David Strom has been very successful in getting the media to publish or broadcast his views. The fact that his ideas don't make sense or (as several people have said) are out of touch with reality doesn't seem to matter except that....
G.R. Anderson's article in CP last week (which he alerted us to) discusses the whole history and politics of those who believe in roads, roads, and more roads, (but no buses or trains). It's troubling to wonder just how much influence Strom has with the Pawlenty administration. And as Laura Waterman Wittstock and others have pointed out, the economics of "giving the poor a car" just does not add up. If the cars are junkers they will constantly have to be replaced and then there is the cost of gas, insurance and maintance. Surely these costs would exceed the funding for public transit. Not only that, more cars on the roads would actually INCREASE congestion...although it might accelerate the funding for the ridiculous fastlanes, that the wealthy would pay to use. Anyway at the risk of promoting Mr. Strom even further... The March 20, 2004 edition of his weekly radio show "Taxpayers League Live!" at 9:00 am on 1280 AM, will feature a discussion of the transit issue between himself and Commissioner Peter McLaughlin. And yes, it is a "call-in" show. Whether or not it's a good idea to draw even more attention to Strom and his views by participating in such a forum is anyone's guess. There are probably better ways to defend the value of our transit system, than arguing with someone who will never change his mind. Madeline Douglass Kingfield (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
