You think its bad for PAT now, it's about to get A LOT WORSE! (Pittsburgh: subsidized, costs)

[squarian]

Originally Posted by BrianTH

I'm not sure those are mutually-exclusive. They are radical in terms of policy, because they are cynical in terms of their duties and obligations as public officials.

True, and as with any radical political movement you have the cold-stare true-believer Heydrich types and the opportunistic fellow-traveler Ribbentrop types.

[Craziaskowboi]

I support public transit because it can help keep people who don't belong on the Interstates off the Interstates. (And by that I mean slow drivers.)

[robrobrob]

I thought the union and Onorato were meeting to see if they can agree on some concessions to lessen the burden of of the cuts. Whatever happened to this? Am I correct to assume that the unions would rather have a certain percentage of the union brothers lose their jobs then collectively make concessions.

This is what I don't understand about unions in general. At some point I would think that they would care about some of the union brothers being laid off but that hasn't been the case. Look at all of the bus drivers that were laid off and all of the teachers being laid off prior to the start of the school year and the unions aren't offering any proposals that would prevent this.

[squarian]

Originally Posted by robrobrob

Whatever happened to this?

As I recall, it ended with a shouting match.

[Blackbeauty212]

Originally Posted by BrianTH

Blaming everyone is the same as blaming no one, because it holds no one accountable for what they actually are doing.

The City has virtually nothing to do with funding public transit. The County does play a role, but the County is fulfilling its funding commitments to PAT.

This crisis is occurring precisely because the State is not fulfilling its funding commitments. Again, if you blame everyone for that instead of the actual state officials responsible, it is like blaming no one at all.



Why aren't YOU?

Seriously, you take yourself out of the game when you fall for the "everyone is to blame" nonsense. That is precisely what the people who are really to blame want you to think.

I again, giving people of power a pass, which is exactly what you're doing...is no better.

Blaming everyone does not equate to blaming no-one, that's a radical view on your part.

Blaming everyone, as every politician that has a hand in PAT demise should be held accountable, not just some or one group and not the other. Blaming everyone who rightfully has a hand in this mess, should get the public to stand up and demand serious change, politicians will listen when they know they're a** is on the line.

Again the mayor may not have much power in solving PAT's problem, but he has a powerful voice of the region, and can come out and make a stand not supporting what Corbett is doing...But again you give him a pass because he not directly the culprit...

I'm sorry but that line of thinking is exactly how politicians like Corbett get right into office.

[Blackbeauty212]

Originally Posted by robrobrob

I thought the union and Onorato were meeting to see if they can agree on some concessions to lessen the burden of of the cuts. Whatever happened to this? Am I correct to assume that the unions would rather have a certain percentage of the union brothers lose their jobs then collectively make concessions.

This is what I don't understand about unions in general. At some point I would think that they would care about some of the union brothers being laid off but that hasn't been the case. Look at all of the bus drivers that were laid off and all of the teachers being laid off prior to the start of the school year and the unions aren't offering any proposals that would prevent this.

Please that was a front some more BS lines to get the story off the front page of the PG and so the Local Media will quit talking about it.

Onorato just wants to get the hell outta office, since he knows wont run again. His brand is already damage with the region, so he'll just leave the mess for the next County Exec to clean up.

[raubre]

Boy Mayor should speak up. If there are no busses, less people will be able to come downtown. Isn't that what he wants?

[Lobick]

Originally Posted by Blackbeauty212

Blaming everyone, as every politician that has a hand in PAT demise should be held accountable, not just some or one group and not the other. Blaming everyone who rightfully has a hand in this mess, should get the public to stand up and demand serious change, politicians will listen when they know they're a** is on the line.

I agree with this wholeheartedly, but you fail to identify how the local pols have a "hand in this mess". As was previously stated, the County is meeting it's promised funding obligations to PAT, at least for now, and the shortfall is entirely at the State level.

I think you tend to overestimate the ability of an urban, Democratic mayor getting on his soapbox to change anything in Harrisburg. There's probably a line of thinking that would suggest anything seen as "political grandstanding" could be counterproductive.

If blaming those at fault and not every politician for every problem is a "radical" point of view, consider me Robespierre.

[Lobick]

Originally Posted by Blackbeauty212

Onorato just wants to get the hell outta office, since he knows wont run again. His brand is already damage with the region, so he'll just leave the mess for the next County Exec to clean up.

I think it's important to note that the damage done to his brand locally was largely as a result of pushing through an unpopular drink tax to ensure the County's contribution to PAT could be met.

I think you're largely on an anti-politician rant without much intellectual consistency of positions. If you support PAT and it's mission, you have to at least respect Onorato for taking an unpopular position to fund it rather than abandoning the level of promised County funding like the State has done.

[Blackbeauty212]

Originally Posted by raubre

Boy Mayor should speak up. If there are no busses, less people will be able to come downtown. Isn't that what he wants?

Luke only wants to Speak out when it paints him in a favorable light...anything such as the Port Authority problem, which will affect the city far more than any other municipality, he hides under his desk and hope no one mentions his name in the matter.