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Congestion Pricing: More than a Bad Idea |
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Voice in the Cheap Seats
By Charles Tarlow
Congestion Pricing: it is not just a bad idea, it is morally corrupt.
The new year has begun and already there is more talk about “Congestion Pricing”, the euphemism for “Preferential Access for the Rich”. An example of Congestion Pricing is the plan to charge for use of the diamond lanes with more being charged during the hours of highest traffic use. This week, the state said the plan for CP was on the fast track.
 Backed by the Federal Government, this plan will put cities to the moral test and the exam is a simple one question pass or fail integrity test:
Is it better to:
A. Take the Federal monies, along with gratuitous fees and rate hikes, in exchange for reserving diamond lanes, parking and even highway access exclusively for rich folks. Or,
B. Take responsibility for the planning mistakes of the past and develop a mass transit plan that will serve all the people of Los Angeles
As incredible as it seems, Los Angeles is poised to fail this morality test. Economic pressure, callused indifference and the fact that all the decision makers are rich, conspire to support the path of least resistance: “take the money and run”. After all, the only people who will be negatively affected by CP are those who cannot afford to pay and by the time they figure it out, it will be too late.
It should come as no surprise that our leaders are isolated from the people they represent. Why else would they give themselves raises in the midst of a “financial crisis”? Why else would they continue to allow development over protests of the people? And why else would they consider selling public resources to the rich?!!!
If you are concerned about these issues, take the exam. Pick up your pencil; will it be “A.” or “B”? Money or morality?
If you believe that the diamond lane should be given to the highest bidder ... do nothing!
If you believe that public parking should be available only to the privileged ... do nothing!
If you believe private roads for the rich are the solution to congestion ... do nothing!
If you believe it is OK for our rich leaders to make laws that benefit only the rich ... do nothing!
Do nothing, say nothing, be quiet, and “Congestion Pricing” will solve the mobility problem ... FOR THE RICH! (Charles Tarlow is a community activist and a member of a neighborhood council in the mid-city area.) _
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