I am an avid reader, have been since I was in elementary school. My current read is “How To Test Negative For Stupid (and why Washington never will),” by Senator John Kennedy.
Senator Kennedy from Louisiana (no relationship to the JFK family) has some qualities that I can definitely relate to. We were once both Democrats, and are now Republicans. We both feel that there is nothing better than good andouille sausage (I make a nice jambalaya), and we both value common sense. Senator Kennedy asserts that there is a lot of “stupid” in Washington, on both sides of the political aisle. I certainly agree with that. That fact was driven home when I read about a bill that two Representatives have introduced.
Representatives Chris Deluzio (Fox Chapel, PA), and Dan Goldman (Manhattan) have introduced the “House Oversight of Ticketed Dining and Onsite Grub” Act.
In other words, the HOTDOG Act. Cute.
Deluzio and Goldman assert that concession prices at sporting and entertainment events are way too high, out of reach of ordinary wage-earners. They want a federal oversight committee to investigate. I suppose this got Deluzio’s attention when it got to the point where it was six bucks for a hot dog at PNC Park, and another fourteen for a beer. Though, being from Fox Chapel, I doubt that such prices would bother him personally.
I am well aware of concession prices at sports and entertainment venues. I remember when Three Rivers Stadium opened, and the concessions were sourced out to an independent company. Suddenly, the cost of a hot dog rivaled the cost of a bleacher seat. Such prices have continued to spiral upward since, and the trend is everywhere. Have you purchased food or drink, or parked, at Beaver Stadium (it’s not “West Shore Home Field”) in recent seasons?
Yes, concession prices at these events are too high. But, don’t you think that legislators have better things to do? Fox Chapelites and Manhattanites, is that why you voted for these guys?
In my mind, the government has no business sticking their nose into this. Our legislators have much more pressing issues to resolve. Moreover, though I agree with the price gouging, I also believe that one can’t mandate what a company is going to charge for goods or services. Besides, I have a much better idea.
You don’t like the price of a hot dog or a beer at PNC Park? Then, don’t buy it! I don’t buy food there, and I am about done with beer purchases. Fear not; I am here to make alternate suggestions.
You need to hit PNC Park on “Dollar Dog Night,” which happens a few times a season. I don’t go to eat hot dogs. I go to watch my nephew scarf down six dogs, which is much more entertaining than watching Oneil Cruz strike out four times. The only thing more entertaining than Dollar Dogs at that ballpark is “Pup Night.” I’ve never attended pup night; I watch it on TV. I love dogs and their antics, but I wouldn’t take one to a ball park. And, I’d rather not step in dog-doo, which they never show on TV, to my chagrin.
If I have Pirate tickets, I like to head to the Steel City early. I stop at the Oakmont Bakery, off Route 28 north of the city. The Oakmont Bakery might be my favorite bakery in all of baked-goods existence. And, you can buy “to-order” sandwiches, on their bread and rolls. All their breakfast sandwiches are seven-fifty or less, and all their lunch sandwiches slip under the ten-buck mark. Plus, I like to grab some cinnamon rolls for breakfast the next morning. A couple of Oakmont cinnamon rolls with my morning coffee can help me forget the angst of watching the Pirate bullpen blow another lead the previous night.
Alternately, you could go down to the Strip District, stock up on Italian specialties, grab a pepperoni roll at Sunseri’s, and such. Better eats, less money.
So, I assert that Representatives Deluzio and Goldman have tested positive for “stupid.” In reality, I am not that naïve. Certainly, they did what they did to remind their constituents how hard they are working in DC on their behalf.
Or maybe, they are trying to introduce socialism to concession prices.
That said, feel free to look up to which political party Deluzio and Goldman subscribe. If you haven’t figured it out already, then you may want to re-read the title of this column.
