Monday, July 9, 2012

Talk Radio Continuing One-Sided Transportation 'Debate'

Charlie Sykes took another kick at rail again this morning - - one hook is the California train that is moving ahead with a generous contribution from Wisconsin - - and callers complained that trains don't pay for themselves.

And complained that some taxpayers who do not use trains have to contribute to train operations and construction.

What road pays for itself? I-94? I-43?

But through federal funding - - like the train money forfeited by Walker to California - - taxpayers from far away help pay to build, operate, and repair Wisconsin roads, too.

As do Wisconsin residents who do not drive, because gas taxes do not cover all road costs, which are supplemented with state income and local property taxes that also pay for patrol and plowing operations, too.

Any discussion of these realities?

If pay-as-you-go/turn-a-profit is the standard the right wants for trains, should tolls do the same for roads?

Can we rationalize this one-sided conversation built on a double-standard?

Nope.


3 comments:

Democurmudgeon said...

All excellent points, which Republicans will never bring up for their low information voters. If we had to build highways now, it wouldn't happen.

TRAIN LOVER said...

Funny Sykes is brining that up. It appears his buttons are being pushed. Who might be pushing those buttons?

Anonymous said...

Yea, Train Lover, my point exactly. These talk radio trolls and their right-wing legislative toadies "killed the train" as they like to boast. So why keep on about it?