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tpohara's comments:
on Canary in the Economic Coal Mine
Well, the latte went the way of the dodo in my budget years ago, I can get a month's caffiene in a bottle of Vivarin or Jet Alert for less than I used to spend in a day at Tully's or SBC.
No, the way I measure how tight things are is if I can afford to have meat in my noodles two or three nights a week or must I keep to the splash of olive oil, garlic, salt, and pepper? On the really tight weeks, it is the 3 or 2 limit; do I get to have 3 packages of ramen or just stick to two?
For me, the canary is how little garbage there is to haul (my normal work is running loads from a transfer station to a dump)... there is a lot less of it than anyone working now can remember, definitely way down from seasonal expectations. Mind you, less trash is a good thing overall, but it seems that it?s more from less consumption than greater recycling. Probably good choices overall as folks see the difference between real needs and ?really wants?... it?s just a wee bit of a challenge when work depends on taking out the trash.
No, the way I measure how tight things are is if I can afford to have meat in my noodles two or three nights a week or must I keep to the splash of olive oil, garlic, salt, and pepper? On the really tight weeks, it is the 3 or 2 limit; do I get to have 3 packages of ramen or just stick to two?
For me, the canary is how little garbage there is to haul (my normal work is running loads from a transfer station to a dump)... there is a lot less of it than anyone working now can remember, definitely way down from seasonal expectations. Mind you, less trash is a good thing overall, but it seems that it?s more from less consumption than greater recycling. Probably good choices overall as folks see the difference between real needs and ?really wants?... it?s just a wee bit of a challenge when work depends on taking out the trash.
posted 4 years, 7 months ago
view in context
on Candidate Conversation: U.S. Congress 5th District
Unlike the show yesterday where I wish the Senator would have shown up, I could care less about Mr. Erickson attending this one; his current "pro-life" position is so obviously politically motivated and laden with hypocrisy that I wouldn?t vote for him if he were the only person in the race.
I have no sympathy for either of the main party candidates for my district (yes, I live in the fifth) and neither got my vote.
I think Emily and Dave did as well as could be expected yesterday; I do understand the editorial decision, but it was still something distantly akin to torture enduring Mr. Merkley solo. Honestly, I?ll skip this morning?s show... but having already voted (and not for this person) it seems a bit foolish to endure another politician with whom I have issues...
I have no sympathy for either of the main party candidates for my district (yes, I live in the fifth) and neither got my vote.
I think Emily and Dave did as well as could be expected yesterday; I do understand the editorial decision, but it was still something distantly akin to torture enduring Mr. Merkley solo. Honestly, I?ll skip this morning?s show... but having already voted (and not for this person) it seems a bit foolish to endure another politician with whom I have issues...
posted 4 years, 7 months ago
view in context
on Candidate Conversation: U.S. Senator
On the off chance that someone from close enough to the Senator actually does drift by here before the show goes on, I want to encourage him to reconsider. Rather than address this nebulously, let me hope this is seen by such a person.
Senator Smith:
I ask you to reconsider and participate in the Think Out Loud program about your reelection. I have already voted for you, so it won?t change my mind, but I think you may have listened to bad advice or opinions about this show. Contrary to the norm for NPR or the national programs OPB carries, the radio broadcast of TOL has consistently tried to be fair and balanced.
Let me give you an example: you can check back in the archives for their show on abortion. As a pro-life Evangelical, I have NEVER heard such an even handling of the topic on any station, much less in the socially liberal elitist programming handed out by NPR. Emily and Dave both have shown both a willingness and a significant talent in acting as objective reporters on hot topics; ones where few others have even come close.
TOL does not represent the normal presumptive bias of shows like ?Talk of the Nation? or ?Fresh Air?; I can pretty much guarantee that the on-air presentation will be fair and balanced if you chose to overcome your concerns and take the time to participate. I make no pretense that you?ll be happy with the online environment (it is unmoderated and many of the folks who choose to come here and participate are at best hostile to you), but you won?t reach nearly as many folks who might otherwise vote Constitution as you could here (there are a lot of conservatives and moderates who listen to TOL, we know the staff at least tries to be even handed on-air about things that matter). Please reconsider. Thanks.
Senator Smith:
I ask you to reconsider and participate in the Think Out Loud program about your reelection. I have already voted for you, so it won?t change my mind, but I think you may have listened to bad advice or opinions about this show. Contrary to the norm for NPR or the national programs OPB carries, the radio broadcast of TOL has consistently tried to be fair and balanced.
Let me give you an example: you can check back in the archives for their show on abortion. As a pro-life Evangelical, I have NEVER heard such an even handling of the topic on any station, much less in the socially liberal elitist programming handed out by NPR. Emily and Dave both have shown both a willingness and a significant talent in acting as objective reporters on hot topics; ones where few others have even come close.
TOL does not represent the normal presumptive bias of shows like ?Talk of the Nation? or ?Fresh Air?; I can pretty much guarantee that the on-air presentation will be fair and balanced if you chose to overcome your concerns and take the time to participate. I make no pretense that you?ll be happy with the online environment (it is unmoderated and many of the folks who choose to come here and participate are at best hostile to you), but you won?t reach nearly as many folks who might otherwise vote Constitution as you could here (there are a lot of conservatives and moderates who listen to TOL, we know the staff at least tries to be even handed on-air about things that matter). Please reconsider. Thanks.
posted 4 years, 7 months ago
view in context
on Measures 57 and 61: Crime and Punishment
I've voted yes on 57 and no on 61.
Want my opinion on why I went this way?
57 gives more options while still recognizing that crimes like destroying someone's financial life are not a joke... 61 strikes me as more rigid overkill.
Doing nothing is not an option.
As for the position that mandatary minimums are a deterrent, I doubt it. Instead, they are a consequence that reduces a convicted criminal's freedom. Consider these measures a social insistence to prevent lenient legislating judges from encouraging the perps into continuing to victimize Oregon's poor and working folk.
Want my opinion on why I went this way?
57 gives more options while still recognizing that crimes like destroying someone's financial life are not a joke... 61 strikes me as more rigid overkill.
Doing nothing is not an option.
As for the position that mandatary minimums are a deterrent, I doubt it. Instead, they are a consequence that reduces a convicted criminal's freedom. Consider these measures a social insistence to prevent lenient legislating judges from encouraging the perps into continuing to victimize Oregon's poor and working folk.
posted 4 years, 7 months ago
view in context
on Presidential Candidates Face Off
My ballot has been filled out on all but the Presidential race since the day before the first debate (I'm a driver and get the early mailing of ballots to keep from missing elections when I happen to be OTR), but while my wife keeps asking who I'm voting for or even lean towards, I'm still on the fence.
McCain is prolife, but the majority of the rest of his ideas are at best questionable.
Obama clearly won't defend the most helpless Americans, so how can I trust him? Is he able to lead on other issues or just be another Slick Willie who says what he needs to get elected and then does whatever he and the ultra-left congressional leaders want?
Both sides seem to have pushed into such negative ground that I'm flat dismayed at what it continues to say about what a person has to be (or become) these days to hold the highest office in our country. Why are our expectations so low?
So I?m still undecided. I'm so far down the list of tiebreakers that even the '63 NY riots are on my sheet (that would be the 1863 Irish riots against black emancipation in NY... very ugly bit in my people?s history, that).
(sigh) If the vote were held today and I had to do something, I would probably write-in Alan Keyes. As it is, I?m still waiting for something to push me over the edge in one direction or another.
McCain is prolife, but the majority of the rest of his ideas are at best questionable.
Obama clearly won't defend the most helpless Americans, so how can I trust him? Is he able to lead on other issues or just be another Slick Willie who says what he needs to get elected and then does whatever he and the ultra-left congressional leaders want?
Both sides seem to have pushed into such negative ground that I'm flat dismayed at what it continues to say about what a person has to be (or become) these days to hold the highest office in our country. Why are our expectations so low?
So I?m still undecided. I'm so far down the list of tiebreakers that even the '63 NY riots are on my sheet (that would be the 1863 Irish riots against black emancipation in NY... very ugly bit in my people?s history, that).
(sigh) If the vote were held today and I had to do something, I would probably write-in Alan Keyes. As it is, I?m still waiting for something to push me over the edge in one direction or another.
posted 4 years, 8 months ago
view in context
on
I've shot the gorge in 4x5 and smaller formats, as well as done a lot of tape in places like Oneonta Gorge (the falls you can't see from the road are the best, it's just a bear getting there with a load of gear).
Wind in the field is the chief enemy of the larger formats and slower processes, rare are the days when the river is calm enough to reflect or the trees and flowers still enough to do closeup. More often the oldest plates' water subjects reflect some (Jackson-esque) because of the incredible times needed in the exposures. B&W has no reciprocity problems and one of the real secrets there is not only the negative but in its printing (as Adams said, think of the neg as the score and the print as the symphonic performance). There are times I envy the slowness of the early emulsions, just not the nightmare of carting the glass and chemicals around.
BTW, you might ask your guest what format the frame you posted on the site used, if it is a sheet loaded one, it might give them a good lead in for explaining what was involved in getting a shot pre-SLR.
Wind in the field is the chief enemy of the larger formats and slower processes, rare are the days when the river is calm enough to reflect or the trees and flowers still enough to do closeup. More often the oldest plates' water subjects reflect some (Jackson-esque) because of the incredible times needed in the exposures. B&W has no reciprocity problems and one of the real secrets there is not only the negative but in its printing (as Adams said, think of the neg as the score and the print as the symphonic performance). There are times I envy the slowness of the early emulsions, just not the nightmare of carting the glass and chemicals around.
BTW, you might ask your guest what format the frame you posted on the site used, if it is a sheet loaded one, it might give them a good lead in for explaining what was involved in getting a shot pre-SLR.
posted 4 years, 8 months ago
view in context
on Banking In the Bailout Days
Yup, I concur with the sentiments above. Try your CU, they are competent at evaluating loan qualifications and personable with real folks...
posted 4 years, 8 months ago
view in context
on Opera's New Day
I do have some suggestions, but it may be worth putting my opinion into context first.
Ok, I can still remember my formative years hearing the Texaco Star Theater present opera on the radio... me mum enjoyed it, though she could never say why. I, however, have perpetually ranked it at the absolute bottom of my musical interests... with a notable exception.
I was a freelance cameraman brought in to help record the Olympia, Washington presentation of ?Carmen? several years back. The night of the dress rehearsal, we were in laying cable before they started, but when they actually began, we watched the performance (ostensibly as another part of pre-production, so we would know what was happening when the director called for our camera to be ready on a given shot).
I found it rather odd that a play set in Spain was in French, but I realized that I actually already knew the tunes to almost every major song. It was actually rather fun just sitting there in work clothes listening and watching, even though I had little clue what they were actually saying. The colors and the action and the main production numbers overrode the fact that my last French was in ninth grade (and I didn?t remember enough of that to understand more than a few words). The production nights were not nearly as much fun, but then again, I?m a professional when I?m working and my focus was on the production.
Therein is the core of my suggestion:
Continue to allow the folks who are big into the fanciness or the ?purity? of the art form to have their nights, but allow for a relaxed atmosphere dress rehearsal style showing where folks can come for next to nothing (say a donation to the old opera singers home or some such), wearing what they are comfortable in. Don?t call it a matinee, say up front that it is a discounted presentation of the dress rehearsal. If you add to it by having someone at the front of the audience explain what is happening, so much the better... if its dress rehearsal night, no one should be getting their garments in a knot over the addition or any adjustments going on.
The idea is to get people in the door to discover that they might just enjoy opera. Didn?t Mozart do operas for the common folk too? Just like Shakespear would have expected relatively normal working (read ?lower?) class folks to come and participate, some of opera?s roots seem to be from similar lines... perhaps it?s time to let it return to those roots.
Would I ever intentionally go to one of those upper crust and pretenders nights at the opera? Has hell frozen over? Would I welcome being a working part of another production team taping/filming one? Sure. Would I consider going to something like Phantom if it cost less than a movie and I didn?t have to dress in the most uncomfortable clothes I own? Maybe...
Ok, I can still remember my formative years hearing the Texaco Star Theater present opera on the radio... me mum enjoyed it, though she could never say why. I, however, have perpetually ranked it at the absolute bottom of my musical interests... with a notable exception.
I was a freelance cameraman brought in to help record the Olympia, Washington presentation of ?Carmen? several years back. The night of the dress rehearsal, we were in laying cable before they started, but when they actually began, we watched the performance (ostensibly as another part of pre-production, so we would know what was happening when the director called for our camera to be ready on a given shot).
I found it rather odd that a play set in Spain was in French, but I realized that I actually already knew the tunes to almost every major song. It was actually rather fun just sitting there in work clothes listening and watching, even though I had little clue what they were actually saying. The colors and the action and the main production numbers overrode the fact that my last French was in ninth grade (and I didn?t remember enough of that to understand more than a few words). The production nights were not nearly as much fun, but then again, I?m a professional when I?m working and my focus was on the production.
Therein is the core of my suggestion:
Continue to allow the folks who are big into the fanciness or the ?purity? of the art form to have their nights, but allow for a relaxed atmosphere dress rehearsal style showing where folks can come for next to nothing (say a donation to the old opera singers home or some such), wearing what they are comfortable in. Don?t call it a matinee, say up front that it is a discounted presentation of the dress rehearsal. If you add to it by having someone at the front of the audience explain what is happening, so much the better... if its dress rehearsal night, no one should be getting their garments in a knot over the addition or any adjustments going on.
The idea is to get people in the door to discover that they might just enjoy opera. Didn?t Mozart do operas for the common folk too? Just like Shakespear would have expected relatively normal working (read ?lower?) class folks to come and participate, some of opera?s roots seem to be from similar lines... perhaps it?s time to let it return to those roots.
Would I ever intentionally go to one of those upper crust and pretenders nights at the opera? Has hell frozen over? Would I welcome being a working part of another production team taping/filming one? Sure. Would I consider going to something like Phantom if it cost less than a movie and I didn?t have to dress in the most uncomfortable clothes I own? Maybe...
posted 4 years, 8 months ago
view in context
on Time to Bail?
When I gambled that one more job change wouldn't hurt us... we lost almost everything and are still paying the debts. It has impacted our relatives and those we supported, our micro economy, if you will. Our story is not so much different, perhaps that rich uncle in Washington will help us out...
No?
That?s what I think should happen to the folks who have gambled on Wall Street too...
No?
That?s what I think should happen to the folks who have gambled on Wall Street too...
posted 4 years, 8 months ago
view in context
on Cops, Laws and Videotape
I do find it a bit odd that no one is considering a citizen's right (or functional lack there-of) to record video when the officer comes to talk to them.
In other words, if I'm accosted, I have no rights in a ?my word vs his/her word? argument. I can't record video/audio to back me up, but they can (and to my knowledge, I can't subpoena their recording either). Seems a bit of an issue to me.
In other words, if I'm accosted, I have no rights in a ?my word vs his/her word? argument. I can't record video/audio to back me up, but they can (and to my knowledge, I can't subpoena their recording either). Seems a bit of an issue to me.
posted 4 years, 8 months ago
view in context
on As We Are: Abortion Stories
Emily, Dave, and the TOL crew:
You have outdone yourselves with the show today; I consider it not only the best TOL to date, but also the most complete on-air discussion on this topic that I've heard on NPR (imHo, of course).
Shelley, Angi, and Jacqueline:
Thank you all for coming on and sharing so openly and honestly. I, for one, am glad that each of you came and participated.
You have outdone yourselves with the show today; I consider it not only the best TOL to date, but also the most complete on-air discussion on this topic that I've heard on NPR (imHo, of course).
Shelley, Angi, and Jacqueline:
Thank you all for coming on and sharing so openly and honestly. I, for one, am glad that each of you came and participated.
posted 4 years, 9 months ago
view in context
on As We Are: Abortion Stories
Scott:
I would agree that Emily and Dave are generally respectful. Some of us are not, both the phone in side and here online...
Women who have been through this, who are willing to risk sharing honestly, deserve to do so without any of us in this community railing at them. I want to hear what they have to say, both the ones who are the natural audience of this socially liberal station (I think Emily and Dave do a good job at being even handed, but most of the daily NPR shows at best barely pretend at balance) and those whom the TOL staff might invite who are now pro-life (who might already consider this to be a hostile environment). I don?t think a request that we be respectful to be a contradiction, even when we disagree with their interpretations.
The other part you misrepresent here is that most of the folks I know who are pro-life (myself included) consider the woman to be a victim also. Of course, that doesn?t fit with the above expressed world view and we both know it?s not worth my time here to try to convince you or anyone else of that reality. Perhaps that's why some might not understand my plea for compassion from all of us (even those few who might be tempted to scream at them as you presume all on the pro-life side might).
But lets be blunt: should I understand that someone who is crusading again wouldn?t consider making a post-abortion pro-life woman (or even one who admits to uncertainty) feel unwelcome here as has been done to others who fall afoul of the same rather cynical sounding crusading? Is that where this is heading? I must admit that I do hope not. Not much of a community when we can?t even listen to those with whom we disagree...
I would agree that Emily and Dave are generally respectful. Some of us are not, both the phone in side and here online...
Women who have been through this, who are willing to risk sharing honestly, deserve to do so without any of us in this community railing at them. I want to hear what they have to say, both the ones who are the natural audience of this socially liberal station (I think Emily and Dave do a good job at being even handed, but most of the daily NPR shows at best barely pretend at balance) and those whom the TOL staff might invite who are now pro-life (who might already consider this to be a hostile environment). I don?t think a request that we be respectful to be a contradiction, even when we disagree with their interpretations.
The other part you misrepresent here is that most of the folks I know who are pro-life (myself included) consider the woman to be a victim also. Of course, that doesn?t fit with the above expressed world view and we both know it?s not worth my time here to try to convince you or anyone else of that reality. Perhaps that's why some might not understand my plea for compassion from all of us (even those few who might be tempted to scream at them as you presume all on the pro-life side might).
But lets be blunt: should I understand that someone who is crusading again wouldn?t consider making a post-abortion pro-life woman (or even one who admits to uncertainty) feel unwelcome here as has been done to others who fall afoul of the same rather cynical sounding crusading? Is that where this is heading? I must admit that I do hope not. Not much of a community when we can?t even listen to those with whom we disagree...
posted 4 years, 9 months ago
view in context
on As We Are: Abortion Stories
Please, let's agree not to try to grill these women.
Yes. most regulars will know I'm pro-life. But even if I disagree with the guests' conclusions, I would like to set an example and offer a tone of compassion and respect.
I appreciate anyone who will publicly share her experience. In keeping, let me offer a blessing for each of them and all those other women who have gone through this:
May you
find peace filling your heart,
recognize that you are valuable too,
discover freedom from any burden you carry,
and know the One who loves you completely.
Yes. most regulars will know I'm pro-life. But even if I disagree with the guests' conclusions, I would like to set an example and offer a tone of compassion and respect.
I appreciate anyone who will publicly share her experience. In keeping, let me offer a blessing for each of them and all those other women who have gone through this:
May you
find peace filling your heart,
recognize that you are valuable too,
discover freedom from any burden you carry,
and know the One who loves you completely.
posted 4 years, 9 months ago
view in context
on Prostitution Problems
Well said, I agree with most of it... especially the points of opposing exploitation and going after the exploiters first and foremost.
posted 4 years, 9 months ago
view in context
on Measure 65: Open Primary
I?m an independent (position, not Oregon?s poorly named party), so I don?t get to vote for any partisan candidate in the primaries. I?m not even sure I would fight inertia to participate and vote the other issues that are squeezed in on those ballots if I weren?t a mail-in voter. Guess that makes me disenfranchised, doesn?t it?
Problem is, I?m not sure I think it?s fair to any party to have just any folks able to vote on who they should put up for election. That and it would virtually eliminate the chance the rare exceptional individual would have running on his/her own or with a minor party. Please don?t get me wrong, I generally think most of the third party also-ran folks are there solely as protest because they couldn?t win in the mainstream parties, but that is just opinion.
The persons I consider most able to govern have long ago given up on the media circus that make only the most polished (read: most able to cover up their skeletons) into candidates. I would rather have someone who has not only made mistakes but who can both admit to them and explain what they have learned BEFORE running for office; instead, we get the groomed billboards who need on the job training. You know the folks I want to consider: the experienced person that every news person from CNN to the local rag dreams about being able to publicly fry (oops, being cynical again).
Back to the topic at hand, I?m still up in the air about it, but leaning against.
Problem is, I?m not sure I think it?s fair to any party to have just any folks able to vote on who they should put up for election. That and it would virtually eliminate the chance the rare exceptional individual would have running on his/her own or with a minor party. Please don?t get me wrong, I generally think most of the third party also-ran folks are there solely as protest because they couldn?t win in the mainstream parties, but that is just opinion.
The persons I consider most able to govern have long ago given up on the media circus that make only the most polished (read: most able to cover up their skeletons) into candidates. I would rather have someone who has not only made mistakes but who can both admit to them and explain what they have learned BEFORE running for office; instead, we get the groomed billboards who need on the job training. You know the folks I want to consider: the experienced person that every news person from CNN to the local rag dreams about being able to publicly fry (oops, being cynical again).
Back to the topic at hand, I?m still up in the air about it, but leaning against.
posted 4 years, 9 months ago
view in context
on One Last Convention Conversation: Donald Miller
Dave:
Thanks for sharing that. I agree with some of what he said and disagree with other parts. Honestly, I don't see much of a conversation starting on this one, since it will never be on air, so I'll just leave it at that.
Glad you are back safe and sound, Sir.
Thanks for sharing that. I agree with some of what he said and disagree with other parts. Honestly, I don't see much of a conversation starting on this one, since it will never be on air, so I'll just leave it at that.
Glad you are back safe and sound, Sir.
posted 4 years, 9 months ago
view in context
on From the Conventions: The Parties From Afar
I can only speak for myself: no symbolism needed here, Scott.
I wish we could have the debate without pushing the emotional buttons, but there are too many facts that are interpreted through our conflicting basic assumptions about the value (or reality) of life before breath.
I wish we could have the debate without pushing the emotional buttons, but there are too many facts that are interpreted through our conflicting basic assumptions about the value (or reality) of life before breath.
posted 4 years, 9 months ago
view in context
on From the Conventions: The Parties From Afar
Please thank your brother for me for his service. I'm glad he is coming home safe.
posted 4 years, 9 months ago
view in context
on From the Conventions: The Parties From Afar
I'm an independent... not the party here, but what the word actually means. Yes, anyone who visits here regularly can tell you I'm pro-life, but I'm at least a wee bit cynical about how those who have flaunted the title to get my vote have behaved once in office over the past couple of decades.
The conventions have at least confirmed that I'm undecided. Sen. Obama's speech, as a good friend of mine put it, almost had ?echos of Camelot.? Had Sen. McCain not chosen as he did, Sen. Obama might have gotten me solidly on his side. By the same token, Alaska's Governor acquitted herself well when the lights were on and really has kept me in play. Indeed, if the campaign hadn?t put her so quickly into the attack dog role, she would probably have won me over on hopes for the future.
Other than tossing my vote away on a write-in for Alan Keyes, I?m not tempted by any other person or party; I really don?t see them representing any improvement on what the two mainline choices offer.
I've heard much about the different proposals (or lack there-of) and am considering the platforms and whether the candidates are likely to even consider acting on them. I like some of what each side brings, by the same token, I have serious concerns about other stuff I've learned.
If Sen. Obama were pro-life, it would be an easy choice... I could write off the rest of what I find objectionable in his party and his candidacy over something so big combined with what I do like. As it is, I'm stuck and I will have to wait until a tie breaker presents itself.
The conventions have at least confirmed that I'm undecided. Sen. Obama's speech, as a good friend of mine put it, almost had ?echos of Camelot.? Had Sen. McCain not chosen as he did, Sen. Obama might have gotten me solidly on his side. By the same token, Alaska's Governor acquitted herself well when the lights were on and really has kept me in play. Indeed, if the campaign hadn?t put her so quickly into the attack dog role, she would probably have won me over on hopes for the future.
Other than tossing my vote away on a write-in for Alan Keyes, I?m not tempted by any other person or party; I really don?t see them representing any improvement on what the two mainline choices offer.
I've heard much about the different proposals (or lack there-of) and am considering the platforms and whether the candidates are likely to even consider acting on them. I like some of what each side brings, by the same token, I have serious concerns about other stuff I've learned.
If Sen. Obama were pro-life, it would be an easy choice... I could write off the rest of what I find objectionable in his party and his candidacy over something so big combined with what I do like. As it is, I'm stuck and I will have to wait until a tie breaker presents itself.
posted 4 years, 9 months ago
view in context
on From the Conventions: Pain at the Pump
Planning to drill for more oil that won?t be available for seven to ten years isn?t the answer. That said, running the price up to eight to ten bucks a gallon isn?t either. The former is dangerously short sighted, while the latter is elitist at best.
Yes, America loves its cars and should have some way to power them that is better than what we have now, but who is it that suffers when you raise the price? I still see loaded Hummers, Escalades, and Landrovers speeding on the highway... the rich aren?t having problems with it, folks. Want to make the gap between the dwindling hopes to enter the middle class and the wealthy glee at being better off than the rest of us grow? Raise the price then wring your hands at ?gentrification? of working class neighborhoods (actually, the list of ramifications could go on, but I?m about out of time this morning).
And please don?t use Europe as a model without looking at land mass actually covered (only a small fraction of Europe is quite so well connected, the rest get to be peasants tied to their poverty), the population densities of those ?successful? places, their actual other taxes, how many wars they have had in the last century to destroy wasteful older infra-structures, and who it was that paid for them to get rebuilt this last time out (we did).
We need policy that looks ahead, but that considers everyone and treats the poorest fairly.
Yes, America loves its cars and should have some way to power them that is better than what we have now, but who is it that suffers when you raise the price? I still see loaded Hummers, Escalades, and Landrovers speeding on the highway... the rich aren?t having problems with it, folks. Want to make the gap between the dwindling hopes to enter the middle class and the wealthy glee at being better off than the rest of us grow? Raise the price then wring your hands at ?gentrification? of working class neighborhoods (actually, the list of ramifications could go on, but I?m about out of time this morning).
And please don?t use Europe as a model without looking at land mass actually covered (only a small fraction of Europe is quite so well connected, the rest get to be peasants tied to their poverty), the population densities of those ?successful? places, their actual other taxes, how many wars they have had in the last century to destroy wasteful older infra-structures, and who it was that paid for them to get rebuilt this last time out (we did).
We need policy that looks ahead, but that considers everyone and treats the poorest fairly.
posted 4 years, 9 months ago
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