Sarasota Observer to local advertisers: Drop dead
May 8th, 2009 by Cooper Levey-Baker in Editor's Desk, News, Politics, Sarasota-Manatee
Although we’ve marveled a few times in this space over the ludicrousness of The Sarasota Observer editorial page, a column by Gulf Coast Business Review Executive Editor Rod Thomson in this week’s issue really takes the cake. In a piece titled “‘Buy Local’ Is a Bad Buy,” Mr. Thomson makes the argument that purchasing goods from local producers is… wait for it… a terrible idea.
The argument begins sensibly enough, with the legit point that perhaps local government should not consider whether or not a bidder is local when handing out contracts, and that doing so might cost taxpayers more than it should. But then — there’s always a “but then” when it comes to Observer editorials — Thomson expands his argument, and applies it to all transactions:
“Buy local” is a bad idea. In the great slippery slope of local economic policy, this leads eventually to an all-out protectionism war in which everybody loses, with the possible exception of the pandering political class.
Does Mr. Thomson really think Sarasota County is on the cusp of an “all-out protectionism war” because it gives local producers a slight edge when bidding for government contracts?
Taken to logical conclusions, if you are a Sarasota County resident, you would try to choose a store on the south side of University Parkway, which is in Sarasota County, rather than the north side of University, which is in Manatee County
That may seem “logical” to Thomson, but probably not to any other sentient being.
In what world do people define their local community by county or city lines? Most people, I think, understand that, in the example Thomson gives, supporting a Manatee County business is helping your community as much as giving that business to a Sarasota firm.
But, apparently, Thomson doesn’t care whether or not his readers spend their money at local boutiques instead of Wal-Mart or at locally owned restaurants instead of chains. (This despite massive evidence that shows that local businesses reinvest income in their communities at levels totally unmatched by large corporations.)
Wonder how Observer advertisers feel about Thomson telling them to drop dead?
May 8th, 2009 at 6:17 pm
rod thompson is an elitist piece of pondscum who, by virtue of being born with a platinum spoon in his mouth, has never had to work an honest day in his life! anytime i see his name or faux-suave’ mug gracing any byline, i immediately turn the page. he is such a sham for the ultra-rich that it’s a wonder any news organization besides fox would hire him. he really just needs to shut the fuck up!
May 8th, 2009 at 6:18 pm
oh, yeah. BUY LOCAL!