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Home Front: Politix
WA State Treasurer: Shut Down $11.4B Monorail Before It Bankrupts
2005-06-23
Posted by:Anonymoose

#6  This is base on the existing monorail which runs from Westlake Center to Seattle Center (about 1 mile) which was built (drum roll please.....) for th 1962 Worlds Fair. Thats right folks its 43-year old technolgy (ooohhhhh!!! aaaahhhh!!!).

Just what we farking need!

And Seattle recenty bought the Mariners a new baseball stadium (ok, about 5-10 years ago) and the Seahawks (sometimes call sea-hens) another Stadium.
Posted by: CrazyFool   2005-06-23 19:11  

#5  $2.1 billion present day construction costs for 14 miles! That's $150 million per mile for something a only a few thousand will ride each day. And who finances public projects with 50 year bonds? It's cheaper to build each projected rider a new house next to their workplace than to build this turkey. The only monorail that should be built is one that is used to ride it's advocates out of town.
Posted by: ed   2005-06-23 16:47  

#4  Transit systems have their place as do private automobiles. But it seems all to often public officials become enamoured with gee whiz transit ideas when there are other options available. Why not just upgrade the bus system instead. The problem with rail ssytems is of course their basic inflexibility. Not in scheduling but in that they are tied to their routes. If population shifts take place they're screwed in being able to adapt. But that said I am in favor of regional high speed rail if it can be run at a reasonable cost. Up to a cerain distance it is generally faster than air travel in total trip time when taking into consideration waiting times in airports and the such. Its just that the do gooders want rail ala Amtrak to "affordable"
Posted by: Cheaderhead   2005-06-23 15:33  

#3  Wasn't this a Simpsons episode?

Lyle Lanley: Well, sir, there's nothing on earth
Like a genuine,
Bona fide,
Electrified,
Six-car
Monorail!
What'd I say?
Ned Flanders: Monorail!
Lyle Lanley: What's it called?
Patty+Selma: Monorail!
Lyle Lanley: That's right! Monorail!
[crowd chants `Monorail' softly and rhythmically]
Miss Hoover: I hear those things are awfully loud...
Lyle Lanley: It glides as softly as a cloud.
Apu: Is there a chance the track could bend?
Lyle Lanley: Not on your life, my Hindu friend.
Barney: What about us brain-dead slobs?
Lyle Lanley: You'll be given cushy jobs.
Abe: Were you sent here by the devil?
Lyle Lanley: No, good sir, I'm on the level.
Wiggum: The ring came off my pudding can.
Lyle Lanley: Take my pen knife, my good man.
I swear it's Springfield's only choice...
Throw up your hands and raise your voice!
All: Monorail!
Lyle Lanley: What's it called?
All: Monorail!
Lyle Lanley: Once again...
All: Monorail!
Marge: But Main Street's still all cracked and broken...
Bart: Sorry, Mom, the mob has spoken!
All: Monorail!
Monorail!
Monorail!
[big finish]
Monorail!
Homer: Mono... D'oh!

Maybe they should have a special screening of this show for the folks in the Pathetic Northwet.
Posted by: Bizzy Halder   2005-06-23 13:37  

#2  Typical liberal crap. Throw money at a feel-good-green project until you don't have anymore. Then, raise taxes to fund more feel-good-green-socialsim projects that don't work.
Posted by: mmurray821   2005-06-23 11:20  

#1  It's just like Vietnam. Also, think of the opportunity cost: the $11.4B would provide defense counsel for every dissident in Gitmo.
Posted by: Matt   2005-06-23 11:13  

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