The State of Affairs in Russia

[Sheilbh]

The whole idea that states should spend tax money on sport events is ridiculous to begin with. It is only natural that it is the hotbed of corruption

Nonsense. London, Barcelona, Sydney were all worth it and I don't think any were terribly corrupt. Most big stadiums need at least some national or local/government involvement. Also if there's big sport events then tax money will need to be spent ensuring there's the infrastructure in place etc.

And it's not like those tickets, companies/clubs or athletes are tax free.

[Tamas]

The whole idea that states should spend tax money on sport events is ridiculous to begin with. It is only natural that it is the hotbed of corruption

Nonsense. London, Barcelona, Sydney were all worth it and I don't think any were terribly corrupt. Most big stadiums need at least some national or local/government involvement. Also if there's big sport events then tax money will need to be spent ensuring there's the infrastructure in place etc.

And it's not like those tickets, companies/clubs or athletes are tax free.

I oppose it on an ethical ground.

[Liep]

The whole idea that states should spend tax money on sport events is ridiculous to begin with. It is only natural that it is the hotbed of corruption

Nonsense. London, Barcelona, Sydney were all worth it and I don't think any were terribly corrupt. Most big stadiums need at least some national or local/government involvement. Also if there's big sport events then tax money will need to be spent ensuring there's the infrastructure in place etc.

And it's not like those tickets, companies/clubs or athletes are tax free.

I oppose it on an ethical ground.

You oppose states trying to make money from investments?

[Sheilbh]

I oppose it on an ethical ground.

Oppose what? Just the Olympics/World Cup or local government helping with stadium construction or using sports events to regenerate an area or national government paying to expand Tube stations to deal with 60 000 people every other weekend?

I think it's like anything weigh up the benefits and costs.

[Tamas]

I oppose it on an ethical ground.

Oppose what? Just the Olympics/World Cup or local government helping with stadium construction or using sports events to regenerate an area or national government paying to expand Tube stations to deal with 60 000 people every other weekend?

I think it's like anything weigh up the benefits and costs.

I mostly oppose the idea of the state getting involved in enterprises such as sporting or other cultural events. Profit or not. If there is no profit, it shouldn't do it. If there is profit, private investors should do it. Not enough profit for that? See point one.

[celedhring]

The Barcelona Olympics were the best thing to happen to the city since Franco kicked the bucket. I'm very glad my government ponied up for them, they completely transformed this town.

[Tamas]

The Barcelona Olympics were the best thing to happen to the city since Franco kicked the bucket. I'm very glad my government ponied up for them, they completely transformed this town.

There is money moving from one place to an other, of course there are those who benefit. But at the core, it is still just tax money (money coerced out of citizens) spent on a sporting event

[Razgovory]

I oppose it on an ethical ground.

Oppose what? Just the Olympics/World Cup or local government helping with stadium construction or using sports events to regenerate an area or national government paying to expand Tube stations to deal with 60 000 people every other weekend?

I think it's like anything weigh up the benefits and costs.

I mostly oppose the idea of the state getting involved in enterprises such as sporting or other cultural events. Profit or not. If there is no profit, it shouldn't do it. If there is profit, private investors should do it. Not enough profit for that? See point one.

Poor naive Tamas.

[Berkut]

Everything is going to be fine - this is Russia after all, the nation where freedom fighters interested in protecting our liberty from totalitarian regimes like the NSA go to find refuge.

What could go wrong?

[Tamas]

I oppose it on an ethical ground.

Oppose what? Just the Olympics/World Cup or local government helping with stadium construction or using sports events to regenerate an area or national government paying to expand Tube stations to deal with 60 000 people every other weekend?

I think it's like anything weigh up the benefits and costs.

I mostly oppose the idea of the state getting involved in enterprises such as sporting or other cultural events. Profit or not. If there is no profit, it shouldn't do it. If there is profit, private investors should do it. Not enough profit for that? See point one.

Poor naive Tamas.

Poor naïve Raz.

[Sheilbh]

There is money moving from one place to an other, of course there are those who benefit. But at the core, it is still just tax money (money coerced out of citizens) spent on a sporting event

Yep. But it helped in a process that turned Barcelona into a very rich city (thus now a cash cow for tax money) and one of Europe's cultural capitals.

And obviously I'd disagree on your view of tax money

[Razgovory]

Poor naïve Raz.

Can you think of anyplace where private investors do make the all the investment in major sports infrastructure?

[celedhring]

The Barcelona Olympics were the best thing to happen to the city since Franco kicked the bucket. I'm very glad my government ponied up for them, they completely transformed this town.

There is money moving from one place to an other, of course there are those who benefit. But at the core, it is still just tax money (money coerced out of citizens) spent on a sporting event

Paid back many times by increased international exposure for the city (tourism has skyrocketed since the 90s) and all the tax money it brings, and the use we get off the infrastructure and urban redevelopments (like the cleaning up of the shoreline that opened up the area to private investment in housing and office space). I think the Barcelona Olympics are a good case study of government spending that serves as a catalyst for growth in an urban area. It's not always necessarily the case, but I think you can't have such a black-and-white view, as with everything you balance the benefits vs the expenses.

[Valmy]

Everything is going to be fine - this is Russia after all, the nation where freedom fighters interested in protecting our liberty from totalitarian regimes like the NSA go to find refuge.

What could go wrong?

Wow that is weak.

[Valmy]

Poor naïve Raz.

Can you think of anyplace where private investors do make the all the investment in major sports infrastructure?

The Dallas Cowboys.  Ok they probably got massive tax incentives...