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A short (but good) read:
http://thepublicdiscourse.com/viewarticle.php?selectedarticle=2009.04.17.001.pdart
Columbus Underground Messageboard » General Columbus Discussion » Transit
Why Conservatives Should Care About Transit
[71 posts] [23 contributors]
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lifeontwowheels
Highland West
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Considering one of the basic platform pieces of the GOP over the last 8-9 years has been "National Security" and "Buy American", you would imagine they would be receptive to something that would reduce our dependence on foreign oil and potentially create new American industry opportunities.
Posted 3 years ago # -
Core_Models
Columbus
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I've posted this link before, but this is a great read from a leading conservative.
Posted 3 years ago # -
Doug Z
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Drill, baby drill!!!
And, speaking of Paul Weyrich---Here's a sound bite where he let's his guard down and publicly shows just how elitist conservatism really is:
Get the Video Plugin Posted 3 years ago # -
Doug Z
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Voter suppression is still a very serious issue.
http://www.brennancenter.org/content/resource/voter_suppression_incidents/
Posted 3 years ago # -
rus
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Doug Z wrote >>
Drill, baby drill!!!
And, speaking of Paul Weyrich---Here's a sound bite where he let's his guard down and publicly shows just how elitist conservatism really isSo...
Paul Weyrich is an "elitist conservative"... which Doug Z apparently says we should hate.
Paul Weyrich likes public transit.
Therefore, Doug Z apparently says we should hate public transit.
Posted 3 years ago # -
Core_Models
Columbus
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rus
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Core_Models wrote >>
rus wrote >>
Doug Z wrote >>
Drill, baby drill!!!
And, speaking of Paul Weyrich---Here's a sound bite where he let's his guard down and publicly shows just how elitist conservatism really isTherefore, Doug Z apparently says we should hate public transit.
Actually, yes.
http://www.columbusunderground.com/forums/topic/electric-cars-not-light-railtrolley-along-high-streetAt least he's consistent in his hate.
Posted 3 years ago # -
Core_Models
Columbus
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btw, few more from Weyrich, one of the greatest rail advocates of our time.
http://www.apta.com/research/info/online/weyrich2new.cfm
http://www.apta.com/research/info/online/good_urban_transit.cfm
This is one of the last things written by Weyrich before he died, and I think Doug could learn a thing or two from it:
http://www.cnsnews.com/public/content/article.aspx?Rsrcid=41008It was the best of times. It was the worst of times. It is the worst of times because millions of Americans are unemployed this Christmas. It is the worst of years because we have mortgaged the future of our children and grandchildren for decades to come.
It is the worst of years because many good friends have left us. It is the best of times because we still live in the greatest nation on earth. It is the best of years because we have the freedom to speak our minds. It is the best of years because we can organize as we see fit to support the political candidates of our choice.
It is the worst of years because we have to witness the troglodytes from hell kill innocent people in Mumbai, formerly Bombay. It is the best of years because we have a peaceful transition from a Republican to a Democratic President with exemplary co-operation between President George W. Bush and President-elect Barack H. Obama.
It is the best of years because the test of the sea-based missile defense system has worked. It is the worst of years because most of America is not defended against a missile attack. It is the best of times because the 22nd city opens a light-rail system this December after light-rail nearly died out a few years ago.
It is the worst of times because the Bush Administration has turned down 70 some cities which want light rail or streetcars. It is the best of times because Amtrak has set records in number of passengers carried. It is the worst of times because the airlines carry more people on one day than Amtrak does in a year.
It is the best of years because various factions are co-operating toward an agreement about the withdrawal of United States troops from Iraq. It is the worst of years because we are struggling in the war in Afghanistan.
It is the best of times because medical science continues to make great progress. It is the worst of times because we are about to suffer a government takeover of the most successful medical system in the world.
It is the worst of times because conservatives appear lost and without a serious agenda or a means of explaining such an agenda to the public. It is the best of times because Free Congress Foundation has a serious agenda called the Next Conservatism which should ignite a meaningful debate about the future.
Posted 3 years ago # -
lifeontwowheels
Highland West
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The only hate I saw came from one poster.
I think the GOP needs some good hard soul searching and I don't think there is anything wrong-either with the democrats or republicans-to point out where that may be.
Transit in general is just one thing that they are far out of touch, and I would argue reality, with. What is already mainstream in most of the industrialized world is often mere fantasy here in the states. Why other countries can find a careful balance between various modes of transportation and the US still lacks is a major issue that needs to be addressed.
Should we just start putting down rail lines? No. There needs to be serious debate and discussion to best spend available dollars, but we need to move beyond one party completely obstructing any progress.
Posted 3 years ago # -
Columbusite
Minneapolis
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Conservative cities in conservative states like Texas and Utah already have light rail, so it looks like plenty already understand transit to a degree. I think we need a thread on why some liberals should care about transit, because many don't, especially in Columbus.
Posted 3 years ago # -
Tigertree
771 N. High St.
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I thought that was a good article and I certainly believe in it. I don't think it's particularly influential though to people that don't already share the belief. His primary focus is that conservatives should believe in rail because pedestrian centered business districts allow for more small scale entrepreneurs and more small scale entrepreneurs is good for capitalism. I don't think strip malls are a sustainable market, judging by the volume of abandoned ones, but the big box stores have a lot of gravity when it comes to the kinds of businesses he alleges are being destroyed. Walmart, Target, Kroger.... never exist on their own. There might be more big box stores than ever now, but I guarantee you there are a hell of a lot more mom and pop stores now too. You might be able to whip out some bullshit statistic that argues that there are less by percentage, but only because there weren't as many big box stores before. There are a lot of restaurants (like spenellis deli), coffee shops (like cup of joe), etc. that exist on the periphery of those chains.
I am a proponent of high speed rail travel, I think it's an embarrassment that we don't have it yet. I am a proponent of inner city rail too as long as it's sensitive to business needs. I just don't think this was a particularly strong argument for it.Posted 3 years ago # -
Tigertree
771 N. High St.
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Columbusite wrote >>
Conservative cities in conservative states like Texas and Utah already have light rail, so it looks like plenty already understand transit to a degree. I think we need a thread on why some liberals should care about transit, because many don't, especially in Columbus.I totally agree that conservatives are largely to blame for throwing up road blocks, but this is a great point! Associating rail with a political party is toxic. It gives conservatives a reason to fight it.
Posted 3 years ago # -
lifeontwowheels
Highland West
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Ehhh...
I think you can throw it against a party. The Republican party has been the party largely throwing up the road blocks. One only has to look at the last administration's Transportation Secretary.
I think the difference largely is in a particular community's ideology, culture and values. I would argue that's why you sometimes see areas that would usually be labeled as "conservative" shifting to some of the more progressive ideas.
Posted 3 years ago # -
ehill27
Short North
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This is THE KEY ARGUMENT that mass transit advocates have been missing...
"We often hear complaints that transit systems do not earn profits... When was the last time you heard someone complain about how a local road never manages to turn a profit?"
Hallelujah! I'm glad someone said it! Enough with the double-standard!
Posted 3 years ago #
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