The problem is, when we must pay businesses to come or stay downtown, we are engaged in treating a symptom, rather than addressing the root problem. What is it that employers want but cannot get in our city? What can local government do to ensure that downtown?and the city overall?is a place businesses want to be? What civic improvements might make financial incentives unnecessary?
Continue reading “Investing in Cities”
Category Archives: Local Government
Conservative Flavors
Personally, I’m not a fan of labels like conservative and liberal. In this era of talk radio, ‘fair and balanced’ television and other venues for political invective, the terms have become accusations rather than descriptions?a substitute for analysis used by voters too lazy to figure out whether they agree with a candidate’s positions. It’s easier just to vote for the guy wearing the appropriate label.
Continue reading “Conservative Flavors”
The Child Protection Dilemma
There is an old story about two businessmen who take a quarrel to the village Rabbi. He listens to the first man’s side, and says "You are right." The second man then gives his version of the argument, and again the Rabbi says "You are right." At that point, an onlooker protests "They can’t both be right!" to which the Rabbi responds "Ah yes. You also are right."
Continue reading “The Child Protection Dilemma”
When Government Plays Ball
The question is not whether we would like to keep the Colts. Most of us would. I?m an example: I don?t care for sports. I would rather visit my dentist than go to a Colts game (and I really don?t like visiting the dentist!). I?m well aware that the measurable economic impact of major league football is somewhere between miniscule and nonexistent. But I would still like to keep the Colts in Indianapolis. I think there is probably a public relations benefit to being a ?major league? city, and I like the civic pride that is generated when the team is winning. All things being equal, I?d build the Colts a stadium. But all things aren?t equal.
Continue reading “When Government Plays Ball”
A Really Bad Idea
As government teachers routinely remind students, the United States is a representative democracy. The Founders were worried about excessive ?majoritarianism??which they equated to government by mob rule. Representative government was their solution: we elect people to make decisions, because most of those decisions require deliberation, study and expertise. Citizens retain control by reserving the right to vote those same people out of office if we decide they aren?t making good decisions.
Continue reading “A Really Bad Idea”