Opinion: Column
Hybrid bus plan runs low on gas
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The city of
Two summers ago, Alexander Cockburn wrote a series of articles in The Nation magazine rebutting Al Gore’s global warming advocacy. He wrote global warming is a myth, and attempts to address the issue are thinly-veiled consolidations of corporate power. While it is idiotic for Cockburn to question the science of global warming, this was the first time I’d heard a self-avowed democratic socialist attack the environmental movement from the left. And Cockburn was, if nothing else, absolutely correct that environmentalism has been usurped by big business centrists whose “green” values are entirely conditional on their ability to turn a profit. Under the guise of humanitarianism, these folks have convinced people any attempt to balance economic and environmental interests is inherently misguided and ignorant.
Yes, it is beyond crucial global warming be solved. Just like everyone else, I would like to have a planet in 100 years. But I share Cockburn’s fears that in the march to save the planet, we risk leaving our progressivism at the door. Today’s environmental movement is not the movement I grew up with. It is not the environmentalism of “50 Things You Can Do to Save the Earth.”
Nope. This new green mentality is bent on making a lot of money very quickly. It’s the kind of “environmentalism” that preys on the sensibilities of Midwestern mayors, convincing them to dump millions of dollars into hybrid bus manufacturers whose fortunes are only very loosely-aligned with our city economies. All this begs the obvious question: How serious do our elected city officials — Mayor Dave Cieslewicz especially — feel this recession is? In new local radio ads, Cieslewicz promotes
In a recent Badger Herald article (“City to increase hybrid fleet,” Feb. 24, 2009), Mick Rusch of Madison Metro Transit was quoted with a cheery appraisal of the stimulus spending: “We’re still collecting data to see what kind of return we get from the hybrid bus; [see] if the benefits outweigh the cost. Regardless, they are good for our community because they reduce exhaust emissions by 90 percent.” Someone should alert him (and while they’re at it, alert most Americans) what federal stimulus spending is. To paraphrase Rusch, it is perfectly fine if stimulus money is spent on projects with questionable economic benefits, so long as something else good results from them. Yikes. By that standard, we could buy reusable grocery bags for everybody in
If FDR were alive today, he would be astonished at the glibness of city administrators during this economic crisis. Here’s an idea instead: Add more bus lines in
I’m perfectly serious. There is no better way to immediately stimulate our local economy than by sharply increasing the efficiency of mass transit. This would greatly increase the accessibility of our small-business and downtown shopping areas. Along with a dramatic increase in bus lines through economic hot spots, some of the $9.5 million could perhaps be spent subsidizing the bus fares of a healthy portion of low- and middle-class riders. This wouldn’t be as lucrative for Madison Metro, which apparently can make the mayor do anything it wants — but it would stimulate our economy.
But Cieslewicz et al would prefer Madison Metro and the Gillig Corporation in
Eric Schmidt (eschmidt@badgerherald.com) is a senior majoring in political science with an ILS certificate.
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Haha a perfectly well thought out article and quite true. A point of interest in these weak economic times is something John Maynard Keynes wrote in his manifesto that brought about the type of socialist/capitalism hybrid we use today. He said it would be better for an economy if the government paid workers to dig ditches and fill them up again simply because infrastructure spending by the government is inefficient and lengthy.
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For years, environmentalism was unprofitable. Not surprisingly, little was done to improve the environment. Eventually, market forces changed and it became possible to improve one’s bottom line while acting in a pro-environment manner. Whether it’s hotels washing your towels every other day or Gillig manufacturing a hybrid bus, the fact that it’s now profitable to make these changes means that we actually get to see these changes in action. This is not a bad thing.
Oh, and 5:00, if you think it’s inefficient for the government to produce infrastructure, you should see the rare occasions when the private sector tries. Witness the decade-plus long attempt by the Dakota, Minnesota, and Eastern railway to build 280 miles of track in Wyoming, or closer to home ATC’s attempt to build a new power line through Dane County. At least government has eminent domain to push things through when no one budges, and I don’t think anyone wants to see that expanded to the private sector.
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“There was a time when stealing stimulus money from recession-weary Madison residents and funding a pet project instead would not have been considered “progressive” by anyone.”
“Stimulus” money IS stolen money. You’re merely arguing over how to spend the loot.
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wat u got against buses man?
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I agree, the environmental movement today is rather silly. We need some revolutionary to lead a no-funny-business movement. what do you say eric?
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so what you’re saying that we shouldnt spend the money because Gillig Corporation jobs wont be saved/ensured with these 18 buses? I think the mayor’s doing exactly what the stimulus set out to do. When gas returns to its properly high levels, you’ll be grateful they wont have to raise rates because they have the savings from all that unburnt diesel