Originally Posted By vbdad55 <I do think that saying, a priori, that a Frisbee golf course is a bad idea, because it's a Frisbee golf course, is as nonsensical as saying that a bridge is a good idea because it's a bridge.< agree-- back to my point on someone actually has to build a biz case for why it's the right thing- only then can one decide
Originally Posted By mawnck >>I do know that the way the bill is being attacked in some quarters--by picking out individual projects and ridiculing them--doesn't go to the fundamental question of whether it's a good bill or not.<< I think it does. We were promised by President O "No pork." His exact words. I've decided I don't buy the argument "for all you know it might be a good thing." Sounds a bit Iraq War-ish to me. Especially when we're hearing that disaster is imminent if it doesn't pass pronto. >>I do think that saying, a priori, that a Frisbee golf course is a bad idea, because it's a Frisbee golf course, is as nonsensical as saying that a bridge is a good idea because it's a bridge.<< Bridge? Usually necessary (Alaska notwithstanding). Frisbee golf course? Frisbee ANYTHING? Good heavens no. And who else is going to go to a park that has Frisbees flying everywhere?
Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan How about parks in general? Should the government get out of the parks business?
Originally Posted By DAR I think a bunch of weedheads in Austin could find an open field to play frisbee golf in.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 How about parks in general? Should the government get out of the parks business? I don't think so- but each should be a local municipal issue -
Originally Posted By mawnck >>I don't think so- but each should be a local municipal issue - << +1 If they want to raise their taxes to pay for it, then they can knock themselves out. As a wise train station teller once said in a Rankin-Bass Christmas special, "No money? No ticket!"
Originally Posted By markymouse A while back - okay way back when Ross Perot raised issues with government spending - I realized I don't believe in fiscal conservatism, as I'd always thought. I believe in fiscal responsibility. There's a difference. Namely, sometimes the responsible thing to do is to spend money. When interest rates are low, it makes sense to sell bonds and use the money to build. I get that. But I have a much harder time with the whole idea of economic stimulus. I get the basic idea. Spend money to create jobs. But its spending money you don't have, and that's weird. I do want to mention one fact about the things like the frisbee gold course. These are what cities are asking for. That doesn't mean Congress will authorize that money. I can ask Congress for a roller coaster in my backyard. But it isn't wasteful spending until they send the check. And its too easy to poke fun and make things look bad. So and so wants some Harleys. What? It turns out that the city is requesting police motorcycles from an American manufacturer. Hardly an unreasonable idea.
Originally Posted By avromark <<I'm tired of that crap from all of them - >> Well you could just vote conservative, they are progressive afterall ;-P Golf Course - Our Liberal PM back in the day built one of these in the middle of nowhere. His friend happened to be the developer. Ours cost more than yours. Rest assured Politics everywhere is the same. Like vb said though, let's have Business Plans/Projections. I can spend $100,000, alex can spend $100,000, Dave can spend $100,000 one of us will get more for our money. It's inevitable. Same thing with these projects lets see a cost/benefit analysis. Let's see which of these projects benefit the most people. Lets also distribute the projects. Not just see them go by the Governors Granddaughters home Lets see the smaller states get a small slice of pie. In Canada we have a problem -> Some provinces which don't contribute much gets all the transfer payments and projects. Do they really need Comedy Museums and transfering of government offices out of the province in which the seat is? Wouldn't it make more sense to keep support services there? Sorry to bring up politics elsewhere, but the point I'm not really making but trying to make is : - Pork sucks! Except when grilled and in your tummy. When you purchase a stereo don't you compare specs/ listen see what it offers? Or do you blindly say Yes I'll take the Sony Screammaster 5000XL? If the people making the decisions didn't all inhabit the same bubble(s) and actually made decisions on what was best. Well hell would freeze over and certain sport teams would actually win the championship.
Originally Posted By vbdad55 <Like vb said though, let's have Business Plans/Projections. I can spend $100,000, alex can spend $100,000, Dave can spend $100,000 one of us will get more for our money. It's inevitable. < I don't understand why it seems to much to ask -- instead they hand us -- give me the $1m - 'trust me' it will do good. my answer anymore is NO, I do not trust you.. show me
Originally Posted By avromark Well those who are presenting those projects would have to understand rudimentary skills such as basic accounting, common business sense, market projections etc in order to write a valid business plan. They'd also have to have their idea fully "thought out" before they start. Oh and they'd actually have to have a realistic budget with cost over-runs at least partially built in.
