[Mpls] Attn Twin Cities: Work Up A Sweat For Global Warming!

[Bob GUSTAFSON]

In defense of our fearless leader, who of course needs no help but I offer it anyways, I believe Andy raises a good question, but one that Dave has already clearly answered. Andy asks of David, "So, David, Hennepin County is not Minneapolis? Would you insulate your list from information that is absolutely germane to their health? ...Since when did Minneapolis become an island unto itself, its issues completely without influence from entities outside its immediate borders."   I don't believe David could have made it more clear than his comment that "Decisions by Minneapolis city government are always ok to discuss here, as are Hennepin County decisions about Minneapolis..."   That said, Andy raises that difficult topic of pollution. If our neighbors kick out the smoke, but we have to breath it, how do we discuss that? I believe that the normal perception of many outside the city of Minneapolis is that we discuss it by whining a lot. Whining and threatening, promising that the world is coming to an end, are probably not very effective ways to deal with government entities outside of Minneapolis. In this vein it might even be considered excessive by many people to hear Andy's claim that the State of Minnesota and local governments are refusing "to stop the polluters from killing us." This probably is not the most effective way to begin a proper discourse with our neighbors in the state.   There are some interesting ways that I believe we in Minneapolis can deal with our suburban neighbors as well as our state government if we are more willing to look at the positions held by them, try to analyze their needs and desires without voicing vitriolic claims that imply they are knowingly trying to kill us off to preserve some corporations bottom line.   Take as an example traffic within our city. Minnesota is a net exporter of more goods than we import. (Not a Minneapolis Issue=NMI). I read on the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce site that $350 billion dollars of goods move through Minnesota each year (NMI). A good portion of this increased road traffic eventually passes through Minneapolis (MI). The US Department of Transportation estimates traffic delay hours in the Twin Cities rose from 70,000 hours in 1986 to 105,000 hours in 1990. (NMI) This equals 2,625 employees each working a 40 hour week. Assuming an average income of just $20,000 that equals $52.5 million dollars of lost profits. (NMI)   Now I realize that there are many people that don't really give a hoot about profits, except to think that they are evil and something to be distained. (NMI) But there are those of us, even in Minneapolis, who understand that profit is not a four letter word. So how do we tie Minneapolis issues in with the loss of profits by state business due to traffic delays? (MINNEAPOLIS ISSUE!!!) Instead of arguing that everyone could create a cleaner environment by transferring all goods onto bicycle powered freight carriers (can rickshaws make a comeback?) while transiting Minneapolis, perhaps we could begin by recognizing that business owners would be willing to either pay or support taxes to diminish traffic delays.    Why would we want to help businesses make profit? Their motivation for paying to reduce traffic congestion  might vary from our more enlightened and socialistic views in Minneapolis, but instead of telling them their reasoning is wrong, lets try to see if we might share some goals. I know most people in Minneapolis hate the thought of increasing roadways just to service the people that don't live here, but if we make the roads more efficient and reduce traffic delays, think of what we can gain. Those nasty suburbanites for one thing will not be emitting as much pollution from their SUV's while they are stuck in traffic jams within our city.   I would love to take the concept further but I've got to get back to cleaning the house. The family is coming over tomorrow and we will have quite the crowd.   Some are coming from the suburbs. I'll tell them to wear respirators, and request they ride their bikes if possible.   I suspect I will be ignored.   Happy Easter (to those for whom it applies) Happy Spring type weekend (to all)   Bob Gustafson 13th