Mr. Searles argument that every community is an island and that every island should solve its own problems doesn't work . . . hasn't worked for many generations now. Fact is, rural communities like Waconia Township are far more dependent on the largesse of urban dwellers than urban dwellers are on rural communities!
Listen to this refrain: I don't use public transit so I should not have to pay for it. I don't have kids so I shouldn't pay for schools. I don't use public parks, I shouldn't have to pay for them. I don't use libraries, I shouldn't pay for them. I don't go to this city or town, why should I pay for some service there. No one in my family went to the U of M, why should I have to pay for it. I don't use this particular government agency or service or program, why should I pay for it. In my opinion, this kind of whine is one of the most destructive trends in civic discourse and is far too prevalent today. Everyone on this list I suspect, could quickly identify a dozen things that either local, state, or federal government sponsors and funds that we don't use or we disagree with. Busses ARE a vital service in Minneapolis! Improved county roads are vital to rural townships! If Mr. Searles argument prevails, we will have mediocre bus service in Minneapolis; he will have rutted, broken down roads in Waconia Township - and we will all be worse off! Jim Bernstein Fulton -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Thomas Searles Sent: Wednesday, March 10, 2004 7:57 PM To: 'Minneapolis Issues' Subject: [Mpls] Transit Strike -- What are your answers? Many members on this list have been having a grand time bashing everyone outside of Minneapolis for the Transit strike. The Met Council, the Governor, the Legislature, non-Minneapolis residents, and the Tax Payer's League have been the major targets. I'm not going to take sides in this strike since it is just like gay marriage--it has absolutely no affect on me other than that I am tired of hearing about it. And what good has come from all of this bashing--absolutely nothing. You would better spend your time figuring out a workable solution to the problem. The transit strike is primarily a Minneapolis (and St. Paul) problem. People from the suburbs are taking the regional buses into downtown just fine. Instead of blaming everyone else (and I know how much fun this can be), you need to come up with the resolution. Let me tell you why this bashing is simply a waste of your time. The Met Council: They seem have made up their mind to not offer any additional wages or benefits to the drivers. This is your best bet, but all of the bashing could just make them dig their heels in for a longer fight that no one wins. The Governor: Okay, now how many of you voted for him? Raise your hands. Someone, anyone? Let's say he encourages that all of the driver's demands are met. Now how many of you will vote for him? Maybe one tentative hand is being raised. Maybe another. My point is that Minneapolis hasn't shown him much support and he still is, and will remain, the governor. You need him more than he needs you. The Legislature: See above. Non-Minneapolis Residents: I work in Bloomington. The MTC has nothing to offer me in way of viable transit alternatives unless I wanted to lengthen my commute by a factor of 3 in both time and miles. In fact, Minneapolis has nothing tangible to offer me. I only go inside the Minneapolis city limits a few times per year and I easily could do without that. Brutal statements I know, but this is true for the vaste majority of Minnesota residents outside of Minneapolis.You may not like to hear this, but the world for most citizens of this state does not revolve around Minneapolis. They do not go to Minneapolis, they go to "The Cities". They are not going to support having their taxes raised to provide transportation alternatives for you. It's not that they don't like you--they just don't care. Don't believe me? Check some of the local papers online. I doubt you will find much about the transit strike. The Tax Payer's League: It is an advocacy group and it is not your advocacy group. They like it when you bash them. You simply encourage them. It is time for you, the citizens of Minneapolis, to figure out how to pay for that mass transportation system you so dearly want. I sincerely wish you the best of luck. Tom Searles Waconia Twp. 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 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
