Go Colts!

I'm really looking forward to this afternoon's big game- Colts @ New England Patriots; winner goes to the Super Bowl. I have had a couple of experiences in my life where my hometown team had the chance to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl, but the Browns helped send John Elway there every time, and to the Hall of Fame, as he built his mystique around The Drive back in the '86 season. Denver beat the Browns again in the championship game after the '87 season, and again in '89. I've had this experience three times in my life, so I'm hoping that the change of scenery, and a remarkably potent offense, will bring the thrill of victory to my hometown.

I have reservations for the aftermath, though. No, I am not expecting that if the Colts win the good people of Indianapolis will celebrate by overturning parked cars, setting fires, and looting stores. I am concerned that they will celebrate by building the team a new dome. There are about 1000 good reasons not to build a stadium on the backs of the citizens. The Cato Institute's comprehensive studies are a must-read for Mayors, City-County Council reps, and news media alike. Cato Item #1, with streaming video. Cato Policy Analysis #339. Cato short article. Cato short article. Cato scholarly article.

I cannot stand socialized football. It pains me enough that there is redistribution of wealth in so many other areas of society. But football?

Cities do not belong in the business of being the landlord. They have enough to do addressing public safety and vital infrastructure. These should be priorities, but aren't. The police do a job I wouldn't do, and yet they have been working without a contract for over a year. The sewers gush raw filth into the ironically named White River every time a quarter-inch of rain falls because the system cannot handle the capacity. THESE THINGS ARE PRIORITIES! Mayor Peterson, however, has not addressed these things, and continues to hint that the Colts are still high on his priority list.

But, in the afterglow of a victory that helps assure us that we are big league, the people may be led by the Mayor to a big taxpayer dollar giveaway.

I am hoping that Mr. Irsay, the owner of the Colts, throws down the gauntlet and says, 'gimme gimme gimme or I go!'

Either way, I say, "Go Colts!"