Why Don’t the 20 Cities on Amazon's HQ2 Shortlist Collectively Bargain?

Re:Why Don’t the 20 Cities on Amazon's HQ2 Shortlist Collect... by refurb on Tuesday January 23, 2018 @03:28PM (#16217335)

Sorry to say, but if a city gives away so much to Amazon that it's a net negative, it's their own dam fault. Maybe they should take some negotiations or financial modeling classes.

Amazon doesn't control the zoning laws, the city does. If housing prices increase, it's the city's fault.

People act like Amazon is some all-powerful entity that can railroad an entity like a city council that has the power to change laws.

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Re:Why Don’t the 20 Cities on Amazon's HQ2 Shortlist Collect... by telchar on Tuesday January 23, 2018 @04:15PM (#16217774)

Your opinion here goes beyond "caveat emptor" right to "vae victus". Although you seem to support the idea of cities bargaining with Amazon here, your statements make a good argument for cities to decline.

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Re:Why Don’t the 20 Cities on Amazon's HQ2 Shortlist Collect... by s73ver_ on Tuesday January 23, 2018 @06:45PM (#16219017)

Yes, the city would be to blame. But so would Amazon. Amazon is run by people who know right from wrong, and are fully capable of taking responsibility for their actions.

Amazon absolutely shares some blame with all of those. You cannot condemn one entity for not having "personal responsibility" and ignore the responsibility the other entities have in contributing to the situation.

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Re:Why Don’t the 20 Cities on Amazon's HQ2 Shortlist Collect... by refurb on Wednesday January 24, 2018 @03:40PM (#16226096)

Let me ask a question - let's say you had an item that you know is only worth $50. However, someone comes to you and offers $100.

Will you refuse to take the $100?

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Re:Why Don’t the 20 Cities on Amazon's HQ2 Shortlist Collect... by bookbinder on Tuesday January 23, 2018 @05:19PM (#16218352)

Are you not familiar with lobbying (aka bribery)?

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