Library in Minnesota got a federal grant to install electric car chargers in parking lot. Why do we pay for that?

The same reason we pay taxes for everything else. Are you seriously that moronic?

Taxes are paid by citizens to the government so that they can ensure that the general good is helped. In the future, electric cars are going to become MUCH, MUCH more prevalent, and 5 years down the line when your neighbor has an electric car, and the guy down the street does too, maybe those chargers won't seem so dumb.

Just a thought.

SMH, some people are so dense. Seriously, are you in 8th grade?

Why does the federal government give grants to build libraries at all - and why does a portion of those grants go to free parking? Why does the government make any parking at all? Shouldn't you libertarians work on a free-market solution to allow for carry-able cars so that you don't have to lean on the government to provide your parking infrastructure?

990 wrote:

Why does the public pay for that?

Trying to deal wrote:

The same reason we pay taxes for everything else. Are you seriously that moronic?

Then why don't we pay taxes to build gas stations?

The previous question was meant for Trying to deal.

Correct label, I'll give you that.

I'll just ask you one question though that will prove me right.

How come the country instituted a federal income tax (Amendment 16)?

taxman wrote:

Why does the federal government give grants to build libraries at all -

Libraries are really an anachronism in this day and age.

Sort of like how Public television/radio is needed to ensure a diversity of viewpoints...

Somebody you elected in Minnesota put in a bid for that.

Mr. Obvious wrote:

taxman wrote:

Why does the federal government give grants to build libraries at all -

Libraries are really an anachronism in this day and age.

Sort of like how Public television/radio is needed to ensure a diversity of viewpoints...

The more obvious analogy is, of course, the Post Office and the US Postal Service.

Blowing.Rock Master wrote:

Then why don't we pay taxes to build gas stations?

I believe that a lot of the infrastructure that allows gas stations to be built are paid by tax dollars.

Now the station istelf can be paid for by the revenues of the gas station.

Libraries are an investment with taxpayer dollars to educate the public.

They do not generate revenue to finance the building.

Their value is in educating the public to be more productive which will lead to more tax dollars coming in. That's how they pay for themselves.

Finisher wrote:

The more obvious analogy is, of course, the Post Office and the US Postal Service.

Them too!!!!

value isn't always dollars wrote:

Libraries are an investment with taxpayer dollars to educate the public.

They do not generate revenue to finance the building.

Their value is in educating the public to be more productive which will lead to more tax dollars coming in. That's how they pay for themselves.

What is the return on investment due to tax dollars put into libraries?

Mr. Obvious wrote:

Libraries are really an anachronism in this day and age.

Yeah, it really sucks that people who can't afford computers have a place they can go to use the internet.

Mitt Romney wrote:

And clean water, and sewage plants! Let's quit having our tax dollars pay for them! We can all go to the river and haul our own water back in buckets! Sanitize it ourselves too!

Romney 2016!

User fees.

i hate poor people too wrote:

Mr. Obvious wrote:

Libraries are really an anachronism in this day and age.

Yeah, it really sucks that people who can't afford computers have a place they can go to use the internet.

I don't have any problem w/ computer terminals. The amount of books most libraries have vs. the amount that are actually used is ridiculous. The physical space of libraries could be cut into 1/3rd what it is now by focusing on how people actually use libraries these days.

Why do you have a problem with the guy that wants drive his Volt to the library to look at internet porn? He has his rights.

value isn't always dollars wrote:

Blowing.Rock Master wrote:

Then why don't we pay taxes to build gas stations?

I believe that a lot of the infrastructure that allows gas stations to be built are paid by tax dollars.

Value: Don't even bother, most people on here won't get it. Everything from the roads to the sewer hookups for the bathrooms to the ways-and-means inspectors at gas stations are paid for by tax dollars. People are just to oblivious to notice any of this stuff.

That gas station on the corner of 9th and Jackson? There wouldn't be a 9th and Jackson without tax dollars.

What people like Blowing Rock Master are really opposed to is change.

990 wrote:

Why does the public pay for that?

Because it would be awesome??? Why else?

The more obvious analogy is, of course, the Post Office and the US Postal Service.

Try reading this. Article 1 Section 8. The Post office is constitutionally mandated. Find me libraries anywhere in the Constitution. Don't give me the "general welfare " crap either. Enumerated powers of the federal government.

Libraries, charging stations are fine if your state wants to pay for them.

taxman wrote:

Why does the federal government give grants to build libraries at all - and why does a portion of those grants go to free parking? Why does the government make any parking at all? Shouldn't you libertarians work on a free-market solution to allow for carry-able cars so that you don't have to lean on the government to provide your parking infrastructure?

I believe the libertarian answer would be to privatize all parking spots and lots and let private owners lease/rent/distribute how they see fit.