Froth Slosh B'Gosh: Cafeteria Libertarian?

Froth Slosh B'Gosh: Cafeteria Libertarian?: "Cafeteria Libertarian?

I didn't catch this posting until now. My reply, posted here and at Froth's site. Thanks for the positive mentions too.

What if, 35 years ago, the then private transportation operators went bankrupt? What if they were not merged into the PAT?

Or, what if the 2005 band-aid recently applied to the public transit situation hit a snag and was NOT delivered at all? Plus, the recently saved PAT is presently with a two-year extension. PAT's long-term health is still set to expire.

Some 35-years ago we were moments away from a total system shutdown. Today the region is still just months away from a possible (if not probable) tansit melt down. Some were calling for ongoing operations until $0 was left. They wanted no service changes until gasoline and payroll could not be covered. No nights and weekend service was a build up to NO SERVICE at all.

The crisis 35 years ago was avoided, perhaps, but replaced with a bigger crisis that is knocking at our doorsteps.

For the past 35 years, we've given a lot of $ to transit and transportation. This just makes the real bust a crisis that is millions of times worse.

I don't want a total privitazation of the system of mass transit. I do think an evolution is necessary -- and it has to happen. We need to let it happen.

The brink of failure is still here. It is time to diversify in measured steps. And, as with the sell off of the schools -- I think the public has a place for doing the harder to handle jobs we confront in our communities.