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Amazon Plans to Split HQ2 Evenly Between Two Cities

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Re: Amazon Plans to Split HQ2 Evenly Between Two Cities

#211

Post by vernie »

standerman wrote: post #79
dmode wrote: post #56

Amazon is playing cities like chump. I had a sense in the beginning of this process that Amazon doesn’t really want to build a HQ2. They just want to open another office. Most large tech companies have large campuses across multiple cities. This exercise is no different than that. But Bezos branded it HQ2 to maximize handout. I also predict that they will end up hiring far less than the 25k projected. There is a rece…

"There is a recession coming in the near future, which could result in Amazon looking for cheaper developers globally." It's dangerous to post speculative things with such certainty. The future is never guaranteed.

What's the danger?

Re: Amazon Plans to Split HQ2 Evenly Between Two Cities

#212

Post by bobthepanda »

yourbandsucks wrote: post #197
bobthepanda wrote: post #195

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Homophobia didn't end with gay marriage. Sexuality is not a federally protected class in housing, employment, services, etc. What good is the fancy new headquarters and the six figure job if you can just get evicted on a moment's notice because of your sexuality, or if you can just get your face bashed in at the bar on a night out with your friends? http://www.keranews.org/post/how-texas-does-or-doesnt-deal-l... If y…

Homophobia went from the mainstream view to a tiny fringe in 20 years. Even Trump isn't homophobic. And even California is home to a fringe. What's the end game for "I refuse to deal with those people"? Permanent 60 R senators? If you wouldn't live there, who should?

> Even Trump isn't homophobic.

This is a bunch of malarkey. For a person who's supposedly not homophobic, he's appointed a lot of homophobic judges, has a homophobic Attorney General, is gutting a lot of executive orders and regulations on homophobia in the workplace, etc. And this is before we get into anything transgender. https://www.advocate.com/politics/2017/11/09/trumps-14-most-...

Re: Amazon Plans to Split HQ2 Evenly Between Two Cities

#213

Post by yourbandsucks »

bobthepanda wrote: post #212
yourbandsucks wrote: post #197

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Homophobia went from the mainstream view to a tiny fringe in 20 years. Even Trump isn't homophobic. And even California is home to a fringe. What's the end game for "I refuse to deal with those people"? Permanent 60 R senators? If you wouldn't live there, who should?

> Even Trump isn't homophobic. This is a bunch of malarkey. For a person who's supposedly not homophobic, he's appointed a lot of homophobic judges, has a homophobic Attorney General, is gutting a lot of executive orders and regulations on homophobia in the workplace, etc. And this is before we get into anything transgender. https://www.advocate.com/politics/2017/11/09/trumps-14-most-...

Way to miss the point.

Re: Amazon Plans to Split HQ2 Evenly Between Two Cities

#214

Post by r00fus »

untog wrote: post #141
jimjansen wrote: post #101

Earlier quoted context omitted.

So Amazon should only be allowed to have large offices in Blue states? What dangerous thinking.

Not really, just the definition of "pro-business" is changing. It used to be that all you needed to do was slash a few taxes and you were a pro-business state. These days businesses are looking to be located in areas where their employees will feel safe and welcomed, which excludes states that fight against gay marriage, for example. I don't really see the argument that businesses choosing location based on taxes is…

> These days businesses are looking to be located in areas where their employees will feel safe and welcomed, which excludes states that fight against gay marriage, for example.

This. Gay marriage is a good litmus test if you're a minority of any kind trying not to get discriminated against or shot.

Re: Amazon Plans to Split HQ2 Evenly Between Two Cities

#215

Post by mratzloff »

standerman wrote: post #79
dmode wrote: post #56

Amazon is playing cities like chump. I had a sense in the beginning of this process that Amazon doesn’t really want to build a HQ2. They just want to open another office. Most large tech companies have large campuses across multiple cities. This exercise is no different than that. But Bezos branded it HQ2 to maximize handout. I also predict that they will end up hiring far less than the 25k projected. There is a rece…

"There is a recession coming in the near future, which could result in Amazon looking for cheaper developers globally." It's dangerous to post speculative things with such certainty. The future is never guaranteed.

Thank goodness you said that. I thought we had a time traveler among us, but then I read your comment! Luckily I was able to cancel the sell order I issued in a panic.

Re: Amazon Plans to Split HQ2 Evenly Between Two Cities

#216

Post by danans »

jdeibele wrote: post #97
randyrand wrote: post #73

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I wish all cities competed for residents in this way. I think it would drastically improve our government if there was an actually significant risk of people leaving when the government messed up.

Wow, you and I couldn't see things more differently. Sports teams are doing this to cities constantly. Build us a new sports stadium at your expense that will be used 8-10 times a year. We'll take the concession revenue, the parking revenue, etc. Maybe we'll let you have a tax on food. Maybe we'll move away before the city is done paying for the stadium. See St. Louis and the Rams. It's rare that a city like San Dieg…

> It's rare that a city like San Diego refuses to buckle under.

While we're listing these cities, we should add Oakland to the list.

Re: Amazon Plans to Split HQ2 Evenly Between Two Cities

#218

Post by danans »

southphillyman wrote: post #119
johan_larson wrote: post #85

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It has happened. Remember White Flight?

Are you referring to the GI Bills that allowed flight to new suburban developments or something else?

White flight refers to white residents (and usually with it, investment) leaving racially-mixed American cities for the racially homogeneous suburbs en-masse during the civil rights movement and the race-riots that occurred in major cities toward the end of that era.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_flight

Re: Amazon Plans to Split HQ2 Evenly Between Two Cities

#219

Post by goshx »

whb07 wrote: post #153
sergiotapia wrote: post #99

Hope it comes down here to Miami. Imagine the talent pool! Easy access to south american engineers

There’s very little “talent” native to Miami. As far as S.A engineers that’s also probably a tough one...I mean staffing a HQ with foreigners is a tough sell, don’t you think? If anything Miami is still alluring to those across the US for warm weather, no income tax, and tanned guys/gals (or both?!). The Miami economy still is dominated by tourism and real estate unfortunately!

No income tax?

Re: Amazon Plans to Split HQ2 Evenly Between Two Cities

#220

Post by fwip »

randyrand wrote: post #73
dpflan wrote: post #36

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I suspect you are correct; this is a way to make the two cities compete to please / to accommodate / to benefit Amazon and get the headlines that they are Amazon's choice for X, Y, Z reason. Amazon's gravity is quite strong, and its tactics very honed.

I wish all cities competed for residents in this way. I think it would drastically improve our government if there was an actually significant risk of people leaving when the government messed up.

Amazon isn't a resident.
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