Power hungry psychopaths have been salivating over such a prospect for a long time, but only recently have they seen it as a real possibility.
Imagine the temptation of America's vast national wealth and nuclear arsenal to such a psychopath!
The clear-thinking among us have always seen the danger, but it's been almost impossible to convey it to everyone else.
I have the same problem. If I take the Selmon (Crosstown Expressway) it is about 5mi shorter in distance but more than twice as expensive. So I opt for the Skyway Bridge. Only saving grace for me is the view is stunning, and its mostly open highway until I get near downtown St Petersburg.
Our taxes pay for these roads. I know the tolls others face in other parts of the nation are even worse. But the severe cost of tolls now border on Highway Robbery done legally.
Thanks...I am getting tired of trying to persuade people to see what is happening to them. I am not opposed to the rich. It is that the thought came to me that the poorer people in Austin can NOT afford to get on the toll roads. Therefore, the upper classes can enjoy convenience on their level, while the peons slave below. That's all. I do NOT advocate Socialism, but something is wrong with this toll road system.
The government should quit misspending our tax money and build better roads with the taxes instead of having a private company do it and as a consequence make the quick, convenient way available to the people of means, and not the poor. The problem is, I believe, one of mismanagement of tax funds by the government. Perhaps the issue is one of the government not controlling costs and planning adequately to provide roads and the band aid solution became toll roads. Perhaps the solution is to, within a city's limits, have ALL people pay a toll to use ALL of the roads and control costs to keep the toll affordable.