Comments on: On Christmas, Thinking of Transit as a Tool for Social Justice http://www.thetransportpolitic.com/2008/12/25/on-christmas-thinking-of-transit-as-a-tool-for-social-justice/ Sat, 11 Feb 2012 00:43:11 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: jake http://www.thetransportpolitic.com/2008/12/25/on-christmas-thinking-of-transit-as-a-tool-for-social-justice/#comment-91 jake Wed, 31 Dec 2008 20:47:51 +0000 http://thetransportpolitic.wordpress.com/?p=407#comment-91 You don't have to be a socialist to recognize that market economies have certain fundamental tendencies that generate inequality, encourage unsustainable levels of consumption, and periodically create massively destructive crises. Whether the problems with capitalism are severe enough to warrant exploring alternatives is open to debate, but the need to address capitalism's devastating consequences should not be. You don’t have to be a socialist to recognize that market economies have certain fundamental tendencies that generate inequality, encourage unsustainable levels of consumption, and periodically create massively destructive crises. Whether the problems with capitalism are severe enough to warrant exploring alternatives is open to debate, but the need to address capitalism’s devastating consequences should not be.

]]> By: as http://www.thetransportpolitic.com/2008/12/25/on-christmas-thinking-of-transit-as-a-tool-for-social-justice/#comment-90 as Fri, 26 Dec 2008 15:29:53 +0000 http://thetransportpolitic.wordpress.com/?p=407#comment-90 I cannot imagine, especially in these times, that very many people would argue with the idea that the market economy has a "dark face". But regardless, if we believe that all people should be able to go from place to place, we should support public transit- for its environmental benefits, for its practical benefits, and for the social goal of allowing all members of our communities to travel about, without having to own or use a car. Yes, may we give all of our people the "gift" of more, and lower cost, transit in 2009 and in years to come. I cannot imagine, especially in these times, that very many people would argue with the idea that the market economy has a “dark face”. But regardless, if we believe that all people should be able to go from place to place, we should support public transit- for its environmental benefits, for its practical benefits, and for the social goal of allowing all members of our communities to travel about, without having to own or use a car. Yes, may we give all of our people the “gift” of more, and lower cost, transit in 2009 and in years to come.

]]> By: Jarrett http://www.thetransportpolitic.com/2008/12/25/on-christmas-thinking-of-transit-as-a-tool-for-social-justice/#comment-89 Jarrett Fri, 26 Dec 2008 05:25:09 +0000 http://thetransportpolitic.wordpress.com/?p=407#comment-89 Even given my socialist leanings, I object to the phrase "the dark face of the market economy" The market is like nature, neither good nor bad. The case for lower and even free fares should be made based on the need to counter the market-distorting effects of our many subsidies to cars. To simply attack "the dark face of the market" is to needlessly alienate all of your non-socialist readers. Even given my socialist leanings, I object to the phrase “the dark face of the market economy” The market is like nature, neither good nor bad.

The case for lower and even free fares should be made based on the need to counter the market-distorting effects of our many subsidies to cars. To simply attack “the dark face of the market” is to needlessly alienate all of your non-socialist readers.

]]>