Here is a sampling of reader comments from two Atlanta Forward blogs — the public funding of the Atlanta Falcons stadium and Mayor Kasim Reed’s initiative to expand Atlanta’s global business identity.
J: A few argued for these sorts of [global business] perspectives and initiatives more than a decade ago. Good to see the blindfolds finally beginning to come off so-called opinion leaders.
Shamehia: Say what you will about Mayor Reed, he deserves a lot of credit for working to raise Atlanta's international business profile.
GregT: Why don't they use that $200 million to help pay off the sewer debt? Atlanta residents already pay some of the highest water rates in the nation. Now they want us to fund another stadium? More politicians with absolutely no background in economics or business. Stop the bleeding, please.
SAWB: First off, I am not a supporter of the new stadium and have no doubt the tradition of cronyism and the financial enticement of politicians will continue. However, does anyone really believe that if there were a vote on this deal that it wouldn't pass? At the end of the day, the average person is too caught up with Kim & Kanye and March Madness to focus on the economics of a project like this. All they see is another Super Bowl or maybe the Olympic Games and the momentary distraction those events might bring.
Rockerbabe: I am always amazed at the things wealthy men do. They scream that we cannot afford enough teachers to teach the kids in smaller classes. We can't afford to pay for more police officers and firemen to ensure public safety. Our streets are full of potholes because we do not have enough money for repairs and proper maintenance. We seem to not be able to afford sidewalks for our citizens so they can get around safely. Then, there is the sewer system and water shed management issues in great need of proper funding which we don't seem to be able to do. But: When some rich guys wants a sky box for a football game, well, by all means, let us fund a billion-dollar stadium we don't need and cannot afford! My heaven: The mere thought of the ultra wealthy having to sit with the rest of the rift-raft is, well, too much! We need another stadium! So the NFL doesn't want to bring a Super Bowl here. So what? It is nothing more than a waste of time, talent, treasure and the last time, it bought a lot of crime and other mayhem we just didn't need. It is a waste of precious tax dollars that could more easily go to providing for the general welfare and common good. The emphasis is on common good.
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