Calgary Stampede: Federal Stimulus Recipient

[Ronald Pagan]

And who says it doesn't pay to have the PM riding in your home town?

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servl.../politics/home

The initiative offers up to $3-million per fiscal year in aid for events with attendance of more than 250,000, and less for smaller, “Tier II” events with a minimum of 50,000 visitors. Initial funding comes from the $3-billion in stimulus spending the Harper government rushed through Parliament last month to get money into Canada's faltering economy quickly.

[burn_this_city]

Comment from the article

r b from Calgary, Canada writes: Billions in subsidies for foreign auto makers employing only Ontarians? - well golly, that's OK.

Hundreds of millions in ongoing welfare for bum fishermen on both coasts (the "stamp" fishery)? - sure, no problem.

A few thousand dollars for the Calgary Stampede? - whoa there. That''s crazy talk.

[HotHotHeat]

No love for Klondike Days?

[Boblobla]

Originally Posted by HotHotHeat

No love for Klondike Days?

**** Edmonton imo.

[Yeah_Baby]

Originally Posted by HotHotHeat

No love for Klondike Days?

Not since they renamed it Capital Ex.

[Ford Prefect]

I'm going to make everybody mad because I'm a total free marketer. If the market doesn't support a company, industry or cultural event at a viable level then it should not be propped up by tax payers. Tax dollars should be used for national infrastructure, health care, social services, defence, etc., but not to prop up Bombardier, Air Canada, fishermen, farmers, automakers or even cultural events. The only exception I would make is for the arts, but the arts need to be defined a little more rigidly than they currently are.

There, have a whizzed in enough cereal bowls with that stance?

[nik-]

Reading the comments for that article make me hate this country.

[FlamesAddiction]

Well, Calgary does deserve it, so I don't personally believe that there is favouritism going on.

The Stampede is one of the nation's most highly recognized events, and it's in the country's interests to keep it strong.

[Phaneuf3]

Originally Posted by Ford Prefect

I'm going to make everybody mad because I'm a total free marketer. If the market doesn't support a company, industry or cultural event at a viable level then it should not be propped up by tax payers. Tax dollars should be used for national infrastructure, health care, social services, defence, etc., but not to prop up Bombardier, Air Canada, fishermen, farmers, automakers or even cultural events. The only exception I would make is for the arts, but the arts need to be defined a little more rigidly than they currently are.

There, have a whizzed in enough cereal bowls with that stance?

Out of curiosity: Why are 'the arts' an exception in your opinion?

[Yeah_Baby]

Originally Posted by nik-

Reading the comments for that article make me hate this country.

Applying for a job at Fox News?

[burn_this_city]

Originally Posted by nik-

Reading the comments for that article make me hate this country.

I love the really dumb fear mongering garbage..

Jim Flatulentface from Ottawa, Canada writes: Later today I will tell my 3 1/2 year old grandson and 1 1/2 year old grandaughter that when they get old enough to pay taxes, they will be paying for Herr Harper's desperate attempt to buy votes across Canada in 2009. They will understand that he masacred the savings of their Grandparents with his broken promises and history will not forgive him.

What savings..? this country has been in debt for years.. Thanks Gramps for the billions in debt your generation accrued.

[Boblobla]

Originally Posted by nik-

Reading the comments for that article make me hate this country.

I couldn't agree more. Though, I do believe that the majority of people that comment on these articles are out of work easterners that would rather bash Alberta than go out looking for a job.

[HotHotHeat]

I hope this means we can bring in a bigger roller coaster.

[Ford Prefect]

Originally Posted by Phaneuf3

Out of curiosity: Why are 'the arts' an exception in your opinion?

Because the arts will never be supported adequately by a free market economy, and I think the arts are an important part of a nation's fabric. Maybe not to the same degree as health, education and social services, but still vital. Cultural events, like the Stampede, are infinitely more capable of supporting themselves in a free market, so let them. Am I being arbitrary and employing double standards? Totally. But that's the way I'd call it if I were emperor.

The tough question is where is the dividing line between a cultural event and the arts. For example, where does a music festival fall? That's the grey area.

[Phaneuf3]

Originally Posted by Ford Prefect

Because the arts will never be supported adequately by a free market economy, and I think the arts are a vital part of a nation's fabric. Maybe not to the same degree as health, education and social services, but still vital. Cultural events, like the Stampede, are infinitely more capable of supporting themselves in a free market, so let them. Am I being arbitrary and employing double standards? Totally. But that's the way I'd call it if I were emperor.

The tough question is where is the dividing line between a cultural event and the arts. For example, where does a music festival fall? That's the grey area.

If arts/cultural events aren't profitable on their own then either they're not being run efficiently enough or its not important enough to their patrons and sponsors to adequately fund them.

Either way, why should they receive money from the government to prop them up? If they are in fact THAT important they'll receive more funding from private sources or streamline their business models and reduce their cost.

[Ford Prefect]

Originally Posted by Phaneuf3

If arts/cultural events aren't profitable on their own then either they're not being run efficiently enough or its not important enough to their patrons and sponsors to adequately fund them.

Either way, why should they receive money from the government to prop them up? If they are in fact THAT important they'll receive more funding from private sources or streamline their business models and reduce their cost.

I won't argue you with you because on a purely logical level I agree completely. Supporting the arts is a personal and more emotional thing for me, which is what the arts are really all about in the first place I guess. But in a logical debate on the matter I concur with your view completely and cannot counter it.

[KTrain]

Originally Posted by Ford Prefect

I won't argue you with you because on a purely logical level I agree completely. Supporting the arts is a personal and more emotional thing for me, which is what the arts are really all about in the first place I guess. But in a logical debate on the matter I concur with your view completely and cannot counter it.

Excuse me, you do realize this is the internet right?

When someone disagrees with your comments you're supposed to fly off the handle making irrational claims and spouting personal insults. If you wish to continue using the internet I suggest ditching your level-headed way of thinking. It will only cause you future grief.

[Phaneuf3]

Originally Posted by KTrain

Excuse me, you do realize this is the internet right?

When someone disagrees with your comments you're supposed to fly off the handle making irrational claims and spouting personal insults. If you wish to continue using the internet I suggest ditching your level-headed way of thinking. It will only cause you future grief.

YOUR MOTHER WAS A HAMSTER AND YOUR FATHER SMELT OF ELDERBERRIES!


Retract your statements or I will be forced to insult you again.

[Yeah_Baby]

I think the Stampede should take on more of a Christan tone. We're all Christians right?

[nik-]

Originally Posted by Yeah_Baby

I think the Stampede should take on more of a Christan tone. We're all Christians right?

Can you just get to the part where you claim we're all pretty much the same as Texas based Republicans?