The Fig File: The Silence Is Deafening and I Now Know Why.
Hey New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, even you Pennsylvania stragglers: The MTA is going to raise your bus and train fare almost a buck, add tolls on bridges that have been fee free for 100 years and even make your employer pay a tax that most likely will nix your future holiday bonuses and pay raises!
Doesn’t that get a rise out of ya? No? Let me put it another way: This is equivalent to getting a bare knuckle punch in the back of the head by the Metropolitan Transit Agency, and this is only the beginning. One would think that this kind of proposed plan would have folks up in arms, yelling and screaming at even the thought of paying another red cent toward their Metrocard. Tag that with some form of tollbooths added onto bridges that commuters have taken traditionally to save a few bucks, not to mention to enjoy the vista of Manhattan Island’s East Side span. I think of those who take solace in crossing the Brooklyn Bridge simply for the aesthetic view of downtown’s chrome, stone and gilded architecture, and how they will now hit that toll plaza and remember what this once free moment in their morning drive commute now costs them.
That’s gotta rub someone the wrong way right? Minus a few Councilman flanked by their local constituency (usually about 7 members of the moral majority with dreams of leading their district one day) speaking out on the 5pm news and local radio, there is silence from the straphanger.
What’s going on with everyone?
“I don’t think anyone believes it’s going to happen!” said good friend of the John Gambling Show and Daily News Columnist Michael Goodwin. He is right on the money. People can’t be bothered with proposed plans, they are concerned with what is printed firmly in black ink in a new tax or law that garnishes their check. But I think it runs even deeper than lack of belief: we as a people have lost something inherent. There no longer is fire in the boots of those who call the Tri-State their home. There is a general sense of ‘keep your head down, look only at what’s in front of you, don’t make too much noise and at the end of the day, eat your dinner and watch your must see TV - on high definition of course’. Just put off the pain of paying that extra fare, that new toll, losing out on that pay raise you so desperately need until tomorrow. The MTA will be bailed out, for the time being, and everything in the world will be all right . Except the view through the cable and spires of the Brooklyn Bridge of course.
Inside Studio Four: An Inside Look Into The John Gambling Show: The Great Blog War. Hey Listener Club members, as I understand it, you have the opportunity to read and vote this whole week on who’s blog you like better: My blog the Fig File or News Director Joe Bartlett’s Blog. Right now, Joe’s blog has a few more votes than mine, but I beseech to all of you, give me a read and vote Fig! I’m writing for you! If you aren’t a Listener Club member - what are you waiting for? Go to wor710.com and sign up - it’s super easy!
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