Market Driven Bloviation

Killbear: Welcome back to the Killbear Rapport. I'm your host Chris Killbear. Tonight's guest is a senior partner in the architectural firm of Roark, Rand & Treadon. Please welcome Mr. Howard Roark.

Roark: It's a pleasure to be here Chris.

Killbear: Howard, I must say that I'm a bit dismayed by your
appearance. I had assumed that you would be a tall, handsome,
strong-silent type - sort of Gary Cooperesque. But even with those
elevator shoes, you are having a hard time seeing over the desk.

Roark: Well Chris, I like to think that what I lack in physical stature
I make up for with intellectual bloviation.

Killbear: Clearly. So Howard, tell us about the exciting projects you
are working on.

Roark: Recently, I received a commission to design a gleaming glass
skyscraper which will stand as a testament to the power of
uncompromising creative individualism, eschewing the dumbing-down of the
collectivist government bureaucracy.

Killbear: Marvelous. When do you break ground?

Roark: Well, the developer is still awaiting approval of financing. So
far, the city has created a Tax Increment Financing zone for the
project, the county and state have engineered a combined development
appropriation to subsidize the down payment, and Fannie Mae will be
providing the remainder of the financing. The developer will be
providing the usual investment - peanuts.

Killbear: Once again individualism trumps collectivism. What else is
on your plate?

Roark: I've been asked to design a new private high school in Hudson,
Wisconsin. This will be a state-of-the-art facility with top-notch
math, computer and science labs, Carnegie Hall-level arts
accommodations, an Olympic-worthy sports complex, and everything else
needed to help the students prepare for success in the 21st Century.

Killbear: And all provided without expropriation of taxes by the
government.

Roark: Exactly. The total cost of the project is $83.5 million. So
far the capitalist owners have raised nothing, but they have formed
prayer groups to ask God to send a billionaire who will endow them with
the total amount needed. Once the school is up and running, they expect
that tuition will pay the operating costs. It appears that tuition will
run about $17,000 per student per year. This should be reasonably
affordable to most Hudson parents because they will be receiving their
State of Wisconsin Educational Tax Credit of $500 per year.

Killbear: When do you break ground?

Roark: Around the 12th of Never.

Killbear: Howard, have you designed any buildings that have been built?

Roark: Of course. I recently completed the design of a new outhouse
for State Farm Insurance headquarters in Bloomington, Illinois. I won a
design award for the best use of the Mississippi-retro crescent moon
motif.

Killbear: Were the owners pleased with the final structure?

Roark: Very much so. In fact, they are now providing me with a full
salary, family health benefits, pension and 401(k).

Killbear: That's amazing.

Roark: Well, they aren't exactly providing that to me. They are
providing that to my household. But, fortunately, this income provides
sufficient support for my family so that I can bloviate full-time on my
blog.

Killbear: Thanks Howard. Blog on!