'Olympics Are A Waste Of Money'

Sky News ^ | August 12, 2008 | By Alex Watts

[JACKRUSSELL]

The Communist regime has spent billions on lavish sports venues, the world's biggest airport terminal, and a huge security operation.

All this while sweatshop conditions are widespread and millions are still homeless after May's deadly earthquake in the region.

Of course, the official line is the country’s 1.3 billion people are delighted that the Games have arrived. 

And the groundswell of pride and nationalist fervour in China is obvious.

But privately there is anger from some that the leadership continues to declare that running a successful Games is its "number one priority".

Speaking on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals, some in the capital told Sky News the money would have been better spent on helping the country's poor.

A 21-year-old student, gazing out across the futuristic cityscape at the "Bird's Nest" centrepiece, said: "It's terrible the money they wasted. 

"Millions of people live and work in terrible conditions, but the government doesn't think of them.

"They have spent our taxes on buildings – and who does it help? It does nothing for the people of this country."

A taxi driver, who has family in the impoverished Guizhou province, said: "It’s all for Beijing – but what about the rest of the country?

"What about those who lost their homes in the earthquake? What about the people who try to feed their families and send their children out to work?"

The estimated £20bn spent on the 29th Olympiad represents nearly £20 for every Chinese citizen – in a country where many survive on £1 a day......

[mnehring]

So, you are just excusing your desire to watch kiddie games on TV as well as your blatant support of our biggest enemy and the world's biggest torturer, I suppose.

I suppose you completely skip war coverage on the news because it is on enemy territory and once in a while, you see enemy troops? How about doing something to support our side.. Heck, I was on the verge of completely boycotting the whole Olympics over the whole Tibet issue, but I would rather sit back, and enjoy our young men and women whoop up on all these other countries and cheer like crazy for those who are representing us.

[stevio]

So the communist population wants more communism. Interesting.

[ThomasThomas]

The Chinese were play with fireworks long before the ChiCom came along.

[Linden1209]

Considering the usual amount of cheating by officials, our country should have its own Olympics and not bother with the world wreck. Everyone’s been saying this for years but it always gets squashed.