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News & ArtsWednesday, March 25, 2009
Economy Why We Hate the Rich
Posted by Charles Mudede on Wed, Mar 25, 2009 at 4:31 PM
Today in the history of class struggle:
The board of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority voted on Wednesday morning to enact a series of fare hikes and service cutbacks needed to keep the transit system from going broke.The vote was broken largely into three parts: fare hikes, toll increases and service cutbacks. After hearing from the public and the board members, the board approved each by a vote of 12 to 1.
“This is your last chance or forever hold your peace,” H. Dale Hemmerdinger, the chairman of the board, said before the final vote.
The lone dissenting member in each vote was Norman I. Seabrook, president of the 9,500-member New York City Correction Officers’ Benevolent Association.
Board members called the combination of fare increases and slashing bus, subway and commuter rail cuts a disaster but said they could no longer wait for lawmakers in Albany to rescue them.
We can not see such cuts—cuts in the public realm—as anything but an attack by the rich on the rest.
2
When this "class struggle" turns into a shooting war, will you lead us, Charles?
Will you be our John Connor against the teeming hordes of people who make more money than you?
Will you be our John Connor against the teeming hordes of people who make more money than you?
5
What's the difference between a fare hike and a toll increase?
Oh, and it sounds like they're trying to keep the entire system from going under. Times suck, but you like having a bus at all right?
Oh, and it sounds like they're trying to keep the entire system from going under. Times suck, but you like having a bus at all right?
6
It's time to do what they did in New York and make the consequences to the rich and ultra-rich for their actions palpable.
First thing: kill the Billionaires Tunnel.
Second thing: kill the Mercer SLU giveaway
Third thing: Make parking meter fines and speeding fines based on your income.
First thing: kill the Billionaires Tunnel.
Second thing: kill the Mercer SLU giveaway
Third thing: Make parking meter fines and speeding fines based on your income.
7
I'm trying to give you the benefit of the doubt here, Chuck, but I'm afraid I can't see how raising fares so the don't completely fold benefits the rich. The NY transit system isn't owned by rich people. Care to explain what the fuck you're talking about?
8
If the 'poor' won't pay what it costs to operate their transit system what does it have to do with the 'rich'?
Is it the job of the 'rich' to subsidize every need of the 'poor'?
Is it the job of the 'rich' to subsidize every need of the 'poor'?
9
wow will and I agree for once...kill that SLU mercer re-do (for the time being) and forget about the tunnel. We got other fish to fry, a Mayor Gridlock to vote out of office, a new 520 bridge that MUST have light rail on it and a viaduct that needs to be removed (or shored at least temporarily--yeah I hate it too its ugly and scarring to the waterfront) before a whole lotta people die on/under it.
52-80, you just do not get it if Charles or anyone else has to explain it to you: that fare increase is a huge amount ($81/mo to $103/month) for someone making minimum wage in NYC. What should be increased are the tolls into and out of the city for all the non-commercial driver's.. Smaller increases we all can deal with but a +20% increase to take a crowded bus or underground subway car in the most expensive city in the country serves as a punishment to riders who subsidize the presumably wealthier drivers.
52-80, you just do not get it if Charles or anyone else has to explain it to you: that fare increase is a huge amount ($81/mo to $103/month) for someone making minimum wage in NYC. What should be increased are the tolls into and out of the city for all the non-commercial driver's.. Smaller increases we all can deal with but a +20% increase to take a crowded bus or underground subway car in the most expensive city in the country serves as a punishment to riders who subsidize the presumably wealthier drivers.
10
@5: In NYC, the MTA gets revenue from tolls from the toll bridges and fares from buses and subways. They will be increasing both apparently.
11
Why don't they slowly start implementing full-on larger peak-time tolls to drive into the city? I lived in London before and after the tolling and did it make a difference...and its obvious walking down the street here anything below 14th is a clusterfuck to drive in. It gotten much much worse since I have been gone. Build it when you can Seattle, as you can see when times get tough here they are REDUCING service not increasing it.
12
Charles, name one problem (besides your poor self esteem) that's ever been solved by scapegoating a group of people.
Give one example of a Marxist power structure that is more humane and less corrupt than that of a liberal democracy.
Yeah, didn't think so.
If religion is the opiate of the masses, Marxism is the crack, and you are a crackhead.
Give one example of a Marxist power structure that is more humane and less corrupt than that of a liberal democracy.
Yeah, didn't think so.
If religion is the opiate of the masses, Marxism is the crack, and you are a crackhead.
14
They're doing it right in Victoria, BC however.
"Greater Victoria homeowners will face an increase of 14 per cent to their property tax transit levy this year in return for a boost in bus service.
"Transit commissioners voted five to one in favour of the tax hike, which will increase the average household levy by about $11 to $85.50 [per year]. The average business transit levy will rise by about $121 to $1,200."
http://www.timescolonist.com/Business/Tr…
"Greater Victoria homeowners will face an increase of 14 per cent to their property tax transit levy this year in return for a boost in bus service.
"Transit commissioners voted five to one in favour of the tax hike, which will increase the average household levy by about $11 to $85.50 [per year]. The average business transit levy will rise by about $121 to $1,200."
http://www.timescolonist.com/Business/Tr…
15
sigh... these all went into effect because there were endless stalls at albany for a plan to assist the MTA. when i moved to NYC in 2001, a 1-month of unlimited rides was $56. this is taking it to $108. i'm getting a fucking bike.
16
Charles check your facts. The MTA is not owned by the rich. It is a public agency. In New York, unlike most of the country, it is not just poor people taking the subway. The fair hikes affect the upper middle class downwards.
17
Hi Charles,
Please provide better context about this subject. This isn't the MTA Board's fault. They are required by law to pass a balanced budget. Blame lies squarely with the NY State Senate (who I agree are putting the needs of the very few above the many).
Here is some info:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/25/opinio…
http://secondavenuesagas.com/2009/03/25/…
Please provide better context about this subject. This isn't the MTA Board's fault. They are required by law to pass a balanced budget. Blame lies squarely with the NY State Senate (who I agree are putting the needs of the very few above the many).
Here is some info:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/25/opinio…
http://secondavenuesagas.com/2009/03/25/…
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