Do We Pay For Our Roads Once? Or Do We Choose to Be a Dunce?

POLITICS THAT RHYME--I like my roads fixed through and through, And I think you feel the same way, too!  But call me silly, and such a fool, 'Cuz I hate being used as a stupid tool.

I think my opinion is not too lonely, 

When I want to pay for things once only.

I know it's BORING about pensions so soared,

But our road money is used for things untoward.

Such as other things, from the mountains to the ocean,

That have nothing to do with allowing forward motion.

Like public union pensions, which we can do nothing about,

Or so we're told, 'cuz we have no clout.

Roads are good, and so are rails,

And so are sidewalks, and bicycle trails.

As well are our schools, with money spent well,

(But usually not, as we all know too well).

But one thing with pensions, which might leave you stunned,

Is that we're on the hook, with our general fund.

Which means our state, for water we thirst, 

Is forced to pay, our pensions come first!

The stocks are low, and our pensions cost high,

So, hello obligations, and our road money "bye-bye"!

But it's OK, we've seen this before,

No need to get mad, no need to get sore!

We paid for roads once, and we paid for them twice,

And we'll pay for them more, 'cuz we're always so nice.

So, don't dare you object, 'cuz that's just plain mean,

"Others" will pay, and ain't that so keen?

The rich will pay, they've got it coming,

And WE sure won't pay, 'cuz that's just plain dumbing.

So, it's back to the grind, and back to our work,

And if anyone grouses, then he's just a jerk!

Riiiight? Sleep tiiiight!

(Kenneth S. Alpern, M.D. is a dermatologist who has served in clinics in Los Angeles, Orange, and Riverside Counties, and is a proud husband and father to two cherished children and a wonderful wife. He is also a Westside Village Zone Director and Board member of the Mar Vista Community Council (MVCC), previously co-chaired its Outreach Committee, and currently is Co-Chair of both its MVCC Transportation/Infrastructure and Planning Committees. He was co-chair of the CD11 Transportation Advisory Committee and chaired the nonprofit Transit Coalition and can be reached at [email protected]. He also co-chairs the grassroots Friends of the Green Line at www.fogl.us. The views expressed in this article are solely those of Dr. Alpern.)

-cw