Eric and Group, I don't have the time to go through every point, so I will stick to two quick notes:
#1 Eric should check out what the CATO institute and other Libertarian groups have in mind for transportation funding. The Libertarian plan is basically to privatize the road system and charge tolls using new technology. While I have some problems with this approach, at least it puts some power into the hands of the general motoring public where it is currently in the hands of groups like the WTBA. Unfortunately, the Libertarian groups seem to have gotten tangled up with another group: The fuel cell lobby, which itself is a front organization for the petroleum and automotive interests. This is all easy to see if you take a look and the National Strategy to Reduce Congestion that was put out by the Bush administration in 2006. #2 I don't see where kowtowing to the WTBA buys bicyclists anything in the long term. The WTBA (and WisDOT) seem to have this strategy that plays the motor-vehicle alternative groups off each other while the road lobby slowly ratchets up their share of the budget pie. Instead of cowering in fear of the WTBA and getting sucked dry in slow motion, the BFW should be working with the broad array of groups that are obviously threatened by the WTBA. For starters, the BFW should work with the SE Wisconsin folks who just lost their CMAQ funding and push for a budget solution together that works for both groups. - Matt Logan. _______________________________________________ Bikies mailing list [email protected] http://www.danenet.org/mailman/listinfo/bikies
