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State Control Over the Means of Production

Copperas Cove Chamber of Commerce Vice President Betty Price said, short of the school system and city services, the development corporation will become one of the town's biggest employers.

Copyright ©2009TWEAN News Channel of Austin, L.P. d.b.a. News 8 Austin


It is possible this is a mistake and the writer meant to say the new Cinergy Cinemas development will be one of the largest source of jobs in the area. Regardless, the ultimate analysis is not changed much.

The above News8Austin article is frustratingly short on details of how the EDC lured Cinergy Cinemas to Copperas Cove. Was it a tax break? Property sold below market rates as a result of a tax seizure, condemnation, or eminent domain? Special treatment by waiving local business regulations? The EDC autofellatio is just as light on how they accomplished this; their 2008 annual report (PDF) also suffers from "Lookit us, we're awesome!" syndrome. Even if their efforts were limited to promoting the city's relative attractiveness compared to other areas, they were only able to do this through a "1/2 cent sales tax" imposed on businesses in the city limits. However, it appears they will go much further (PDF) if they want.

It is important to note how this is portrayed. The PR (both the news article and the EDC material) speaks only of the superficial consumer benefits and pays no attention to the means used to secure these benefits. This sets up a red herring the moment you voice opposition to the project. How could I be against the area's first R-rated theater, fancy new ways to enjoy movies, and a big source of jobs? I must be anti-growth or something!

Wrong. I'm anti-state and this project smells like typical state intervention into the market.

A government-funded and government-run education system. A government-funded and government-run utility and civic services system. Spillover effects from the largest US Army base in the world. Now, a huge entertainment venture that was convinced to break ground as a direct result of government intervention and will round out the top employers in the area.

I bet people over there think they live in a free market system and routinely talk about freedom and liberty.

Posted by drizzten on May 17, 2009 11:24 AM |

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