Chief
02-22-2008, 07:25 AM
http://www.columbian.com/opinion/news/2008/02/02222008_Herrington-Free-rides-costly-to-society.cfm
Like a 2x4 blow to the head or a five-asterisk Vietnamese dinner when you ordered the mild version, David Cay Johnston’s book, “Free Lunch,” gets your attention. Then it makes you mad.
In this 293-page exposé, the Pulitzer Prize-winning New York Times reporter describes numerous incentives offered up by governments on the altar of economic development but which, he argues, do more to enrich the already-wealthy than boost the economy.
Johnston’s message should be heard and publicly and thoroughly weighed at all levels, from port districts and city councils to legislatures and Congress as they consider tax breaks, land sales and other incentives. Subsidies designed to attract or keep a factory, store or pro sports team might help the broad community. But they also can be a drain that mean roads aren’t patched, restaurants and railroad tracks not inspected, police not hired, campgrounds not maintained.
**SCHNIPP**
Go read all of Gregg Herrington's column today and apply what he says to everything we talk about here locally; he's painting with a wider brush, but there is a lot to consider here about the way we do business in Vancouver, Clark County, and Washington as well...
8)
Like a 2x4 blow to the head or a five-asterisk Vietnamese dinner when you ordered the mild version, David Cay Johnston’s book, “Free Lunch,” gets your attention. Then it makes you mad.
In this 293-page exposé, the Pulitzer Prize-winning New York Times reporter describes numerous incentives offered up by governments on the altar of economic development but which, he argues, do more to enrich the already-wealthy than boost the economy.
Johnston’s message should be heard and publicly and thoroughly weighed at all levels, from port districts and city councils to legislatures and Congress as they consider tax breaks, land sales and other incentives. Subsidies designed to attract or keep a factory, store or pro sports team might help the broad community. But they also can be a drain that mean roads aren’t patched, restaurants and railroad tracks not inspected, police not hired, campgrounds not maintained.
**SCHNIPP**
Go read all of Gregg Herrington's column today and apply what he says to everything we talk about here locally; he's painting with a wider brush, but there is a lot to consider here about the way we do business in Vancouver, Clark County, and Washington as well...
8)