TedPage: The gas crisis

In the last year gas prices have risen pretty dramatically. But, some people are labeling it a crisis which I would say is going a little bit far. Anyway, it is providing a political motive in congress, though they seem to be unable to do anything real. It seems they believe government can provide a quick fix, which is entirely what governments are bad at. Instead they should be focusing on the long term solutions to a systemic non-renewable energy dependency in our economy. Thinking that politicians would realize that is probably being too optimistic.

I did come up with a plan for Mayor Villaraigosa, a short term plan that could provide long term benefits for LA. I e-mailed him, but I thought I'd put it here so that someone would read it:

Dear Mr. Villaraigosa,

All politicians are looking for a way to be seen as helping in the current increase of gas prices. I think I have a way that you could help, help the Democratic party, and in turn help LA even more.

I think, for the summer, you should subsidize half the price of the monthly Metro passes. The monthly passes, because this encourages people to ride the bus or rail more than once. For the summer, because I imagine it is a smaller amount of money that can more easily be found quickly (summer is here!). Bus passes, because you'll be helping the people who really need help in this situation, not those who can actually afford Lincoln navigators.

When you do this, the national press is going to love it. They're enjoying putting up gas prices every night, but they have little other content to go with it. You would be providing that content. Which would get you national attention. Which, you could then spin to "a way that Democrats are helping the people." This is important, this will help your party in the next election, and give the direction to the solutions towards public transportation in Washington.

Which, in the end, is how it will all help LA. As congress is looking to pass a bill to solve problems caused by increased gas prices, they're going to be spending money. If you can direct the conversation to public transportation you can probably get the money that you want to extend LA's rail lines -- Red line to the ocean excites me.

All in all, this is a simple action that will get you and LA good press in the gas crisis (LA rarely gets good press when cars are concerned). It also becomes a politically savvy move hopefully getting federal funding into our rail line.

     --Ted Gould