Put ‘the Donald’ on the subway
Environmentalists know, but don’t frequently publicize, that if they are going to be successful in cleaning up the atmosphere the government will need to make it financially painful for the general public to continue their polluting ways.
Case in point is the environmentalists’ backing of a congestion pricing plan proposed by Michael Bloomberg, mayor of New York City. This plan would impose an $8 fee each day an individual drives his or her car into Manhattan, excluding the weekend. The plan’s aim is to force people out of their cars and onto public transportation.
In all likelihood Bloomberg’s plan would work. Paying $8 a day is a considerable cost for the masses such as a doorman or waitress. However, $8 to a Wall Street stock trader or to Donald Trump is chump change. What this plan does is put the working class on buses and subways and allows the wealthy to continue their polluting ways.
A more equitable plan is to bar the operation of all private automobiles, including limos and taxis, within Manhattan. Then, who knows, maybe the next time you’re in New York City you’ll bump into “the Donald” or even George Steinbrenner on the bus.
Mike Hagan, Greeley
I don't have a beef with rich people. Me, your friendly deicide.
Posted by Richard Grimes Risen Ape r22037@yahoo.com (ffrf.org) on May 21, 2007 11:26 AMRichard - I had to look it up, but now I know what a deicide is. Thank you for the vocabulary enrichment.
Mike - Are you kidding? It is not the $8 a day but the cost of gas that will keep the masses out of their cars and on public transportation. Furthermore, even the masses have a choice on how they spend their money. $8/day for driving or $8 on a Happy Meal for the kiddies and a Latte Grande for themselves. Lastly, unless NY is very differant than Denver and RTD (I claim total ignorance hear), the "Donald's" are probably heavily subsidizing the public transportation.
Posted by bjs on May 21, 2007 01:42 PM"A more equitable plan is to bar the operation of all private automobiles, including limos and taxis, within Manhattan. Then, who knows, maybe the next time you’re in New York City you’ll bump into “the Donald” or even George Steinbrenner on the bus.".
Does equitable refer to the cost of implementing and managing this plan?
Can you say the New Jersy Yankees?
Posted by bwr on May 21, 2007 03:04 PMWell, of course, it all depends on whether or not one really cares about what happens in New York City. Doesn't it?
"The Donald" is time wasting nuisance enough on television out here. I can't imagine who would want to have to deal with him riding the subway.
Posted by Old Grouch on May 21, 2007 04:08 PMAgreed OG. Just the Libertarian in me that even caused me to respond. While the passion of the letter writer is admirable, the consequences of cost would be an interesting "train wreck" Keep Donald and George there........Well maybe George could fix the Rockies....
Posted by bwr on May 21, 2007 06:09 PMbwr,
On that last point: Sure wish somebody could!
Posted by Old Grouch on May 21, 2007 08:24 PMDo you think they would trade George for the Monfort Family? But hey Al Davis could do a better job........cant believe I even typed that name
Posted by bwr on May 21, 2007 08:31 PMbwr,
It would be mighty difficult to find someone who could do worse.
But then, I go way back. All the way back to the old Merchants Park Stadium, and the Denver Bears. Won AAA Titles for years. Was even a Yankee Farm Team once. Billy Martin managed here; players like the young Mickey Mantle, Roger Maris . . . Ah! The good old days.
And the Blake Street Bombers - before the bankrupt trucker, who left his employees holding the bag for wages decided HE could run a baseball team. Right into the cellar, he did.
George is something of a kook. But, I kinda wish he were OUR kook. Might even make it worth while to go to Coors Field sometimes.
Posted by Old Grouch on May 22, 2007 08:08 AMYo bjs: No problem; I'll bill you.
"What purpose does the life of a spider have? If a spider doesn't have a purpose, why should we? Of course, we all have our individual purposes, that's quite different. Nowadays, you can say practically anything about Jesus without creating offense--so long as you admit he existed. There was no such person.” -- G.A. Wells, "An Interview with Professor Wells
All gods dwell only in the mind of a human: http://www.geocities.com/r22037/think.html
Me, your friendly deicide capable of killing all gods except her, his god, Mother Nature. And, I suppose a spider has a purpose or my god would not have created it. Yo, bjs