Tom: some replies to your recent comments . . . "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."
It seems to me that you have taken a side. "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." I think what you have here is a failure to understand the situation. The members on this list are some of the most politically active, engaged citizens in Minneapolis. The forum does not serve necessarily as a way to make grassroots connections. We all know how to get things accomplished. The forum allows us to exchange ideas, and we have done that. Over the course of only a few days, I have collected a myriad on information on the workings of our transportation system. I plan to put that into use by contacting Lt. Gov Carol Molnau and being an advocate for the city of Minneapolis. "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." I sympathize with the Met Council. They're victims of underfunding from the government. My solution is a more long term one: I plan to be an advocate for more transit funding from the state. "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." Well, I guess we ought to just sit on our butts and do nothing for his whole term. This isn't an argument for why our "bashing" is a waste of time, it's an argument for why we shouldn't act. I, for one, do not take such a defeatist attitude. T"he 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 vast 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." Actually, it is precisely because you have so little to do with Minneapolis that I believe you have a moral obligation to support us. If you'd like, I'd be happy to go into more detail, but the essence is this: the city gives up way more in tax money than it takes in, in order to subsidize your lifestyle. Furthermore, the city is a source of non-profit (non taxpaying) institutions that you can enjoy and then get out as fast as possible. If the suburbs are going to be such a drain, I'd hope they could give something back. "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." I haven't been bashing. I've been gathering facts. David Strom likes a good debate, so I'll eventually convince him why he's advocating the wrong things. "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." I'd love to pay for it the same way you pay for your car and house: massive taxpayer subsidies. --Jeff Rosenberg Cedar-Riverside Enjoying the more convenient, economic, environmentally friendly city life -- and paying those who don't. 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
