Dear Matt,
I read your link to JS online. That article is my only knowledge and
experience with your question. My answer would begin with the premise
that only Government can construct projects not tied to economic
decisions. The pyramids in Egypt were a good example and FDR's WPA, was
probably for similar reasons. In a voting toss up State like Wisconsin,
for Tommy Thompson to remain in office that long, he both had his ear to
the ground and was basically "bi-partisan." The JS article did not make
your contention that somehow the Governor was against light rail within
the City of Milwaukee and "greater Milwaukee and Norquist" were madly in
favor. It seems they sank much money into studying the question. Since
the light rail would not affect the rest of the State, had the areas
lumped as the seven counties backed the proposal, I would expect the
governor would also have done so. Certainly the State outside Milwaukee
should not have been liable for moneys or should have their overall
transportation moneys be diverted for a Milwaukee meto system. So, why
didn't Norquist go ahead, anyway? Why couldn't they have linked the
system with the major highways like Chicago's NW if getting to --say
Miller Park, Summerfest, or other outer areas was a big thing? Doesn't
it boil down to the problem that when something doesn't make "economic
sense" and is just a convenience or amenity, paid for by "other peoples
money", an awful lot of politics gets involved? Yet it is only the
Government that can bull through such uneconomic projects as the Boston
grand tunnel. Personally I don't wish to fly and always take the
railroad. But I remember back in the 1970s, my Mother would call her
old friends to meet for lunch in the Loop in Chicago, asking they took
the "L" and subway from the NW Side. But they all refused to take
"light rail" even from Irving Park as safety had so deteriorated. And
in the JS article, that topic was also mentioned.
Nevertheless, Government does have the power to put through nearly
anything. We certainly have seen that this past week. Maybe many of
the old rail beds turned to bike lanes should be relayed with tracks,
now there is once again an economic need?
And last, it seems the 6 billion to which you referred, is for all the
highway, bridge, and related infrastructure rebuilding and repair for
"seven counties."
Matt Logan wrote:
Eric,
I was wondering how you felt about the State of Wisconsin's (under
republican control at the time) intrusion into Milwaukee's light rail
project about 15 years ago?
http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=794156
Basically, the state used command and control policies to torpedo light
rail and forced the $6 bil Marquette interchange to be built against the
wishes of Milwaukee County.
- Matt.
-----Original Message-----
From: Eric Westhagen [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sent: Friday, September 26, 2008 11:20 AM
To: Matt Logan; BikiesSubmissions
Subject: Re: [Bikies] Where They Stand: Obama and McCain on
Transportation
Dear Matt Logan,
It comes as no surprise that Democrats embrace Federal and State
intrusion into zoning and worse to create "ideal" living spaces under
the banner of "smart growth."
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