Muda69

Locally elected school boards with the power to issue municipal bonds still equals government. Just not the state or federal government. Your idea is a start however, unless the Indiana legislature actually replaces property taxes with a "service" tax: https://www.indystar.com/story/news/politics/2026/06/24/indiana-property-tax-repeal-schools/90659312007/

https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/college/2026/06/24/uindy-conference-realignment-why-leaving-glvc-after-48-years-for-g-mac/90677548007/ Good luck to the Greyhounds in this new direction.

https://indianacapitalchronicle.com/2026/06/24/indiana-republican-platform-now-backs-property-tax-elimination-closed-primaries/ This shifting of property taxes to a "service tax" is probably a non-starter. But if it does become law I can see an increase in Hoosiers deciding to now "go outside the system" in regards to certain services, having them instead be done by friends or family members. And anybody who supports closed primaries doesn't support freedom. Like the uni-party.

https://www.indystar.com/story/opinion/columnists/james-briggs/2026/06/24/greg-ballard-independent-secretary-state-jim-banks-indiana-gop/90659037007/ Right now Mr. Ballard has my vote for Indiana Secretary of State. His candidacy is a breath of fresh air in Indiana state politics, and shows yet again all that is wrong with two-party systems.

Two new Illinois locations make their pitch to become the home of the Chicago Bears: https://wgntv.com/sports/two-new-illinois-locations-make-their-pitch-to-become-the-home-of-the-chicago-bears/

Your equating the government to organized crime is interesting. Getting government out of the education business entirely solves this problem.

For us baseball neophytes can you explain why there is a difference?

Sure, if the Bears build and maintain those roadways they should be able to charge for their use. Actually sounds like a great model for most roadways in general.

I should have been more clear: "100%" of the cost includes the "infrastructure". If you want the people to come then build that as well. It should not be a taxpayer responsibility. Yes I would. I oppose all forms of crony capitalism, including tax abatement and publicly funded infrastructure upgrades.

Good opinion piece here from WGN: https://wgntv.com/sports/column-its-time-to-swallow-your-pride-bears-ownership/ The Bears ownership is just like most other NFL owners, they want to suck on the public teat of "free money" even when they have the ability to privately fund 100% the cost of this new stadium. As for the "historic sports franchise" line I contend that most Illinois citizens south of Springfield don't give a darn about the Bears, and the city of Chicago for that matter. And they sure don't want to their taxes to pay for a new stadium. Heck most of them would donate $ for a new St. Louis Cardinals baseball stadium before giving a cent to the Bears.

Biggest question for the Colts in the upcoming season is the health of it's star and Jonathon Taylor's contract: https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/columnists/gregg-doyel/2026/06/17/colts-2026-nfl-season-daniel-jones-achilles-alec-pierce-ankle-jonathan-taylor-contract/90523636007/ The injury recovery stuff is what it is. Colts management can't do much about it. But this Taylor contract issue could blow up in their face real fast. I hope they pay him what he's worth.

I swear to <insert_deity_here_if_you_worship_one> that I did.

You can probably find a good one at Goodwill, a thrift store, or even area garage sales.

Anarcho-Tyranny is Killing College Sports: https://mises.org/mises-wire/anarcho-tyranny-killing-college-sports

https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/sports/nfl/chicago-bears/chicago-bears-considering-second-hammond-indiana-stadium-site-sources/3945592/ AND https://wgntv.com/politics-3/jb-pritzker-open-to-special-session-if-illinois-legislators-can-rally-around-one-bears-stadium-bill/

What happens in these travel leagues if an official is approached by a parent/fan/booster/coach and offered "compensation" to see that their team gets favorable calls? This has had to have happened in the past and was wondering what kind of reporting process is in place and what are the repercussions for those offering the bribe.

You have inside information?

It's just a game, played by children. Why are we continuing to try and take the human element out of a game? What are the current betting lines for Travel ball?

Another reason why sports gambling is a stupid activity: https://www.indystar.com/story/opinion/columnists/2026/06/09/sports-betting-sportsbooks-rigged-against-bettors/90035631007/ No, the only way to really win is not to play. Much like a game of Global Thermonuclear War.

The NCAA is dead. Long live the NCAA.

I'm ambivalent regarding private sector unions. If individuals want to join one and really believe they derive some benefit from it, more power to them. But public sector unions should be illegal. Full stop.

But, but what about all the toxic waste that is supposed to be on, and surrounding the Hammond site? How many more taxpayers dollars will it take to remove all that, maybe dump it somewhere in Green Bay?

For the last couple of years I've been taking a weekend trip to Illinois in July for a family get together/reunion. Have been staying at a hotel that always seems to be filled with obnoxious parents and kids from travel baseball or softball teams. There must be some kind of sports complex nearby.............................