In a message dated 8/9/03 2:20:14 PM Pacific Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
<< It was written here, that "Mayor Rybak evidently responded that public money wouldn't be provided for private businesses" when asked by the president of the cabdrivers association to subsidize cameras for taxi cabs. The writer suggested that it's "rather heartless and hypocritical of him to deny surveillance cameras for Minneapolis cab drivers, many of whom are African immigrants struggling to make a better life for themselves and their families." The cab drivers are independent business people, they own and lease their cabs. I don't think the city should be in the business of providing subsidies to businesses. Tragic as it is, we occasionally see someone murdered while at work. Do we send subsidies to every type of business where someone has gotten killed? If we subsidize, where do we get the money? >> Keith says; Regulated fares, like rent control, make the cab driver business far from independent. Prices are not market driven, are they? "I don't need know stinken' batches" (from a movie, folks) of subsidies. All I need is to raise the base fares allowed to be charged and require the safety improvements. Even without the improvements being required; fares should be allowed UP. They are to low. In fact, I believe they are expoitive of the drivers and force them to work twelve or more hours a day to pay the bills. Since most of the drivers are black immigrants; there appears a racial exploitation equation in play. Since most cabbies rent there vehicles from others, I am not sure that enhanced fares would net the drivers more income. Maybe, once again, ownership is the solution. I do believe the low fares guarantee low income in an exploitive environment. I am no labor expert but I know a bargain; fares are too low. Keith Reitman No bleeding heart NearNorth TEMPORARY REMINDER: 1. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. 2. If you don't like what's being discussed here, don't complain - change the subject (Mpls-specific, of course.) ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
