Lakers Uplift Economically Depressed L.A.

(CBS)  Everyone loves a parade - but the one for the NBA champion Los Angeles Lakers today was particularly special, reports CBS News correspondent Bill Whitaker.

Despite deficits, budget cuts and layoffs, the City of Angels had a devil-may-care attitude today. Beaten down by recession, but lifted up by the NBA champion L.A. Lakers.

"We take our mind off of what's happening with this whole economic crisis. And together we are brothers and sisters right now," said fan Lisa Barona.

Ricardo Rodriguez brought his son to - finally - see their favorite team.

Rodriguez said he can't afford to go to the games.

"Wish I could," he said. But the parade? "Oh yeah - that's free!"

Paraded through downtown, the Lakers were carried on a wave of euphoria from hundreds of thousands of fans three miles to the Coliseum, where a capacity crowd - some who waited all night - basked in the glow of their conquering heroes.

This almost didn't happen. Facing a $500 million deficit, laid off city workers howled at the thought cash-strapped L.A. would pay $2 million of taxpayers money for services and crowd control for one of the most profitable franchises in sports - despite the fact that Lakers' victory elicited riots Sunday night.

After much hand-wringing, the Lakers coughed up half the money, local billionaires and an Indian casino the rest, saying the city couldn't afford not to celebrate the Lakers.

"There's over a hundred games each season. We estimate it's about $1.5 million generated per game, about $150 million per season," said Jack Kyser of the Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation.

In fact the city estimates today's parade will generate another $15 million.

"We are all going through tough times economically, but we are showing support for the Lakers because all of us have one thing in common," said fan Tony Park.

...And one day to celebrate - when mundane concerns like budget shortfalls seem far away.

[american_11-2009]

California the Golden state, American future, is fast becoming the poster child for an bankrupt third world State!

An unholy alliance of Socialist Democrat politicians, Unions, and Illegal Aliens supporters are feasting at the trough of tax payers paid benefits while taxing & regulating business and the tax paying public into poverty.

The pandering of Left Wing Democrat Politicians to their constituency of Illegal Aliens, open border supporters, and unions are driving business and citizens to other states & countries, while leaving the parasites & welfare leeches in an increasing bankrupt, crime ridden, dysfunctional state!

For years California has ignored economics 101 and imported poverty, Criminals and uneducated Peons from Mexico, which increased Medical, Welfare, Crime, Prison, etc. & adding a estimated 16 billion per year to Calif. State expense to provide for the invading horde of Illegal Aliens while exporting business and educated working tax payers.

Like all Socialist & Marxist States the results have been a astronomical increase in social welfare, schooling, prison cost etc. and a lowing of Living standards, Education standards, Tax receipts & finally Bankruptcy.

Failure to abide by our Constitution against invasion & enforce our Immigration laws and constraints on wages and benefits for public employees will result in turning the Golden State into MexiCalif and the end of the California dream!

The policies of Obama and Wash. DC Democrats are intent on following Calif. policies and are resulting in the same creeping socialist process across American.

Amnesty & Citizenship as a reward for their invasion of the USA, will result in the rest of the USA turned into a Spanish speaking third world cesspool, modeled on Mexico and follow California into a polluted, over populated, Spanish speaking third world Nation of Crime, Corruption, Poverty, Cruelly & Misery!

This will result in a population depending on Welfare and the Democrat party, thus assuring the lock on power for the Socialist Democrat party of the United States of Mexico!

[start99]

I have no problem with the celebrations, yet does ta payers realize their dollars are being spent on this and not the lakers or the players. Makes me sick for the unemployed and see Arnold have not said a thing about it and yet they are in a recession or worse. Wake up Arnold thsi is why your state is loosing its revenue> Taxpayers wake up! If you wonder why CA charges alot for eveerything plus gas thsi is why. Duhhh?

[gravyboat3000]

Burn, L.A., BURN!