http://slog.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2012/12/14/the-death-of-pierce-transit-and-why-voting-is-not-democracy Comments On: The Death of Pierce Transit and Why Voting Is Not Democracy by Charles Mudede en-us Copyright 2013 The Stranger. All rights reserved. This RSS file is offered to individuals, The Stranger readers, and non-commercial organizations only. Any commercial websites wishing to use this RSS file, please contact The Stranger. webmaster@thestranger.com (The Stranger Webmaster) Wed, 19 Jun 2013 00:00:01 -0700 Wed, 19 Jun 2013 12:30:00 -0700 Foundation http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss
Medic One fate again may lie in levy vote
http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.c…

In an amazing display of short-sightedness and self-interest, the electorate voted to defund Emergency Medical Services. Classic.
Posted by Stephen McCandless]]> Wed, 09 Jan 2013 16:32:00 -0800 The Stranger Posted by Pridge Wessea]]> Tue, 25 Dec 2012 00:09:30 -0800 The Stranger Posted by Mister G]]> Sat, 15 Dec 2012 00:24:48 -0800 The Stranger
Is that fair? Absolutely. Because you benefit from I-5 even if you don't use it. Without it, traffic would be hell on the roads you do use.

Now - see that rush-hour articulated bus that's standing room only? That's what would be 70 cars taking up the room of three. You can't tell me that only the people on that bus benefit.

Public transportation is infrastructure, just like highways. And people who don't use buses benefit from their reduction of traffic, so they should pay for them, too.

I'm not saying there shouldn't be a user fee, but it's unfair to charge only bus passengers when all benefit. You want to see your commute go to shit? Charge bus users so much that they drive instead.
Posted by Free Lunch]]> Fri, 14 Dec 2012 19:46:57 -0800 The Stranger Posted by Mister G]]> Fri, 14 Dec 2012 15:01:44 -0800 The Stranger
Problem solved.
Posted by Will in Seattle]]> Fri, 14 Dec 2012 14:25:13 -0800 The Stranger
Here in King County, the average bus commuter has a household income of $70,000 yet those fares are heavily subsidized. Fares should be doubled on bus commuters, to reflect the cost and value of the service.

Beyond that, my understanding of the Pierce County referendum is that the proponents weren't just seeking funding of existing service, but expansion. Obviously, they overreached. If you look at the last several transit votes around the state, they failed -- Seattle's $60 car cabs, Pierce County, and Clark County. And statewide, every county in the state voted for I-1185, including King County.

The fake-o "progressives" in Seattle refuse to get the message. How many times do you have to be told? The people in this state have had it with tax increases. You can kick and scream and whine and stamp your precious little "progressive" feet all you want, but that's the reality here.

Hey, children, there's always California. You like being taxed out the wazoo? Move there!
Posted by Mister G]]> Fri, 14 Dec 2012 13:48:28 -0800 The Stranger Posted by Mister G]]> Fri, 14 Dec 2012 12:59:18 -0800 The Stranger
Shit changes.
Posted by giffy]]> Fri, 14 Dec 2012 12:40:43 -0800 The Stranger Posted by Mister G]]> Fri, 14 Dec 2012 12:34:48 -0800 The Stranger Posted by JonnoN]]> Fri, 14 Dec 2012 12:10:25 -0800 The Stranger Posted by fuck driving]]> Fri, 14 Dec 2012 12:03:29 -0800 The Stranger But here is the question: Why is transit service a matter for voters in the first place?

There is nothing more democratic than the power to tax and spend. Take that away from the people and their representatives, and there is no self-government. It's called "taxation without representation," and it was the catalyst for the revolution that produced the United States.

History: It's what's for breakfast.
Posted by Mister G]]> Fri, 14 Dec 2012 11:48:20 -0800 The Stranger Posted by giffy]]> Fri, 14 Dec 2012 11:31:11 -0800 The Stranger Our representatives are increasingly abrogating their responsibility by calling for public votes on issues rather than making the hard decisions themselves.

True. It does seem to be very often an act of cowardice. Oh, we didn't raise your taxes/lower your services, it's just the will of the people!

@2 Plus, people in less dense outlying areas are more likely to vote against transit funding.
Posted by McJulie]]> Fri, 14 Dec 2012 10:35:12 -0800 The Stranger Posted by Cato the Younger Younger]]> Fri, 14 Dec 2012 10:29:42 -0800 The Stranger
A City focused transit system could still serve outer areas, but would not have the pressure to do it just because. Instead they could do it based on demand.

Same with King County. It always pissed me off seeing empty buses heading out the middle of nowhere while the 48 was standing room only.
Posted by giffy]]> Fri, 14 Dec 2012 10:28:37 -0800 The Stranger
The result for Tacoma is most likely going to be ugly. People will be unable to commute to their jobs. Traffic will increase as former transit commuters shift to automobiles. But, perhaps it will serve as a case study for the rest of the state to see why transit is important.
Posted by fletc3her]]> Fri, 14 Dec 2012 10:16:13 -0800 The Stranger