Same Old Stupid Answer from the Washington Post
Years ago when my son resisted reading, I used to tell him that, unless he learned to read and analyze information, the only job he would likely get was cleaning porto-potties. (It sunk in even at that early age. He's now a strong reader and good student.) But I was wrong; without an education and the ability to think, one could still write editorials for the Washington Post.
Today's (9/27) left-wing rant for more transportation taxes in Virginia continues the Post's superficial foolishness. Oh, I'm not arguing that the plans of Delegates Rust and Albo for increased local taxes and fees for transportation improvements in NoVA are necessarily wrong. But a thinking person, be they liberal or conservative, would also explore solutions to the many other complexities involved in Virginia's transportation mess. Can we also make improvements without first raising taxes?
The Posties rattle off a list of projects that wouldn't be funded, but don't address whether those projects would actually improve traffic or merely result in induced demand and more congestion, or simply worse, spark even more development. Never mind facts, raise a tax! Keep in mind that the very same editorial writers continually blast development in Loudoun County. (But that's probably because the BoS there is controlled by Republicans.)
What about air quality? The Post normally complains about air quality and demands more regulation. What about in Virginia? Would the EPA even permit the Commonwealth to engage in a large-scale road-building program in NoVA? Air quality matters not when taxes could be increased.
The Post discusses Metrorail and its need for more and more money. What about the gross mismanagement and lack of government oversight plaguing WMATA? What about all of the problems uncovered by the Post's reporters? What about spending at least $4 billion to build the Silver Line despite the fact that it does not relieve traffic congestion? Just pour more money into the flawed beast demands the Post.
What about land use controls? Just about every Virginian would agree that last year's strong vote for Tim Kaine was because he promised to stop the insanity of permitting more development when the roads couldn't handle the traffic. I suspect that most Virginians would favor laws authorizing local governments to adopt adequate public facilities ordinances, just like they have in Maryland. Has the Post ever discussed this issue in an editorial? Of course not; why should it when the solution is higher taxes?
The Post needs editorial writers who have the ability to think beyond the single solution of higher taxes to every problem. Perhaps, the Post's owners could have a group of first graders replace its existing crew. We'd get much more thoughtful analysis.
Today's (9/27) left-wing rant for more transportation taxes in Virginia continues the Post's superficial foolishness. Oh, I'm not arguing that the plans of Delegates Rust and Albo for increased local taxes and fees for transportation improvements in NoVA are necessarily wrong. But a thinking person, be they liberal or conservative, would also explore solutions to the many other complexities involved in Virginia's transportation mess. Can we also make improvements without first raising taxes?
The Posties rattle off a list of projects that wouldn't be funded, but don't address whether those projects would actually improve traffic or merely result in induced demand and more congestion, or simply worse, spark even more development. Never mind facts, raise a tax! Keep in mind that the very same editorial writers continually blast development in Loudoun County. (But that's probably because the BoS there is controlled by Republicans.)
What about air quality? The Post normally complains about air quality and demands more regulation. What about in Virginia? Would the EPA even permit the Commonwealth to engage in a large-scale road-building program in NoVA? Air quality matters not when taxes could be increased.
The Post discusses Metrorail and its need for more and more money. What about the gross mismanagement and lack of government oversight plaguing WMATA? What about all of the problems uncovered by the Post's reporters? What about spending at least $4 billion to build the Silver Line despite the fact that it does not relieve traffic congestion? Just pour more money into the flawed beast demands the Post.
What about land use controls? Just about every Virginian would agree that last year's strong vote for Tim Kaine was because he promised to stop the insanity of permitting more development when the roads couldn't handle the traffic. I suspect that most Virginians would favor laws authorizing local governments to adopt adequate public facilities ordinances, just like they have in Maryland. Has the Post ever discussed this issue in an editorial? Of course not; why should it when the solution is higher taxes?
The Post needs editorial writers who have the ability to think beyond the single solution of higher taxes to every problem. Perhaps, the Post's owners could have a group of first graders replace its existing crew. We'd get much more thoughtful analysis.
posted by Toomanytaxes at 9:54 AM
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