Tuesday, January 27, 2009
The Army Salutes Lakewood with the Middle Finger
Yours truly got a bit apoplectic when we learned at a study session last night that the Army still plans to build a mall at Fort Lewis. The News Tribune posted an update this morning. The News Tribune's Dan Voelpel did a great column on this subject awhile back though the article no longer seems to be online so I can't link to it. Dan's column was how most of us heard about the matter for the first time, which makes sense, as the Army is unlikely to advertise its plans to undercut surrounding communities.
I suppose others can be more tactful in expressing their concern, but I sure don't like the idea of tax dollars being used to undercut business in Lakewood. I have never been a big fan of ingratitude. We use the tax dollars from Lakewood businesses to provide services to a lot of folks, including the members of the military so welcome in our community. But that's just one issue. You get into the question of whether government in America should be acting as government, or as a rival to the private sector. The whole idea stinks.
Here's something really funny. One of the efforts that Lakewood has supported is the acquistion of land around the so-called 'clear zone' to help make it possible to keep the military base here. And we are repaid by efforts to undercut the local economy. When did Fort Lewis's mission grow to demonstrate gross ingratitude?
The Army should protect, which it does so well, and leave commercial real estate to the private sector.
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I suppose others can be more tactful in expressing their concern, but I sure don't like the idea of tax dollars being used to undercut business in Lakewood. I have never been a big fan of ingratitude. We use the tax dollars from Lakewood businesses to provide services to a lot of folks, including the members of the military so welcome in our community. But that's just one issue. You get into the question of whether government in America should be acting as government, or as a rival to the private sector. The whole idea stinks.
Here's something really funny. One of the efforts that Lakewood has supported is the acquistion of land around the so-called 'clear zone' to help make it possible to keep the military base here. And we are repaid by efforts to undercut the local economy. When did Fort Lewis's mission grow to demonstrate gross ingratitude?
The Army should protect, which it does so well, and leave commercial real estate to the private sector.
