'Time is Now,' for Improved Services

You may have read the Fox 9 report on Friday April 20 regarding the Vikings Stadium. In it, the commissioner of the NFL, Roger Goddell, is quoted as saying "the time is now" for a Vikings stadium bill to get done.

Minnesota lawmakers were also quoted:

”The reality check is this is the year to do it,” Sen. Julie Rosen said. “We cannot wait until next year.”

"We cannot have this decision delayed another year,” said Rep. Morrie Lanning. “It's time for Minnesota to make a decision.”


It's interesting but I agree with their quotes. Yep, "the time is now," "The reality check is this is the year to it," "We cannot wait until next year." "We cannot have this decision delayed another year," "It's time for Minnesota to make a decision." What they've got wrong is the topic. It's not the Vikings stadium, it's providing adequate services to people with disabilities.

I agree that the time is now for Minnesota to make a decision about whether or not they value the citizens of this state that can not care for themselves or need assistance to navigate their daily lives. 'We can not wait until next year' as we watch single mothers struggle to make ends meet while trying desperately to care for their disabled child. 'We can not have this decision delayed another year' while individuals sit at home in their wheelchair waiting for someone to help them use the toilet because their PCA (personal care attendant) funding was cut or eliminated.


The NFL commissioner went on to warn the governor that inaction on the stadium brings "serious consequences" for both the Vikings and the NFL.

"Serious consequences?" What? like job loss or the team has to move? Yes those are hard things, but "serious consequences"? How about the serious consequences of choosing between food and medications? How about the serious consequences of getting a kidney infection that leads to kidney failure because you couldn't get to the toilet in a timely manner? How about the serious consequences of giving your child the wrong medicine that almost kills them because of severe sleep deprivation from being up for 36 hours at a time?

Come on commissioner, let's get real. Teams move. Look at the Browns, um I mean Ravens. Seems to me they were once in Cleveland. Hmm, I think that city now has a team called the Browns. Looks like even after all of the 'serious consequences' it worked out for two cities when the Browns moved.

Alright so I ranted about the stadium issue, but what about a solution for both parties? After all, I'm not in favor of folks losing their jobs even if it is related to football.

I can't believe that there isn't anyone in this state smart enough to come up with a proposal that will allow a stadium to be built AND get some additional funding for those folks who literally can NOT take care of themselves?

I keep hearing that there's no good way to structure the tax burden we will have to impose to get a stadium built. Why on earth does it have to be taxes? Look, either stadiums are money makers or they're not. Based on all of the talk, I'd say they're not. However, the owner of any sports team stands to gain a PILE of money if he/she can sell the team with a new stadium.

So instead of making the citizens of this state pay for the stadium, let the owners borrow the money from the state. I'm sure you've heard of the concept - take out a loan to build a house or make improvements on it. Then you have the owner pay back the loan WITH INTEREST. Take the interest from the loan and put it into programs for our most needy citizens.

This will make everyone happy - the owner and the team get a new home. The owner is set to make a PILE of money when he/she sells the team. The disabled get the services they need from the interest of the loan.

The commissioner is right - "The time is now." We need to take care of our most vulnerable and if the Vikings get to play their game in the process, I'm all for it.

MN Vikings: That Doesn't Work for Us!

Perhaps you've heard that two Minnesota Lawmakers want to give the Metrodome to the Minnesota Vikings. What a brilliant idea! It's creative, it's new, it's fresh and it doesn't add a new tax burden to anyone in the state!

Unfortunately the Minnesota Vikings have said that won't work for them. They want, no they're now demanding a NEW stadium. "Even stadium opponents understand the facility no longer works for the team, our fans of the state," team spokesman Jeff Anderson said.

Well, Mr. Anderson, Mr. Wilf, Mr. Mondale and all the rest of you, do what the rest of us do, make it work!

It doesn't really work all of the people with disabilities that took a reduction to their budgets as of September 1st this year and will take another reduction July 1st 2012!

It doesn't work because they have less staff because the staff quit due to getting paid less, or they have to cut back in some other place just to take care of their family member who has a disability.

It doesn't work for those families who lost health care because the parents can't hold a full-time job because they're absent so much due to the poor health of their disabled child and they can't get state run insurance because they're just over the threshold to qualify.

It doesn't work for the adult children of aging parents who lost their home because the services that helped them take care of their parent were cut.

It doesn't work, but they make it work. They have no choice. They come up with creative solutions and have to find a way to make it work. It's time for you to do the same. You've been offered a gift. Take it. Christmas is here now. Take your gifts and be thankful.