STOP THE DRPA “TAKERS” AND YOU STOP THE TOLL HIKE

Philadelphia Magazine ^ | 20 Dec 2010 | Chris Freind

[grace522]

Throughout history, there have always been makers and takers.

Makers create things: jobs, products and wealth. Takers produce nothing. Instead, they leech off the makers.

And the biggest taker of all is government.

Oppressive, “taking” governments hold center stage in most foreign countries, where taxpayer rights and the rule of law are cocktail party jokes. But increasingly, the takers are also making their mark in America, squeezing the economic lifeblood out of business and zapping citizens’ creativity and hope.

Usually, the take comes in increments, with public officials saying it’s our duty to accept such small sacrifices. But once the takers set their hooks, they never let go. Consider:

-The tax we pay on every bottle of Pennsylvania liquor to rebuild Johnstown from the flood is “just” 18 cents per dollar. Granted, reconstructing the mega-metropolis of Johnstown must have been a Herculean task, but the flood was…. in 1889.

-The recent city sales tax hike for Philadelphia is “only” a penny, and the city’s 10 percent property tax increase is “temporary.” The truth: residents are leaving the city to make purchases because of the “small,” 100 percent hike; and no tax is ever temporary.

-And of course, we have the Delaware River Port Authority (DRPA) who, after mismanaging our toll dollars (READ: spending half-a-BILLION dollars on economic development projects having nothing to do with the bridges), now finds it fitting to raise tolls — again — on its four bridges and the PATCO train line. But hey, it’s just a dollar! Take one for the team, we’re told.

[grace522]

The DRPA manages 4 bridges between NJ and PA. They, like most government agencies, have bankrupted themselves and are now looking to the forgotten tazpayer for a "bailout". Enough!!!!! No more!!! Shut them down and fire 80% of the staff.

[grace522]

Of course, I meant “taxpayer” ;-)

[Jerrybob]

This is our only hope:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/2623044/posts

De-fund, de-fund, de-fund.

[brityank]

Ping to another good Chris Freind column. :^)

[Tribune7]

ping