LaHood defends mass transit push
By Alan Wirzbicki, Globe correspondent
WASHINGTON -- Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood defended the pro-mass transit policies of the Obama administration today, and fired back at conservative writer George Will, who devoted an entire column to attacking LaHood earlier this week.
"We have to create opportunities for people who want to ride a bike or walk or take a streetcar," he said. "The only person that I've heard of who objects to this is George Will."
Will wrote a column in Newsweek magazine criticizing the secretary, whom he dubbed "Secretary of Behavior Modification," for supporting measures to wean commuters off automobiles.
LaHood, a former Republican congressman from Illinois, made his remarks during a speech at the National Press Club about Obama's economic stimulus plan, which directed billions to transit and high-speed rail, and the upcoming transportation bill. The Obama administration hopes the bill, which sets federal policy for the next five years, will shift more money into public transportation.
One of only two Republicans in the Obama cabinet, LaHood was named to the post in part to serve as the president's ambassador to Congressional Republicans. He acknowledged that efforts to win GOP support for the stimulus had failed, but said he believed more Republicans would support the Obama administration on healthcare and climate change legislation that is also expected this year.
In a question-and-answer session following his remarks, Lahood expressed exasperation with the suggestion from some of his fellow Republicans that redirecting federal transportation money from highways to other modes of transportation amounted to government meddling in individual decisions.
"About everything we do around here is government intrusion into people's lives," he said.
"It is a way to coerce people out of their cars. Yeah."
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George Will is such a tradionalist - he still believes that 90% Federal funding for the interstate highway program through nowhere and for beltways through farms was fair when built in the 50's, 60's and 70's - when public transit got 0 federal funds. He's just traditional in wanting to pave over the planet - the GOP real estate lobby depends on George Will who has never been out of his limo in 25-years.
Will is a was.
Considering the U.S. Census predicts a 29% population increase between 2000 and 2030, and a 49% population increase in the Western States, I'm curious how Mr. Will might suggest we tackle the congestion problems already facing American urban areas (without question caused by single occupancy vehicle travel). "Let the people get on with their lives...," can he be serious? Sure, let's get rid of zoning laws in your neighborhood Mr. Will and see how you feel about the 'role of government.' Cut down the trees and bring on the cement; we'll pave our way to prosperity!
President Obama and the Obama Congress seem to think the American people want the government to take away their freedoms; to do our thinking for us; to tell us which cars we can have; to tell us which foods we can drink and to tax, tax, tax, until we conform to their demands. Obama's administration should get the updates from scientist that we are not causing global warming!! Shame on you President Obama and the Obama Democrat Congress!! We will not give up our
liberties, we will remain free!!!
Elva, when you're ready to pay the thousands of dollars required for you to be "free" to drive on your very own private roads, get back to us.
Elva, I'm tired of the government using my tax money to pay for oxygen treatment for the chronic asthmatic kids in my neighborhood. Well, until we close the freeway the kids live next to, they will keep catching asthma and I will have to keep paying for their ER visits. I don't mind that so much as the fact that I'm paying for the roads that cause their asthma in the first place.
But I'm working on it.
Explain to me exactly why taxpayers have to subsidize people who want to ride, bike or take a streetcar to work? This is NOT the job of government. Get out of our lives.
Explain to me, KansasGirl, why taxpayers have to subsidize freeways for people who want to tool around in their cars? That is not the job of government. Get out and walk.
Hey BayStater...debate is good, but get your facts straight. Highways are not subsidized by "taxpayers". Highways are supported by the Highway Trust Fund that collects gax taxes which are only charged to those who drive on the roads; it's a user fee.
I'd take light rail over an automobile trip any day. We've got enough roads.
Gigi, you are correct about some of your facts, gas taxes support a portion of the highway trust fund but far from all of it and it only supports federal-aid highways, but hardly all roads. Auto travel is subsidized all over the place from local roads and subsidized parking to condemnation of private land for right-of-way and the original federal dollars to build the interstate system as previously noted. Fact is, all modes have benefited from government subsidy or action. And if you think public transportation has no benefit to motorists, I'd hate to see rush hour in New York, Chicago, DC, etc without trains, buses, and subways. Drivers ride transit and walk, transit riders drive and bike, we need a system that works for everybody.
All of the egregiousness of liberalism is on display here:
Ignorance: Fla Joe speaks of the GOP real estate lobby. Every heard of Angelo Monzillo and Chris Dodd, Joe? How about Barney Frank?
Pathetic Utopianism: Disgusted Somervillian thinks that federal spending on mass transit will cure asthma. As stupid as thinking cap and trade will lower the temperature of the planet.
A Desire to Control and Coerce: Thank you, Pa/Ma, for honestly betraying yourself as the petty tyrant you, Ray Lahood, and all liberals, are.