Shortfalls & Blame

I was reminded while reading an opinion piece in the IndyStar that the freedom of speech comes with a huge responsibility, namely you must bear a lot of B.S. spewed by folks everywhere. Here’s a prime example:

http://www.indystar.com/article/20090329/OPINION08/903290320/1291/OPINION08

So, in reply, here’s my take:

The shortfalls in funding are due to the sports teams not paying up for their venue, while also apparently not providing enough perceived value that people want to attend the games. Attendance being down in not the fault of the building or the taxpayers. It’s the teams, the team owners, and the players, who bear the duty to get fans in those seats.

I also disagree with the piece on taxation:

What better way to capture revenue from spectators than an (increased) innkeeper’s tax? The same goes with food & beverage taxes. Maybe even a ticket ‘tax’ or fee is in order; however, the rest of the State does not need to generally bail out Indy. The State, as a whole, should not have to bear the burden. Indianapolis is the steward of these facilities for its own people, and it just needs to become a better one.

It’s as simple as that.