Now that King County voters have clearly told their elected officials that they would like to see Metro get its budget under control rather that raise their taxes, it remains to be seen whether Seattle Mayor Ed Murray and West Seattle’s contribution to the King County Executive’s office, Dow Constantine, will hear the message.
Even as both Murray and Constantine try to figure out how to raise enough taxes to get the support of folks like Socialist city councilor Kshama Sawant and other left-wing enviros, along comes the Washington Policy Center Bob Pishue with a different cure for what ails Metro—cutting costs.
Reducing the size of government instead of just raising taxes, isn’t that heresy in Seattle?
I recently visited poor South Africa. I noted that there was no trouble getting around. There was a plethora of taxis, vans and taxis. They were quite affordable. They did not have a monopolization of their transportation system like we have here.
I rode a bus yesterday and noted only three people on the bus route. In south Africa, there would have been a van readily available. This cuts costs, subsidy and is arguably better for the environment. Additionally, the private owner absorbs the losses or benefits from the profits, not the tax payer.
Why can’t we consider alternative, private options? Competition breeds efficiency and drives down the price while creating opportunities for businesses and individuals.
Perhaps the Eastside could entertain a pilot program that includes licensure that addresses public safety concerns. Just a thought…
I recently visited poor South Africa. I noted that there was no trouble getting around. There was a plethora of taxis, vans and taxis. They were quite affordable. They did not have a monopolization of their transportation system like we have here. nnI rode a bus yesterday and noted only three people on the bus route. In south Africa, there would have been a van readily available. This cuts costs, subsidy and is arguably better for the environment. Additionally, the private owner absorbs the losses or benefits from the profits, not the tax payer.nnWhy can’t we consider alternative, private options? Competition breeds efficiency and drives down the price while creating opportunities for businesses and individuals.nnPerhaps the Eastside could entertain a pilot program that includes licensure that addresses public safety concerns. Just a thought…
So, you “feel” having both vans & buses available is more efficient ?
Seattle liberals are no different from the ones in Olympia… they are genetically incapable of considering anything as sensible as cutting costs. raising taxes is the first and only thing they can think of when money gets tight… and after all, they have millions of ambulatory ATMs (read: mostly unwilling citizens) from whom to extort more money whenever they think they need it. these people are determined to turn Seattle into the Detroit of the Northwest…