Vikings need suitable stadium solution

Josh H.
11/21/2009 11:50 PM

I have heard it a few times in the past several months, and I wanted to address it. Some people are saying that the idea of financing a new stadium for the Minnesota Vikings would be “nothing short of Corporate Welfare”. Corporate Welfare? Look, those of you who are caught up on the idea of “giving money to a billionaire” need to stop. Step back for a second and look at the facts. It will be a publicly owned stadium, so the taxpayers wouldn't be giving Wilf a DIME. Granted, the new stadium would benefit the Vikings, but it would also benefit the public. The stadium is used 300+ days a year, and only 8-10 of those days are by the Vikings. In addition to Viking games, there are also youth athletic events, concerts, trade shows, conventions, military training, and other public events that will be held there. You might say that these events don’t need a new venue, but it would be hard to argue that they won’t benefit from one. The simple fact is that all these events would benefit from having a venue with better restroom facilities, concourses, seating, etc… Now, some of you are probably saying that the majority of the public won't attend these other events, so why should you care? My response to that is think of the community, not just yourself. There are plenty of public services that we don’t use on a daily basis, or maybe even at all, that benefit the overall good of the community. I’ll use myself as an example. I don't use the rail system, go to the theatre, or currently have kids. Yet I paid for the rail system, the Guthrie, and I pay to have your kids go to school. These are just SOME of the examples. I'm ok with all that, because it BENEFITS OUR COMMUNITY. The Vikings have been an institution in this state for nearly 50 YEARS. There is a lot of family and community tradition built around them. Maybe you don't care about that, but many in the state, your community, your neighborhood, or even maybe your family DO CARE. They are good for our COMMUNITY, and you can't put a price tag on that. Look, I know you don't like the idea of building a new stadium for a guy who has a ton of money. I get that. However, the Vikings are going to get a new stadium no matter what. It just might not be in Minnesota. You aren't punishing Wilf, you are punishing others in your community. Instead of looking at it as corporate welfare, think of it as an investment in the community. If you don't agree that it is a sound financial investment, think of it as a cultural investment. Even if you don't like the Vikings, think they don't "win enough", or don't like sports all together, that doesn't mean that other people in your community that you know and care about don’t. In the end, it is hard to dispute that building a new stadium and keeping the Minnesota Vikings in Minnesota would be good for this community. To me, that is priceless.

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Sam K.
11/20/2009 5:24 PM

Last I looked the gophers new stadium is funded by the state. It has plenlty of room to make larger. Something needs to be worked out.

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Jay D.
11/20/2009 5:15 PM

How does one complain about simply being called "dude" when all that one ever does is return comments in a bullying, condescending manner in the first place? Adding a "y" to the end of everyone's name is basic schoolyard taunting. The best response to anyone that wants to consistently act in this manner is to just ignore them. Being rude and condescending to people thousands of miles away is all some people have.

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Andy G.
11/20/2009 4:12 PM

There are many creative ways to get a stadium deal done and it doesn't have to mean a direct tax. Tell your reps you want to keep the Vikings in MN! http://SavetheVikes.org

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steve p.
11/20/2009 3:18 PM

"they" in that last sentence, John S. Now you have nothing to correct. Plenty of ammo left, though, I imagine. Put me down, call me names, go on some sun-stroked tangent. Good citizenship. Put that bean to work and come up with a new "wet blanket" to discourage open discussion. And please, put it into one comment, not one every 4 minutes, like usual. Your comments are like spider bites running up the arm. OOPS, you'll probably take that as a complement.. And dude, I would waste the rest of your waking day checking back at this site to see if I've "one-upped" you. It's the least you can do for your party. Be diligent.

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steve p.
11/20/2009 3:07 PM

They win the Super Bowl, and Timmy-Pooh will champion a new stadium. Then, as an encore, he'll walk on water. How 'bout putting Normy-Pooh in charge of the task force? He's out of a job. Maybe he could work some magic, like he did with Xcel Center (then jump from St. Paul to the Senate). Two peas in a pod. Give the people what the want, then poop on them.

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Rick S.
11/20/2009 2:15 PM

the vikes need and deserve a stadium- along with the twins- (but probably more) they at least try to put a winner on the field- they are the favorite local team ban none. this website can give you all the numbers that back up why now is the time. http://www.minnesotamomentum.com/getthefacts.csp

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kevin m.
Willmar, MN     11/20/2009 1:33 PM

Maybe we should just ask harold if he said it? I'll bait him for you, and when he sticks his head out you can hit him and ask.... Here goes- "Obama is good for you"- that should get him out of hiding. :)

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kathy a.
11/20/2009 12:13 PM

John, he absolutely said that.

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Zachary C.
11/20/2009 12:12 PM

Well John, I can't find Harold's post but I found one in response to him. rebecca m. Kerkhoven, MN 11/16/2009 10:59 AM Harold-first you complain that the Legislature/President Obama/ whoever else is on your "list" for the day is spending this country into bankruptcy. Now you want them to spend boatloads of money on something a professional sports team would use only 8-10 times a year. Make up your mind Harold. Either you are a fiscal conservative, or you are one of the "good-ol-boys" who populate our government with such frequency. I'm starting to vote for "good-ol-boy". Second-why would you bring up politics in the first place?

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