tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10833510.post4045362196323334845..comments2023-09-27T01:44:56.585-07:00Comments on Clark County Politics: A little bone to pick with Phillip Johnson, Deputy Mayor of Battle Ground, on the gas tax.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10833510.post-60870789293563970342015-07-11T16:48:43.956-07:002015-07-11T16:48:43.956-07:00The basic problem is the most politicians make the...The basic problem is the most politicians make the mistake that "government is a force for good." That is the general operating philosophy of politicians from both major political parties (and many of the lesser parties). The primary difference is what the politicians of the different parties would choose to prioritize. <br /><br />It NEVER occurs to them that government is a drag on the economy and a yoke of repression on the voters. That given choices, voters might actually be more effective at spending their own money -- that's why "free market" choices tend to be better than political solutions. <br /><br />While providing various "public infrastructure" is a role that government usually fulfills, with the proper legislation, then private investors might be able to build roads (and bridges) as needed -- with rather more moderate costs associated with these projects and efficient toll-taking systems that might work out to cost less than the tax burden. There have been some experiments (with private companies building a few highways and/or "HOV" lanes) -- but these experiments ought to be extended ... with the taxpayer not being the one to underwrite projects that often make little economic sense that politicians conceive. (Would a private company have built the I5/Mill Plain interchange?)Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12570014965381941530noreply@blogger.com