Northwest Indiana Discussion

Doug Ross' column resorts to methods of manipulative mass-media re South-Shore extension, and idea of economic development in order to legally purloin 34% of the county's CEDIT fund:

He advocates, "State law allows it to be used for any purpose, but it's called an economic development tax for a reason. Lake County needs jobs, and the South Shore extension would deliver them."

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This is an utterly specious and misleading conflation of Keynesian government stimulus and the concept of permanently expanded economic development; indeed, a false characterization that attempts to equate means with ends, cause with effect. Aside from temporary construction jobs, the statistical projections of future employment are so speculatory as to be quantified fictions, devoid of reliably concrete substance reflecting authentic probability.

It is truly bad-faith manipulative to merely allude to the sum of money needed to be collected via signifiers such as "34 percent of CEDIT." The facts, something supposedly paramount to news publications, is we need to come up with $285 million - and we aint got it. Not now, not in ten years. What's more, the CEDIT wasnt designed to fund the infrastructural seeding advancing the interests of real estate developers and banking interests.

Truly, there is nothing more dangerous today than the media and its adoption of propagandistic methodology. It's like hearing of opposition Ukrainians, who eschew closer ties with Russia, citing aversion to Russian economic cronyism, preferring, they said, stronger ties with the EU and America --- and what, its versions of crony capitalism? Lol. Talk about eastern Europe absurd.

The Ross writing had the tone of a "used car salesman". That actually is a compliment though for politicians and The Times' writers, whom I'd rank lower than rank salesmen. Part of Ross' pitch...

This year, the non-federal match for the project is 50 percent. But with increasing demand for that money, the non-federal match is likely to increase. And that's if the program still exists after this year.

The deadline for applying is March 31, and filling out the paperwork takes time.

Hurry! You must act now! Offer ending! Buy now because prices will be going up! I've got someone else looking to buy this car this afternoon. All so cliche. When The Times makes it's next round of salary eliminations, at least Dougie has a career to fall back on. One with Take a different take home car everyday perks.

oh yeah. Visclosky via Rich James and Ross, have been banging the drum. It's hard-sell all the way, especially by Visclosky. But its more than hard sell, it is manipulation hoping to induce a forced-sale, a coerced sale. The Region's citizens and their representatives are muscling us to get on the hook for $285 million minus the $120 million the RDA and tax loop hole make available.

the problem is we are all tapped out. even if we wanted to raise taxes, I believe we have exhausted the limits and annual raises allowed. But this last position needs further research and is speculatory.

Is Tom McDermott now on board with SSEX? From a NIRPC story, McDemott is said to have said...

“I like that personally, because a lot of people are viewing my opposition to SB 367 as opposition to the West Lake expansion,” McDermott said.

“It clarifies that I do support the RDA. I do support the (rail) expansion. But I support it fairly. It’s got to be fair with everybody. Right now, the gun is to the head of the northern cities and it’s not fair. They support the commitment to the RDA but just object to this technique."

Two weeks ago, he was adamant that the RDA be disbanded. This week, he's eyeing a statewide run. Next week, he'll be distracted by the shiny object outside his office window.

Yeah he's on board if he can get the legislature to refund money from closing tax loop-hole