Captain Quackenbush's
Do We Want a Choice in Transportation?
RECEIVED Mon., Aug. 30, 2004
Dear Editor,
In recent decades we have seen the decentralization of utility management, communications methods, and transportation modes. The benefits of choice often outweigh the slow inefficient systems of yesteryear, but suspicion over where profit fits into basic needs like electricity and water still worries many.
Rail transportation is at the forefront of the argument over private vs. public governance. Those in favor of privatization reel at any proposed system that is publicly funded and governed, and worry that such a transportation system is doomed to repeat the errors of the past. However, these same individuals fail to focus on the history of rail transportation to recognize the errors of America's forefathers.
Prior to America's highway infrastructure, almost every single commuter rail service in the country was privately operated. These systems ran on commercial philosophy, following the laws of supply and demand as they expanded their services and maintained healthy profits. But, the federal government didn't agree with privatized transportation.
Dumping billions of dollars into a publicly owned transportation system, America's highways quickly shut down all forms of private transportation in cities across the country. This new dependence on highways actually reduced privatized transportation.
The irony is that those most in favor of privatization (and against public funds for rail systems) are so unaware of how we got ourselves into this predicament. LBJ, his administration, and subsequent presidencies have forced America into a climate where all land-based transportation methods must be subsidized by the government.
Therefore, the argument over the public financing system for transportation is moot – we have no other choice but to publicly fund all transportation modes (or fund none at all). The major question becomes the matter of choice: Do we want a choice in transportation?
America's values come from variety of choice, yet we seem satisfied in restraint.
In recent decades we have seen the decentralization of utility management, communications methods, and transportation modes. The benefits of choice often outweigh the slow inefficient systems of yesteryear, but suspicion over where profit fits into basic needs like electricity and water still worries many.
Rail transportation is at the forefront of the argument over private vs. public governance. Those in favor of privatization reel at any proposed system that is publicly funded and governed, and worry that such a transportation system is doomed to repeat the errors of the past. However, these same individuals fail to focus on the history of rail transportation to recognize the errors of America's forefathers.
Prior to America's highway infrastructure, almost every single commuter rail service in the country was privately operated. These systems ran on commercial philosophy, following the laws of supply and demand as they expanded their services and maintained healthy profits. But, the federal government didn't agree with privatized transportation.
Dumping billions of dollars into a publicly owned transportation system, America's highways quickly shut down all forms of private transportation in cities across the country. This new dependence on highways actually reduced privatized transportation.
The irony is that those most in favor of privatization (and against public funds for rail systems) are so unaware of how we got ourselves into this predicament. LBJ, his administration, and subsequent presidencies have forced America into a climate where all land-based transportation methods must be subsidized by the government.
Therefore, the argument over the public financing system for transportation is moot – we have no other choice but to publicly fund all transportation modes (or fund none at all). The major question becomes the matter of choice: Do we want a choice in transportation?
America's values come from variety of choice, yet we seem satisfied in restraint.
Rad Tollett
