I'm stealing this idea from another blog and making it better, making it mine.
Still, I think it's important to take a close look at who is supporting light rail in Kansas City:
Construction people, architectural firms and other assorted characters in this industry love light rail because it means they'll be getting a big government check if it passes . . . Never mind that these groups have a horrible track record with big ticket projects in Kansas City that never turn a profit . . . Double Bonus: They also don't hire minorities.
Mayor Funky loves light rail!!! He's betting big on this vote despite the fact that he didn't come up with this plan, he said he didn't like it but he is gambling that KC passing light rail will revive his otherwise utterly defeated Administration.
KANSAS CITY CRIMINALS LOVE LIGHT RAIL!!! It makes finding victims so much easier.
The old folks who acutally believe the lies they read in The Star love light rail!!! Even worse, they don't have much regard for other old people riding the bus who will be delayed as their routes are diverted into light rail to boost ridership numbers and ultimately make public transportation in Kansas City run a lot slower.
The people of JoCo love Light Rail!!! They're not paying for it, they'll ride it when it's new (if it ever gets built - which isn't a guarantee even if it passes) . . . AND these folks will park their SUV nearby in order to take a ride on the new toy train despite the fact they would never step foot on a bus in KC Proper.
People selling condos love light rail!!! They can describe it as an amenity as they quickly unload all of their property in KC's current real estate crash. Once again leaving hopeful white people with a bit of money holding the bag. Nullus.
Tourists love light rail!!! Again, they're not paying for it but the idea of it is nice for a moment. Too bad KC needs more hotel space and the folks just visiting don't really need to know this town needs 7 BILLION IN SEWER REPAIR!!!
Hippies Love Light Rail!!! Light Rail doesn't cut transportation by cars and there's little evidence it really reduces pollution. What it will do is kill businesses along the route during the construction process . . . But hippies don't need money or evidence. They just like the idea of saving the planet.
Skanks at the P&L District love light rail!!! Two words: Fake ass stripper pole dances by drunk chicks!!! This routine will grow tired in less than two weeks of light rail (in 2020) but until some fat chick tries it . . . It'll be awesome!!!
D-BAGS LOVE LIGHT RAIL!!! All of the previous groups combined don't add up to very many people. The vote on light rail is dependent on d-bags. If light rail wins that means there are a great many d-bags in this town who don't understand (or care) that light rail is a burden to low income and minority taxpayers with little benefit. These same d-bags so desperately want to pretend they live in Portland but realize they wouldn't be "unique" at all with so many other d-bags out there who also possess an ipod and appreciate the comedy of Sarah Silverman. Sadly, Kansas City's future is in the hands of these people . . . The D-bags will decide it, if they turn out in record numbers and forget about taxes and reality . . . Kansas City will be stuck with even more chatter about light rail until the point when Federal Funding completely falls through . . .
An informative guide TKC
ReplyDeleteouch
ReplyDeleteI recognized the hippy. Thirty-seven years later and he is still on Telegraph Ave on south side of Campus. He used to harras the Hare Krishna monks. Berkeley is a time warp. Sal is still protesting the war....the Viet Nam one.
ReplyDeleteI have an Idea on what the answer is, but can anyone tell me why Mayor Funky is pushing the light rail so hard? What is his motivation? Why is the Mayor so involved in pushing this thing?
ReplyDeleteBut isn't saving the planet good?
ReplyDeleteI responded to some of these points over on Nick Sloan's blog:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.nicksloan.com/2008/10/column-my-final-argument-against-light.html
Anonymous 3:13 pm. Saving the planet is excellent. But this is not about saving the planet. The carbon footprint is still there. Light rail is not going to take develop a big ridership on this route. In fact, nationally the ridership is not significant enough to say that people are leaving their cars for public transit. If this public discusion were about transportation, we could talk about making the bus system more responsive and serving all 340 sq miles of Kansas City, Missouri. That would get more people out of there cars and thus reduce the carbon foot print.
ReplyDeleteNote to the City: for a limited time only, my law firm is currently accepting Municipal clients for consultation regarding various aspects of billion dollar projects.
ReplyDeleteThis idea blows. Vote no on light rail.
ReplyDeleteWait! We could help lance weber get some legal work. All we have to do is vote yes. And we do not want to see lawyers suffer during this economic recession.
ReplyDeleteWe'll never be a desirable city like Portland Oregon until we can get on board with light rail.
ReplyDeleteMy gosh this town is full of corn fed and brain dead rubes.
Don't you bastards want to live in a desirable, progressive city?
Why do you want to live in city up to its eyeballs in debt?
ReplyDeletesave a lawyer: Now you're talking! Please vote "yes" to help lawyers avoid any reductions in net profits during these tough times. Thanks.
ReplyDelete'Don't you bastards want to live in a desirable, progressive city?'
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely. That's why most of us live in the suburbs dork.
L-O-FUCKING-L!!!
ReplyDeletelance weber is a man with a business plan. Handling bankruptsy cases is not as lucrative as land condimnations. Save A Lawyer is just one more reason for voting light rail.
ReplyDeleteFirst it was transportation. Then it was economic development. When the deep recession started to set in, it became a jobs program. It then was a way to get us out of cow town. But now we have a real reason----saving lawyers.
Oh yes Portland!!!!!!! Heroin capital of the pacific northwest! Bring it on!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDelete