We choose basketball
June 16th, 2008People in Seattle, Washington probably think they’re so smart by investing their taxes in things other than a pro basketball team.
High gas prices are prying record numbers of Americans from their cars and onto buses, subways, and commuter trains. That has many pluses: It eases pocketbook expenses, road congestion, and pollution. But it’s also straining providers of mass transit – a signal for needed change.
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Look to Seattle for an example of needed foresight. It’s nearly finished with its 1996 expansion to its commuter rail network, and just in time. Last year, ridership shot up 28 percent – the highest rate in the country.
And yes, I’m sure many of the people who thought OKC should invest in public transportation instead of a basketball team are saying we told you so. But look at it this way: While folks in Seattle may have less road congestion and reduced air pollution, many of them will be riding trains to work and shop. But even though us Okies might have more smog and drive on clogged, potted roads, at least we can go to a basketball game to take our minds off it. That is as long as the rest of the state continues to subsidize ticket prices.
June 17th, 2008 at 12:36 am
What, the lovely bus line isn’t good enough? I saw that bus a few years ago! It looked nice. I should go stalk it and take a nice little ride around town.
June 21st, 2008 at 9:11 pm
Amen, bro. Amen. Hallelujah, and all that stuff.
Having not been a resident of OKC, I could truly oppose that sham^H^H^H^H extended sales tax on principle, and not just pocket.
But, basically, the city leaders were saying “Thanks, Ms. Gonzalez, for working an extra hour or two a month to cover the added sales tax on frivolous items like, you know, milk, cheese, laundry detergent. You helped keep Clay out of the poorhouse by bankrolling his practice facility. And, as thanks, he’ll be able to offer tickets at $75 a pop, rather than $80.”
Friggin’ pissed just thinking about it.