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Politics : The Castle -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Neeka who wrote (76)	11/6/2002 4:27:11 PM
From: The Philosopher	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 7936

Contulations on having such distinguished ancestors. We are indebted to those pioneers who braved incredible hardships -- and many of whom died -- to create this state for us to enjoy. I also came from NY, but far more recently, only about a quarter century ago. New York is an interesting city because it is proof that when mass transit goes from where people live to where they want to go, they will use it. I lived in Staten Island and worked on Wall street, and although I did own a car, I never once drove to work. I used public transit every day while the car sat on the street. My father lived in Manhattan for over 20 years in an executive position, and never even owned a car. He commuted to work by bus and subway, he went to shows, he went to parks, he went everywhere by public transit. It can and does work. I happen to love the HOV lanes. My wife and I have to drive through Seattle often to travel to Tacoma, Olympia, and Oregon. We use the lanes and are astonished that so many other people prefer sitting alone in their cars to finding somebody to share their ride with to get there in half the time. I didn't think Prop 51 was well designed, and it certainly wasn't well presented. It had flaws. But so does every single proposal designed by human minds. There is no perfection. I think this was a realistic opportunity to address problems which citizens and businesses both agree are stifling the economy of the region and impacting the quality of life of millions of people. I agree with you that trust in government is low. Locke is not a leader, not a uniter. He doesn't inspire people, he doesn't generate confidence in his ability to lead us to solutions to our problems. I don't know much about the RTA, not being in the Seattle area, but the little I do know is not confidence building. Too much political infighting, too little inspirational leadership. We have fought and won major wars in the time they have been planning and arguing. No argument there. But because the process is failing doesn't mean the problems aren't real, or that the solutions aren't there if the leadership were. When I went to bed, the Monorail was losing. I'm interested to see that that apprarently turned around and it's now winning. If they do win it, I only hope they can find people who can do it right, and do it on schedule, and do it under budget, to give the taxpayers some confidence that this state can do some things right.

To: Neeka who wrote (76)	11/6/2002 4:44:36 PM
From: tejek	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 7936

I really don't remember how many years that I have been paying, through property and sales taxes, for a rapid transit system that hasn't even gotten off of the drawing board. Is it 5-6 years? I voted against the RTA because I live in Woodinville, and Woodinville won't even have access to the proposed system. How many years do I have to fork out money for a project that I will more than likely never use? Why haven't they broken ground for this project? How much more expensive has that project become since it's inception due to delays? Where have the millions of tax revenues gone since the original measure passed? IMO the RTA measure was premature. The originators weren't prepared and it has languished, yet I still pay year after year. Is it any wonder that voter confidence is down? Is it any wonder that voters want a change? Is it any wonder that citizens have lost ALL faith in government? I feel like I've been taken advantage of and have talked to many other people who feel the same. I am a resident of WA state and Seattle as well, but only first generation. ;~(( The complaints you make above are very common with a first time light rail project in a metro area. Typically, the boosters are overly optimistic, and time frames and usage are too short and too high respectively........just like with the proposed monorail project. Worse, most people believe on some level that when the project opens freeway traffic will uncongest miraculously. Let me be the first to say........it ain't going to happen. Light rail is just one of many solutions needed to reduce traffic in a metro area. It has to be a part of a comprehensive plan, and the plan is only as good as the people behind it. Light rail will get built in Seattle initially with a lot of pain. As we become more experienced much like Portland, future lines will be designed and constructed with a lot less trouble. And just for the record, I understand they are very close to breaking ground on the project. What I am trying to say is that IMO there is a taxpayers revolt taking place in Washington, and elsewhere because voters will not tolerate being taken advantage of any longer. Nor will they tolerate the level of pork, poor planning and poor ideas, at the hands of a sometimes inept government, that they have suffered in the past. There are taypayers' revolts 24/7.......no one likes paying taxes. And somehow the benefits are never as good in the mind of the taxpayer as the amount they pay out. <g> Until elected representatives at every level start properly accounting for tax dollars, and until taxpayers SEE positive results, they will continue to defeat tax and spend measures forced on them by special interest groups more interested in their pocket books than providing the services we assume we are buying. Agreed. Same with corporations. ,I>Like my ancestors, if there were a place I could go to escape the choke hold government has had on me I would go, but there isn't, so along with other disenfranchised citizens, I will stay here and fight for what I believe is right. What makes you think going cross country is the only way of showing courage and fortitude? I think building a project like Sound transit's takes major courage and perseverance. The government of the past that said: "trust me, I have your best interest at heart," must come into the 21st century with the mission of convincing me that is so. I agree. BTW according to this report: seattletimes.nwsource.com. the proposal to expand the Monorail is winning. I'm glad for that. This project is the one that should make you afraid, very afraid. ted Enter symbols or keywords for search: QuotesStock TalkChartsNewsPeople Symbol Lookup Subject Titles Only Full Text Go to Top Terms of Use Got a comment, question or suggestion? Contact Silicon Investor.