While you're no doubt at least somewhat right, at least the democratic billionaires aren't monsters.

Trump, Sheldon Adelson and the Koch brothers are using their money to corrupt democracy in ways that were never even dreamed of. Those are some seriously bad guys. And I've often wondered what some of the poorest people in the US are doing thinking their interests align with these billionaires.
- James_Tanner

George Soros isn't a democrat billionaire piece of poop?

Exactly. Soros is quite possibly the most evil man alive and he's the lifeblood of the democratic party.
- madmike71

Your right on the one!

Used to have Rangers tickets '00-'03, but my salary didn't keep up with the yearly increase. Now? forget about it. Obscene.

Exciting time to be an Isles fan fer sher.
Now...about that coach.
- Fenrir

He is the worst.

In any case, maybe we should also think about how, for hockey, both our taxes and our ticket costs contribute to making the absolutely wealthy incredibly wealthier at our expense, with little gratitude, results or accountability in return...
- ahjnkn

Why single out hockey? It's all sports, movie, music, fine arts, Facebook, weekly groceries, car, your employer, etc. Anybody with any sense will charge whatever the market will bear. Tell me you don't do the same with regards to your skills vs. your employer/customers. You pays your money and you takes your choice.

Why single out hockey? It's all sports, movie, music, fine arts, Facebook, weekly groceries, car, your employer, etc. Anybody with any sense will charge whatever the market will bear. Tell me you don't do the same with regards to your skills vs. your employer/customers. You pays your money and you takes your choice.
- itsborken

Well, I singled out hockey because this debate is in a hockey forum, but yes it's the same regardless of the sport. Some other sports, like baseball, are much worse just given the size of the stadiums.

As for me, I charge for services on a sliding scale of ability to pay, throttle the rich cause they can afford it and do other services pro bono based on need and overall justification of the service provided. #taxaccountants

As for me, I charge for services on a sliding scale of ability to pay, throttle the rich cause they can afford it and do other services pro bono based on need and overall justification of the service provided. #taxaccountants
- ahjnkn

I'd say your sliding scale is a variation on charging what the market will bear, no? Kudos for the pro bono work.

So, now that the railing against the man has subsided, I'm naturally curious how our friends up North financed their arenas way back in the days of yore? I'm guessing the expansion South of the border caused the arena arms race?

So, now that the railing against the man has subsided, I'm naturally curious how our friends up North financed their arenas way back in the days of yore? I'm guessing the expansion South of the border caused the arena arms race?
- itsborken

Franchises like Toronto and Montreal have always been financially 'fluid'; so I would imagine (without looking anything up) that they were able to build using no public funds. As for other Canadian teams I think there has always been some public funding (EDM currently is getting a tax kickback I believe)

So, now that the railing against the man has subsided, I'm naturally curious how our friends up North financed their arenas way back in the days of yore? I'm guessing the expansion South of the border caused the arena arms race?
- itsborken

well, Maple Leaf Gardens was built by selling shares, and taking advantage of the depression- lots of cheap labour.

As far as I can tell, the ACC was privately financed by the Raptors, and then MLSE when they bought the Raptors out, and made modifications to the design to make it suitable for hockey

James Tanner: John Oliver Takes On the Coyotes
HBO Meets the NHL
- James_Tanner

Loved that video..Oliver nailed it