Tell legislators not to spend a dime

Tuesday Seattle voters approved an initiative that prevents the city from using tax dollars to subsidize professional sports unless they generate a small percentage of profit for the city as well as themselves. Seattle voters exhibited an uncommon amount of common sense in doing this and by a 3-to-1 margin no less.

Now we can expect the Sonics to bypass the voters and appeal to our legislators for help. They have come to realize that our representatives in Olympia are a little less conservative, shall we say, than voters in spending our dollars. They will get in line with the NASCAR people, the professional lacrosse people, pro hockey and God only knows who else in seeking sustenance from the taxpayer.

The fact is, no professional sport returns in dollars what they cost in subsidy, including the Mariners and Seahawks. It’s another case of what is good for business is not necessarily good business for the rest of us. Even people in California are learning. Sacramento voters just rejected spending tax dollars on a new arena. Surely we are just as smart. Call your legislators if you are.

Don Curtis

Clinton