A. Barton Hinkle on Taxpayer-Subsidized Projects for the Elite

As Richmond, VA considers a broad new
redevelopment plan that includes a baseball stadium, A. Barton
Hinkle recalls a quote. “We should be careful to get out of an
experience only the wisdom that is in it,” Mark Twain advised,
“lest we be like the cat that sits down on a hot stove lid. She
will never sit down on a hot stove lid again … but also she will
never sit down on a cold one.” Hinkle says that Richmond should be
wise enough not to assume the stadium project will be another hot
stove lid that will leave everyone feeling burned. But the city
also should recognize that the project has some parallels.

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