New York Loses Amazon HQ2 Deal

1. 83

   GA Andersonposted 5 years ago

   I am surprised this topic wasn't already addressed.
   
   It appears, (from a variety of news articles and media reports), the consensus, (from public polls), of New York citizens was in support of bringing Amazon to Long Island City.
   
   It also appears that it was the anti-corporation anti-billionaire activists and politicians that scuttled the deal. (the consensus of that mentioned variety of news sources)
   
   Need some details? New York Amazon HQ2 News
   
   Thoughts?
   
   GA

   replyreport
   1. 60

      Randy Godwinposted 5 years agoin reply to this

      I heard the young AOC congresswoman shut the whole thing down? Wow, she must be powerful indeed!

      replyreport
      1. 83

         GA Andersonposted 5 years agoin reply to this

         Now who told you that Randy? Rush or Hannity?
         
         GA

         replyreport
         1. 60

            Randy Godwinposted 5 years agoin reply to this

            I do believe it was both of them, but then, that's "real" fake news, GA!

            replyreport
            1. 83

               GA Andersonposted 5 years agoin reply to this

               Okay. I thought you were going to tell me it was one of your buddy's memes.
               
               GA

               replyreport
               1. 60

                  Randy Godwinposted 5 years agoin reply to this

                  No, I don't trust memes to be accurate like some here.

                  replyreport
                  1. 83

                     GA Andersonposted 5 years agoin reply to this

                     I agree, memes always have an agenda and are almost always inaccurate. But they can be entertaining and useful. Just look at the benefit when one is debunked - truthful information actually gets presented. And look at the pleasure of a chuckle that comes with one like AOC and the electoral college meme.
                     
                     GA

                     replyreport
   2. 0

      promisemposted 5 years agoin reply to this

      It is Amazon's choice whether it has a headquarters in NYC and NYC's choice whether it accepts a headquarters.
      
      Mayor Bill de Blasio's raging is just a politician playing the game.

      replyreport
      1. 83

         GA Andersonposted 5 years agoin reply to this

         I think you are right on both points promisem. I also think the rest of the story, as discussed so far, makes a good discussion opportunity.
         
         Was Amazon an arrogant greedy mega-corp, or were New York's progressive politicians' arrogant un-caring activists?
         
         Most of the articles I read were from New York-based sources and the impression they left with me, was more anti-activists than anti-Amazon.
         
         GA

         replyreport
2. 0

   PrettyPantherposted 5 years ago

   I am not enmeshed in the details of this deal, but I have heard defenses and explanations from both sides.  Personally, I hate to see any city lose such a potentially lucrative deal.  On the other hand, detractors say that Amazon was operating in a particularly bullish, greedy manner compared to other high-tech companies that have located there, such as Google. Apparently, their PR wasn't too hot, either, in that they failed to explain whether or how they would be helping with the already overburdened infrastructure that they would be placing additional pressure on.
   
   Again, I'm not sure about the details.  These are the arguments I have heard from detractors.

   replyreport
   1. 83

      GA Andersonposted 5 years agoin reply to this

      I have also seen those detractor's "bullish and greedy" claims, but none of the articles I followed, (about 10), spoke of any Amazon actions I would see fitting those descriptions.
      
      At best I would say that the various claims that Amazon wasn't prepared to deal with the "tough" style of New York politics were probably the right ones.
      
      It seems that one of the biggest problems, for the anti-Amazon folks was Amazon's refusal to stand back in a hands-off position and let the unions organize their workforce. Amazon did not say they would refuse to allow unionization, they just said they would not agree to not make efforts to counter it. Sounds fair to me.
      
      Maybe that was the "bullish" criticism.
      
      I think the "greedy" accusation was related to the $3 billion incentive package. Which might have been a valid point if not for the fact that the only Amazon-specific incentive in that package was a $500 million grant, (which I also think should have been unnecessary).
      
      As far as I could find the only demand Amazon made was acceptance and support for their new campus and future growth.
      
      As a comparison, their award of S.Carolina HQ involved a total incentive package that was under $600 million. So that $3 billion New York incentive package probably wasn't an Amazon demand.  Although I think the incentive package was the driver for the "greedy" claim, I don't think it is a valid charge.
      
      In all the articles I read, I didn't see any validation for those "bullish and greedy" claims. Unless you view not acquiescing to the union and activist's demands as being "bullish."
      
      I am not sure if the Amazon deal was a good one for the city or not, that infrastructure concern was probably a valid one, but I do support their right to choose not to settle in a hostile environment.
      
      I think New York blew it. Now we will see --in the next election cycle--if the people of New York support the actions of their new, (and old), progressive representatives.
      
      GA

      replyreport
      1. 0

         PrettyPantherposted 5 years agoin reply to this

         Well, I think that maybe there is more to it than some hostility, but I have no factual basis for that opinion, just my personal bias that a corporation is accustomed to hostility and generally bases decisions of this nature on financial gain or loss.

         replyreport
         1. 92

            IslandBitesposted 5 years agoin reply to this

            This article has some interesting points from residents.
            
            https://www.vox.com/the-goods/2019/2/15 … -reactions

            replyreport
            1. 83

               GA Andersonposted 5 years agoin reply to this

               You are right Islandbites, it does highlight some interesting points. The one that seems applicable to both pro and anti-Amazon folks is the complaint that the deal and the incentives package were structured behind closed doors. It seems that this problem can be laid solely at Cuomo's feet.
               
               I also agree that the infrastructure and neighborhood impact details should have been an important thing to address in public hearings. As it stands, no stories provide any information on Amazon's position on those things. They may have been non-caring, or they may have been willing to discuss those issues. I haven't been able to find their stance on them.
               
               I wonder how your link's author's point of view squares with the cited public surveys that showed Long Island City residents 3 to 1 in favor of the deal?
               
               GA

               replyreport