Stop funding CIB

Well-intentioned or not, competent or not, the so-called "leaders" [sports columnist Bill Benner] referenced in your [May 4] column failed miserably in representing the best interests of taxpayers and instead presided over an unconscionable transfer of wealth from "We the people" to a small number of professional sports owners and players.

Rather than resentment, perhaps "We the people" are now exhibiting wisdom in signaling our recognition that the so-called public-private "partnership" that got us into this mess is a luxury we can’t afford. Looks like the Indy chapter of "We the people" (through its "leaders") made a bad bet and now join the ranks of groups and individuals who’ve made what turned out to be bad bets in equities, real estate, etc. over the last few years.

Oops! Insanity is often described as doing the same thing over and over while hoping for a different outcome. Under that definition, throwing more taxpayer money at the Capital Improvement Board is insane. Perhaps it is time to stop. And despite the ugly consequences, shouldn’t we take a long, hard, dispassionate, unbiased look at this possibly being the least ugly of what regrettably appear to be nothing but ugly options before us?

While we’re at it—and as a touch of sanity—how about taking a long, hard new look at the funds "We the people" are being asked to pony up for the parties, staging and hoopla associated with a certain big football game in 2012?

As they say, when you find yourself in a hole, stop digging.
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Hal Carter