...it’s local too. In this case, the "national" refers to the President’s speech to Congress last week. The local refers to local application of some of the president’s plans.
The mention was so brief that most people who only listened to the speech may have missed the reference and most probably have forgotten it by now if they did hear it to begin with. We printed the speech and the following wording caught our eye.
With reference to the nation’s "world-class transportation system," the president had this to say. "And now we’re going to sit back and watch China build newer airports and faster railroads?" (Our emphasis.)
He then added, "It (his proposal) will jumpstart thousands of transportation projects across the country. And to make sure the money is properly spent, we’re building on reforms we’ve already put in place....No more boondoggles." (Our emphasis.)
Locally, of course, the question becomes, "Just what is a transportation project?" If there are reforms already in place, we wonder how they provide for the use of such funds to reduce a 4-lane street to a 2-lane street for the express purpose of converting the area to a pedestrian promenade. (Georgia Street becomes Boondoggle Boulevard.)
This is a project designed specifically to impress some visitors to the city who are expected, despite the fact that many hotels, the convention center and the football field are all connected with enclosed passages, to get out and walk around downtown Indianapolis in February!
If there are just 100 such questionable expenditures of federal funds, we’re looking at $600,000,000. (We know we should be embarrassed at bringing up such a minuscule amount in the federal spending world, but remember what the late Sen. Dirksen said - "A billion here and a billion there, and the first thing you know you’re talking about a lot of money.")
Three days after Mr. Obama spoke, the local daily paper presented a column written by a man identified as "an architect who specializes in urban planning and development." The headline was, "Mass transit can lead us again to new growth."
His principal theme was the growth of the city in the past because of the presence of public transportation, citing Broad Ripple and Irvington particularly. He says, in part, "There is no question that the transit system was the impetus for commercial growth around the city." (Our emphasis.) He then adds, "Without a well-funded, transportation plan - one that includes an improved bus system, rapid transit, biking and walking paths..."
Two questions here. What does he mean by the term "rapid transit?" And, is he actually suggesting further encouragement of suburban expansion (what we used to call "urban sprawl") such as new Broad Ripples and Irvingtons? If so, how long will it be until we need to add multiple lanes of concrete because rail lines are so geographically limited?
Is he suggesting we should get in line early, with our hands out for more federal spending programs? Yes, we know. It’s called an investment. But Washington still has to come up with the money, and they have three sources. They can borrow it. They can print it. They can squeeze it out of your bank account.
We don’t like any of those alternatives. Let's really, seriously prioritize government spending. Now.
What might be mentioned is that "experts" often comment on things they can get personal gain from. As the saying goes - if you are a carpenter the whole world is a nail - as to Georgia Street the 12.5 million dollars mentioned IS a lot, but we are told most of the money comes from taxpayers elsewhere, just as our taxes pay for their boondoggles.This is not a sign of progress in our "effort" to become a financially stable country and city.Finally, recent incidents (deadly wrecks due to equipment and human failure) in the Chinese high speed rail system suggest they are NOT to be copied.
Posted by: J. England | September 14, 2011 at 11:28 AM