So true. I've given up on government in Hillsborough County, FL, with our 1.3 million residents, but when I did go to zoning hearings, the developers were allowed to speak first -- and did so until well after 10:00 PM, when the working people on our side had to go home. And these hearings were before so-called impartial zoning masters, whose recommendations county commissioners took in good faith. As a result, our infrastructure is overwhelmed.
Caveat- I have no problem with sports, arenas etc I only find it beyond bothersome that there seems to be $, subsidies, contracts etc for these stadiums/other yet nothing for say school lunches, healthcare, cost of living increases, higher minimum wage, ss, disability protections, climate protections, protections of neighborhoods surrounding ie inflation of rents, taxes, products & services, infrastructure gentrification forcing a neighborhood can’t afford it anymore flight, etc etc etc. Love sports whatever ones float your boat I only feel there needs to be a better plan and a more long range equitable equilibrium between subsidies, costs analysis of and an actual win/win for all.
This seems like an infuriating experience. It reminds me of the way that Congressional hearings happen— they invite specific experts, often pit them against each other, and use the hearing as a way of creating media publicity. Instead of learning from the experts, they try to farm clips and fallacies that will promote their POVs!
In a representative democracy, the people speak on Election Day. The idea that everyone should be offered a reasonable time to speak to elected officials on each and every issue is absurd on its face. There is not enough time in history for that. Use your vote. Live peaceably with the results. Persuade your neighbors first.
So true. I've given up on government in Hillsborough County, FL, with our 1.3 million residents, but when I did go to zoning hearings, the developers were allowed to speak first -- and did so until well after 10:00 PM, when the working people on our side had to go home. And these hearings were before so-called impartial zoning masters, whose recommendations county commissioners took in good faith. As a result, our infrastructure is overwhelmed.
Good testimony 👍 and blog on sham of public commenting process. Same thing occurs when federal bank agencies hold hearings in proposed bank mergers
Caveat- I have no problem with sports, arenas etc I only find it beyond bothersome that there seems to be $, subsidies, contracts etc for these stadiums/other yet nothing for say school lunches, healthcare, cost of living increases, higher minimum wage, ss, disability protections, climate protections, protections of neighborhoods surrounding ie inflation of rents, taxes, products & services, infrastructure gentrification forcing a neighborhood can’t afford it anymore flight, etc etc etc. Love sports whatever ones float your boat I only feel there needs to be a better plan and a more long range equitable equilibrium between subsidies, costs analysis of and an actual win/win for all.
Good comments. And good job mentioning the book!
This seems like an infuriating experience. It reminds me of the way that Congressional hearings happen— they invite specific experts, often pit them against each other, and use the hearing as a way of creating media publicity. Instead of learning from the experts, they try to farm clips and fallacies that will promote their POVs!
Nowadays, it seems like the only way to be heard is to make a sign, rally, and shut down traffic, repeatedly.
In a representative democracy, the people speak on Election Day. The idea that everyone should be offered a reasonable time to speak to elected officials on each and every issue is absurd on its face. There is not enough time in history for that. Use your vote. Live peaceably with the results. Persuade your neighbors first.
Nah. Most of our electeds do not represent us.