Here’s an op-ed from today’s The Sacramento Bee
I want to express my appreciation for the article about the proposed construction of the downtown arena and my role in opposing the city subsidy (“Tomato-paste mogul helps bankroll arena subsidy fight,” Page A1, Feb. 9). I also want to make clear that my political donations primarily support Libertarian organizations and candidates, not conservative ones.
What makes me a Libertarian is the fact that I don’t believe in coercively imposing my personal beliefs on others or expecting anyone else to subsidize what I personally like to do.
I am fine with this arena being built. Supporting the arena and fighting against the subsidy may seem contradictory; however, I believe the arena can, and very well may, be built without the use of a subsidy. I love basketball; having attended college and most basketball games at UCLA and seen John Wooden’s impact on the sport, its players and fans was truly inspirational.
Just because I oppose the subsidy does not mean I am opposed to the Kings having a new arena. I simply disagree that public funds should be used for this private venture. The justification for spending the taxpayers’ money is that the arena will magically “revitalize” Sacramento; this notion is entirely false. Economically speaking, sports arenas do not, in fact, positively affect a city’s economy. The costs of such a venture are incredibly high and the net benefit is low, if it exists at all.
Read more here: A Libertarian Argument
Yep, tomatoes.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ebfLWAB8bY4
Chris Rufer is in the tomato processing business. He owns one of the largest tomato processing businesses in the country. The video that I posted above was made with the help of Ted Balaker of Reason Magazine and his wife Courtney.
He’s not primarily in the movie/entertainment business. I’d be interested in talking to him if you can put me in touch.
Interesting. I asked a friend of his Friday evening if he was in “the business”, but I was told he is in the tomato (produce) business. This can still be the same guy, and he simply has a few talents. Perhaps I’ll have an opportunity to meet him at the upcomeing CA convention at the end of the month.
Thanks Amy.
Just wanted to chime in and confirm that it is the same Chris Rufer who wrote the article on the arena and produced The Conversation.
Dunno if it is the same Chris Rufer but it would be interesting to know.
Interesting find, Andy!
The above The Conversation should not be confused with this The Conversation.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=csONW-zWFqs
I just saw this video posted at http://www.lewrockwell.com and during the ending credits I noticed the name Chris Rufer, who is listed as the writer and Executive Producer. I assume that it is the same Chris Rufer as mentioned here.
The video is call The Conversation.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yt_q6YR5Ugo
Luckily Chris Rufer has both. Too many people have only one or the other.
“Jill Pyeatt Post authorFebruary 26, 2014 at 1:10 am
I don’t really care if he’s wealthy. He’s smart and wrote an excellent article! I’ll keep mty eyes open for more from him.”
Money makes a huge difference in politics. You can have all of the great ideas in the world, but without money they do not go anywhere.
I don’t really care if he’s wealthy. He’s smart and wrote an excellent article! I’ll keep mty eyes open for more from him.
Good article. Chris Rufer seems like a great guy. I know that he ran for office as a Libertarian Party candidate a couple of times back in the early 1990’s, but I don’t think that he was anywhere near as wealthy then as he is now. I’d like to see him run for office again, and even though he is wealthy, if he decides to run for anything, I’d encourage Libertarians around the country to donate to his campaign.
I don’t know Chris, but someone told me today that he’s the big LP donor from Northern CA that I’ve heard about. I don’t know much about him or donations, though.
Anyone know what Libertarian candidates and organizations Mr. Rufer has supported exactly. If I remember correctly, he was credited for covering LNC Chair Neale’s trip to Russia and Europe last fall, with a recent substantial donation to OAI (not clear how much) and with the $1,000,000 dollar donation announced by Judge Gray (and covered by IPR here:
https://independentpoliticalreport.com/2012/07/lp-vp-judge-gray-announces-1000000-donation
But what are the details of those donations? Anyone know?