Reason.tv: Lessons From LeBron or, What Clevelanders Should Really Be Pissed About
by Nick GillespieLeBron James has decided to move to Florida and play for the Miami Heat rather than bear another season with the Cavaliers.
Everybody is piling on: How could a dude with a tattoo of the word loyalty on his chest abandon “the mistake on the lake?”
But LeBron is only doing what more than half of Cleveland’s population has done over the in the last 60 years: Getting the hell out of the place.
He didn’t leave because of money, though some analyses show that he can take home more in pay in Florida despite a lower salary. Ohio used to be one of the lowest-tax states in the country. Now it’s one of the highest.
That’s what Clevelanders should be outraged about. Their economy has enough to deal with already without being put in a full court press by high taxes.
Cleveland needs to get rid of its savior complex. LeBron James could never have saved Cleveland–no single sports star or entrepreneur or bailout can–but there are definite, proven steps that any city can take to improve
life for its citizens.
Reason.tv highlighted a whole host of possible steps in our series “Reason Saves Cleveland” available at www.reason.tv.
“Don’t Blame LeBron” was produced by Dan Hayes and Nick Gillespie. Production Assistant Joshua Swain.
Go to http://reason.tv for downloadable versions of this and all our videos, and subscribe to Reason.tv’s YouTube channel to receive automatic notification when new material goes live.
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39 Comments
Cleveland, where the rivers burn… Something about having a savior in such a city makes me laugh.
My husband is from Ohio and is mad as hell at James for leaving. I'm no NBA fan but I can understand why he left. I would too, if my state was high on taxes.
Who cares…….He will pay less taxes…Stop wasting your time on reality shows and sports while our country tanks
Headline from June 23rd:
Census 2010 results are in: Cleveland tops list of cities with biggest population losses
Don't blame LeBron. Blame the greedy lazy politicians who love taxing the hell out of success. I love it when the same politicians are the first ones to cry foul when the overly taxed bolt for Florida.
NEWSFLASH NICK:
Anyone who followed the controversy over LeBron James realized two things: Even with him on the team, the Cavaliers possessed neither the ability nor the heart to get to a championship and win. Secondly, as soon as he got an offer he wouldn’t refuse, he’d be gone.
Now that both situations have come true, there’s a lot of anger among Cleveland fans. I’m a football fan myself, having been a faithful follower of the Cleveland Browns for 46 years. Basketball is not my favorite sport. It’s the principle. What transpired was craven behavior on the part of a beloved athlete.
It’s not just what James did, it’s how. He conducted a three-ring media circus with himself as the main attraction. He disrespected Cleveland on national T.V. and did not have the courage or conviction to face the fans or the owner, Dan Gilbert. He was not straightforward. He chose instead to broadcast his message from the comfort of an ESPN studio. Then he fled down to Miami where Pat Riley met him at the airport and whisked him away to a hotel. Nice touch, LeBron.
NEWSFLASH NICK:
cont:
We all realize that sports is a “business”, but the trouble is, fans and local business owners also have a financial stake in their team, and they get shafted the worst. Vendors, restaurants, pubs, and parking lots, take a big hit when a star player or a team leaves town. The whole industry surrounding a sports team has an investment in the business and the effects are economically devastating.
Gilbert is right about James quitting. I watched those playoff games with the Celtics. He played like shit. You could tell his mind, heart, and body simply weren’t in the game. Much of the blame rests on him. Having said that, one player does not a team make. You need a supporting cast to assist and step up when you falter.
NEWSFLASH NICK:
cont:
As for his new team, the Miami Heat: He took his unfinished business to a team that has only won a single championship, back in the 2005-2006 season. The lure was the signing of Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, who will be his teammates. A warning to Miami: We Cleveland fans know all about hyperbole and the high hopes attached to newly acquired athletes. Tim Couch comes to mind. We’re also painfully aware of getting this close to a championship, only to watch in total disbelief as the chance slipped away with one fatuous mistake on the part of a coach or player. This is not the first time a well-liked player (or team owner) has abandoned our town. Unfortunately, we’re old hands at this. Even after all that, we still believe that if you give loyalty, appreciation, and support to a team, you’re supposed to receive it in return.
As for the Cavaliers and our other Cleveland sports teams, maybe this will serve as a catalyst for the determination to fill our teams with the athletes who will bring us our long overdue championships.
Lebron James has moved to Miami, taking his ego and self-promotion with him.
Good luck Miami; you’ll need it.
That is soooooo 1970s. Get over it dickweed. We have.
If you can't see the humor in that, you have no sense of humor. And stop acting like a troll with the personal insults. Or I'll treat you like a troll and smack you down.
Recently buried corpses rise from the grave to buy Heat tickets – as ACORN rushes to register them to vote – SHOCKING deets are at:
http://spnheadlines.blogspot.com/2010/07/zombies-...
Peace!
He will save 6% from not having Ohio state income tax and 2% from not having Cleveland municipal tax – this is quite a bit a of money.
another wealthy Obama supporter that doesn't want to pay high taxes, yet only conservatives seem to be called out by the left for such things
I wish James well in his new Florida life. With all the whining going on as to he didn't notify the coach, teammates, city, etc. all I have to say is GOOD FOR HIM.
It appears that too many people have the idea imbedded in their feeble skulls, by the absolute brainwashing from the idiotic unions that someone who quits, leaves for a better job or whatever, has to fill out paperwork give notice to everyone and have some form of exit party.
If you haven’t noticed yet, THIS IS A FREE COUNTRY at least what's left of it. James owed nobody anything except his last tax bill. Which I am sure he is happy to drop that one final turd on a dying city and state.
Ohio, you dips are almost as bad as the tree hugging Frisco fairies. If you continue to vote the useless turds into office who keep your taxes high and the census getting lower, you will be just another city/state filled with useless beggars.
MSM musta struck a nerve, eh?
Lebrone James, eh?
Who dat?
Cleveland, where the rivers burn. They don't anymore, that's why the taxes are outrageous. EPA, DNR, bye, bye iron industry. You can drink the Ohio river now but you can't get a job. Oh, but wait, a new stadium will save us. Rome as it burns!!! Wake up people, America is going to he!! in a hand basket. Stop the Gestapo, EPA, or we the people will be banned, carbon dioxide, "CAP AND TAX". One day closer to serfdom under king Obummer. God help and bless us all.
When the population and politicians of cities like Clieveland, Detroit. Philadelphia and others, stop wallowing in black grievance mongering and resenting 'whitey'… and really make those cities attractive places to do business like advocating for tax reform and individual responsibility with citizens who obey the law, and emphasize scholarship and 'legal' entrepreneurship ……we won't have to have these discussions about people leaving…and what one person is going to 'turn the city around' !
You got it!! Tobad other people don't. Thanks.
Want to be a Citizen Producer of quality pro-American movies?
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It could be the best money you ever spend for your kids and grand kids.
Papa Ray
from an article on yahoo…
"In addition, Fathead.com, an online retailer owned by Cavs owner Dan Gilbert dropped the price of its LeBron Fathead wall decals from $99.99 to $17.41, which happens to be the same year Revolutionary War traitor Benedict Arnold was born."
He was arrested last year or so doing over 100 mph on I71 south, and got off with a fine and community service.
Aside from that, cleveland's basketball team was only learning to be a backdrop for him.
Personally, I say good riddance, and we'll see if the courts are as lenient in Florida.
Judicial courts, that is…..
Great site Papa Ray. I am joining. It's true what they say Hollyweird pretty much controls the way our country thinks as sad as that is. People don't seem to realize they "are" just actors pushing an agenda.
Remember Mike Baab, #61 during the 80's? He was Bernie Kosar's center for about ten years. Worked with him in Austin. Great guy, great American, loves the Browns and still keeps in touch with Tom Couseneau, and Kosar et al.
Agree about LeBron – it's a free country – hey do what you're going to do, but he needed to handle that situ like a man and he should have told the Cavs MONTHS AGO that he wasn't coming back.
I understand the franchise devalued about 25%, right?
Enough with the obsession with these petty celebrities. He's really good at throwing a ball in a hole. Impressive.
Exactly!
Hmmmm,
yea, ok
Guess so. Oh well…
[...] » Reason.tv: Lessons From LeBron or, What Clevelanders Should … [...]
You still have Dennis the Menace in Congress…end of marketing plan. Cleveland fails………
It is pretty sad when a city tries to pin it's economic woes on a non-governmental figure, lol.
Kucinich looks like a demented little elf, lol.
Actually, Cleveland needs to pin its' economic recovery on non-governmental entities. Government sucks the life out of an economy, local and national.
[...] » Reason.tv: Lessons From LeBron or, What Clevelanders Should … [...]
Cleveland needs one thing….Carmelo Anthony in 2011. Okay, actually they need an expanded tax base built on late 20th century technology (or better).
But rather than being all depressed about it, get a laugh by reading this FUNNY article about LeBron's disappointment 2010 tour!
http://www.dailygoat.com/2010/07/lebron-continues...
Asshat. I AM A NATIVE CLEVELANDER. That wasn't "humor". That was an outdated, hackneyed insult. I got your "troll". If you want to trade insults, I'm game. Where I come from, you have to be tough and not put up with any BS. Matter of fact, I can say all kinds of things about some bona fide cesspools; like Detroit, New Orleans, Chicago, NYC…their crime rates, corruption, murder capital status. Wanna compare notes? If you want to carry on this conversation in a knock down, drag-out fashion, come to my blog. I've posted the same comment about LeBron there. http://sfcmac.wordpress.com/2010/07/09/goodbye-le...
Otherwise, STFU.
Probably more than that.
Yeah, my last good one.
I understand.Y'all down there sure don't have much positive to look forward to, eh? According to jessie Jacksons letter, even the slaves are leaving the plantation. Just the type press y'all needed.
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