>  -----Original Message-----
> From:         Stroud, Gregory A  [email address removed]]
> Sent: Friday, December 06, 2002 8:52 AM
> To:   RTID@wsdot.wa.gov
> Subject:      Mr. tax man
>
> If you ask for a new tax you best be prepared for some tough times....
>
> 1.  We do not trust any of you!
> 2.  You never tell us when the tax will go away!  It just keeps on going.
> 3.  Public officials thinks buses are the answer - sorry - you could not pay me to ride one.  Costs more then driving, dangerous to ride.  smelly people on them.  takes more time from my day then sitting in traffic jams.
> 4.  You call it an investment - I call it a government subsidy!  We continually subsidize for the people whom are unwilling to take responsibility for them selves and pay their own way!  If they can not afford a car then they should pay full price for the operation of the bus.  I should not have to pay for them.
> 5.  in 1920 - we had the interurban from Everett to Tacoma -  it was removed and land sold off!   Now you want to buy at today's prices and tax the piss out of the working guys! 
> 6.  We all see our elected officials spending like drunken sailors - New base ball stadiums and Tacoma's new museums  and the list goes on!  I am middle class and can not afford to take my family to a game in Seattle - about 200.00.  So the middle class taxes pay for the stadium only the rich can afford to go to!  You do the math!
>
> You guys should mandate that all elected officials ride the buses.  You will see how scary this is.  Drivers get shot - assaulted and I would not even want to sit on those dirty things!   Walk the walk - talk to people - not just your upper crust buddies in their SUV's going to a game only they can afford!