I'm a socialist. I voted against Harris. Insisting that someone largely despised by the left is actually the symbol for us is lazy. If she had won a few more popular vote percent would you be saying, "Americans love socialism!"? Probably not.
Please don't score cheap points this way and alienate people who might be interested in other things you have to say.
I actually think Americans have too many choices (in the name of “individualism” but really just capitalism) and should be pushed to invest in the public good. More should be pushed onto public transportation to improve conditions/public transport overall. More should be pushed into public school in their neighborhoods to be forced to improve conditions/education for all. So am a big fan of this pricing; many cities around the world use it and it’s okay to have to use something collective/public instead of individual. This is how you get better common goods.
Love the post, Andy. Keep up the great work! What do you think of referring to it as “decongestion pricing”, (credit Jarrett Walker) since that is what it actually does?
Totally agree with the argument that it’s silly that people with cars act as though the registration fees/gas tax cover the roads they use (and many other points in here regarding external costs of cars, etc).
But, given congestion pricing isn’t a toll that will be used to pay for roads, isn’t it a little dangerous to suggest the $9 is fixing that wrong? If anything, motorists who see this would have another fee to point to as proof they’re paying their share (though that would not be true).
Think of it as a system. In this case, NYC operates a transportation system that includes roads, sidewalks, bridges, tunnels, trains, buses. They're charging people who are putting a burden on the system, and using that money to improve the system.
I'm a socialist. I voted against Harris. Insisting that someone largely despised by the left is actually the symbol for us is lazy. If she had won a few more popular vote percent would you be saying, "Americans love socialism!"? Probably not.
Please don't score cheap points this way and alienate people who might be interested in other things you have to say.
I actually think Americans have too many choices (in the name of “individualism” but really just capitalism) and should be pushed to invest in the public good. More should be pushed onto public transportation to improve conditions/public transport overall. More should be pushed into public school in their neighborhoods to be forced to improve conditions/education for all. So am a big fan of this pricing; many cities around the world use it and it’s okay to have to use something collective/public instead of individual. This is how you get better common goods.
Love the post, Andy. Keep up the great work! What do you think of referring to it as “decongestion pricing”, (credit Jarrett Walker) since that is what it actually does?
Good catch, and I agree!
https://x.com/Boenau/status/1877362890006462703?t=dkCs_PhEjgSywPZZEmEWxw&s=19
Totally agree with the argument that it’s silly that people with cars act as though the registration fees/gas tax cover the roads they use (and many other points in here regarding external costs of cars, etc).
But, given congestion pricing isn’t a toll that will be used to pay for roads, isn’t it a little dangerous to suggest the $9 is fixing that wrong? If anything, motorists who see this would have another fee to point to as proof they’re paying their share (though that would not be true).
Think of it as a system. In this case, NYC operates a transportation system that includes roads, sidewalks, bridges, tunnels, trains, buses. They're charging people who are putting a burden on the system, and using that money to improve the system.
Great article Andy!
Thanks Jeremy