looking for the hero politician that stands up to a sports team and says NO. Well at least you got rid of Bud and the Texans will probably be a big hit.
I don't so much object to the taxpayers' funding such a thing as I do that they then turn around and give the proceeds from such an investment to the sports team owner.
I don't know how it worked out with Bud in Nashville, but here in Houston the taxpayers paid for part of the construction cost, the infrastructure and (most importantly) the maintenance costs. Now, supposedly this is supposed to be covered by "ticket taxes," and additional fees on airline tickets, rental cars, etc. But the fact is that most of the people paying all those fees are also local taxpayers.
Construction cost overruns--paid for by the taxpayers.
Maintenance costs over and above that budgeted--paid for by the taxpayers.
Now, in return, the owner gets the lion's share of concessions, the income from "premium" seating, club seating, boxes, etc., the naming rights income, at least a portion of parking, the PSL income, and of course the ticket income.
In return he pays a very modest lease fee.
It's just upside down, that's all there is to it.
I think the economy may put an end to club seats and skyboxes. Give me the good old days when the CEO and the Janitor might be sitting next to each other and enjoying a good game.
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