Comment 52583

By adrian (registered) | Posted December 03, 2010 at 07:52:13

If this is the case, then why aren't private investors already building it? There are only two possibilities

I already answered this question. See my comment above.

If LRT is such a sure thing investment, private capital could easily buy options on all the properties along Main/King, build the line and then exercise those options once they increased in value

That's just plain silly, and I'm not going to even dignify that with a thoughtful response, except to say that if you believe private companies have the time, inclination, and money to attempt to negotiate lease agreements with purchasing options for every piece of property along the proposed LRT line, you have no idea how business works. Besides, you've just gone from claiming that private interests should build the LRT and now switched over to private interests should lease or purchase all of the land next to the proposed LRT line even though there is no formal government commitment to build it.

I must say I'm disappointed in the quality of your remarks. I've long ignored your comments, since from experience I've discovered you don't argue in good faith, but I thought I'd give you a try in this thread since I understood the perspective you initially took on this. As it was couched in economic terms, and as you try to portray yourself as a capitalist, I thought that, as a businessperson, I may be able to engage in a business-oriented discussion with you.

However, I don't think you have a grasp on the finer points of the motivations, rationale, and logic of business and businesspeople. I don't think you understand how business is done, in general, or in this city. You're a "capitalist" insofar as you believe in an economic theory but not in the practical sense of having capital or knowing what to do with it if you did.

If you believe simple capitalism is the answer to Hamilton's problems, I'd encourage you to actually go into business for yourself so you can try out your theories in the real world. I think you might find that attempting to lease all of the property along the King Street corridor, for example, is a little tricky.

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