The games has indeed, cost taxpayers a considerable amount of money. This becomes most poignant when considering we are in the midst of the largest economic recession since the Great Depression. However, I personally fail to see how protesting a games will have any desired effects other then sour grapes. The games have already been paid for and whether the taxpayer agrees or not, the check is already in the mail.
Now as a citizen with mild Western Canadian values, I do not exactly agree with wild government spending, but when I see the look on Frederick Bilodeau's face when his brother Alex won Canada's first gold, the economic issue of the games suddenly become irrelevant.
The Olympics, while expensive, bring out out the best of the human spirit. Indeed, even when you jeer against the other country, it is in good-natured and the excellence of craft comes through.
To protest the value of this spirit is counterproductive
Todd Colin Vaughan - Journalist
Protesting is absolutely pointless in regards to the Olympics. These protesters I'm sure are not part of the academic elite by any stretch of the imagination. Although the games are very expensive much money can also be made. Tourists from all over the globe pay top dollar for hotels, tickets, meals, merchandise, transportation so on and so forth. Although I don't believe they can make a profit I believe that the funds spent on the games are nothing short of a faint scratch on Canada’s financial capability. Many have the belief that because of the games being held in Canada that other public institutions are not receiving needed funds. To my knowledge I haven’t heard that fear is actually justified by any means. Even with the economic turndown the government of Canada is far from poor. The money I believe is well spent not just for the prestige but also for the Olympic spirit of a time of relative peace in our lives and I'm proud to have the games in Canada.
ReplyDelete