Children, Government, and Trains
Wow. "Out of the mouths of babes."
The big discussion these days in Charlotte is light rail. The city wants to continue spending more than $8 Billion to build a train set. They, obviously, need enormous piles of tax money to do that. There's an issue on the ballot this fall to reduce a sales tax -- primary because that sales tax was put in place to build a $1 billion train system, but the money hasn't been used for building trains. So today I glance over at the cheerleader for big government, the Charlotte Observer, who occasionally publishes comments from children on issues. Usually they're just uninformed comments, but today's were interesting. They were asked about the trains. Predictably, the Observer published various opinions, in this case 6 supporting the government trains, 4 opposed. But what's really interesting is WHO supports the trains: A few samples from the supporters:The light rail benefits anyone who has to go to uptown.
Sorry, not true.
While aiding in protection of the environment, it provides all citizens an opportunity for a safer and, probably, less stressful commute.
Nope, that's not true, either.
The light rail will reduce the number of cars on the roads, and attract riders because it will be a lot faster than riding in a car.
Wrong and wrong.
Hopefully, voters will take long term growth into account, and realize that implementing the transit system may be the solution Charlotte needs to reduce traffic congestion and pollution.
Completely and totally incorrect, proven repeatedly with facts. A few quotes from those opposed:
The Charlotte light rail system is a great example of an unnecessary, yet huge, expenditure.
Exactly right.
We already have environment-friendly buses. Therefore, we would be wasting money by adding yet another method of public transportation.
Imagine that! Good insight.
If we continue to build the tracks and people don't use them it will be a useless way to spend the taxpayers' money.
Some independent thought there, huh? Oh, the most interesting part? Those who repeat ideas that are simply completely, factually WRONG are all government (public) school students. Those who show independent thought and point out the true facts are all private school students or home schooled. Yet more evidence that government schools are just plain wrong.
Comments
1
A lite rail system would be good for Charlotte and Raleigh, if, and that is a big if, it actually did what it was supposed to do, and went where people who make money were actually going. Instead, looking at the plans, they tend to go through poor areas, to take them to shopping centers.
However, as I am sure you already know, our cities are just too spread out, mixing business with residential, so the routes would be difficult, and encourage people to drive themselves. Atlanta's is not great, but not too good, either. Most white collar I saw on it was going to the airport.
However, as I am sure you already know, our cities are just too spread out, mixing business with residential, so the routes would be difficult, and encourage people to drive themselves. Atlanta's is not great, but not too good, either. Most white collar I saw on it was going to the airport.
Posted by: William Teach at September 14, 2007 01:11 PM (NaHh8)
2
Trains only work where there is MASSIVE density -- like New York City. Since Charlotte wants trains, and they want them to work, they'll just force people to live where and how politicians want them to, creating mass forced density.
That's what Charlotte is trying to do -- and is why there has been for 10 years a massive exodous from Charlotte into the surrounding counties!
That's what Charlotte is trying to do -- and is why there has been for 10 years a massive exodous from Charlotte into the surrounding counties!
Posted by: Ogre at September 14, 2007 01:19 PM (oifEm)
3
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