In a message dated 12/1/03 8:42:34 AM Pacific Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
<< Of particular concern in addition to the issues raised by Annie and Mike is the Council's reliance on "market forces" to address the affordable housing issue, and the lack of support for rail transit--particularly support of the North Star commuter line from Minneapolis to St. Cloud. In addition to testifying at the hearings, people interested in weighing in can comment in writing. (Details on the Met Council web site, www.metrocouncil.org.) Frank Hornstein State Representative District 60B Southwest Minnneapolis >> Keith says: Frank, did you say that a government agency is proposing to rely "on market forces to address the affordable housing issue" ? My God, (excuse me I mean a call to a higher power), how can we possibly allow the market place to gauge the need for new housing construction? And then b-b-b-uild it!! Can't happen. We won't stand around for this. Actually, as we see by the huge vacancy rates in the rental market now: There is NO housing shortage. There may be a money shortage. As proposed by others in the past, subsidizing builders, particularly Non-Profiteers, and making them rich AND subsidizing renters, and keeping them poor- is not a sustainable solution. And it is 100% meddling in, and against, the private sector. At the VERY most, the subsidies should be, as in Section 8: A portable (mobile; stays with the renter as the renter moves) subsidy, that a renter can utilize to enhance a freedom of choice, in the market place. Perhaps, big government should nurture programs to empower individuals to gain home ownership. That is, ownership of homes privately built. Or mildy assist access to used homes made available when other, more self sufficient individuals, move up into greater homes. One goal to which big government should always aspire is: Be the LEAST disruptive of the free market place, and attempt to trust it the most. Let it work!! I offer a similar degree of caution for the proposed North Star Rail Line. Maybe a bus route should be created along the Proposed Rail line; just to see if anybody is interested in a ride DT. Or maybe for as long as there is a MARKET for it. Further, some politicians already played a bait and switch with black folks in the hood (Northside) by offering a rail station at Broadway St. and Central, and then moving it toward DT. This reduced the potential for reverse commute to suburban jobs. It made the requisite huge rail subsidies more blatant 'welfare' for suburbanite sprawlers. I think I support the Met Council, now. And welcome the new blood over there. I clearly recall the years your beloved Ted Mondale slept on West Broadway, was a bully to outer tier suburbs, and garnered, by any means necessary, stealth subsidies for the Hiawatha Boondoggle Line. The tracks are lined with gold. Enough is enough. Good riddance. Keith Reitman NearNorth REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ 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
