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One of my favorite anecdotes about the government in the US is the TRAX system in Utah. It was initially built under the support of a tiny liberal core of SLC c
by saosebastiao 10y ago
One of my favorite anecdotes about the government in the US is the TRAX system in Utah. It was initially built under the support of a tiny liberal core of SLC combined with the promise of the winter olympics. But they did something unheard of in the US: they 1) designed it well, addressing real transportation needs, without any frivolous details, shady contracts, or massive stations named after politicians, 2) they built it extremely quickly and under budget, and 3) once built, they continued to operate it with high service levels and low costs.
And because of it, something else happened that was unheard of in the US: Republicans voted insatiably for more of it. Every single vote they put on a ballot was thrusting the system further and further into red country...places where republicans win over democrats with 90% of the vote or more. And they all passed.
This is why I can't get on board with any part of the left in the US, despite ideologically identifying more with the Western European green parties. The left wants more, but won't address the gigantic fucking elephant in the room, the fact that we suck at government and aren't doing anything to fix it. And because of it, I don't blame the right at all for feeling the way they do. The government sucks, and they have never experienced anything better, so why should we vote for more of it? Fix the government and they'll be begging for more.
- BurningFrog 10y agoUtah is special: https://www.bloomberg.com/view/articles/2017-03-28/how-utah-keeps-the-american-dream-alive https://www.bloomberg.com/view/articles/2017-03-28/how-utah-...
- germinalphrase 10y agoIt's an interesting article, but left me feeling that what's "special" about Utah is less the qualities or decision making of their government then it is the willingness of the population to make an active effort to help people in their community on a purely voluntary basis. Everywhere I've lived has really felt like the opposite - you're on your own. Of course, a strong social support network works better - but we don't have that kind of culture in the US.
- dangjc 10y agoAt the national level, it's usually the right that is obstructive in making government work better. Like letting Medicare negotiate drug prices so costs are contained. Or defunding regulatory agencies that protect consumers so they can't do their job. I agree though that the left doesn't push for efficiency remotely enough. Procurement is a big mess.
- kcorbitt 10y agoUtah is also doubling down on public transport with the Frontrunner regional rail service that connects Utah and Salt Lake county, with further extensions in development. As a former Utah County resident, I was pleased with the service and used it frequently, even though I had a car. They're continuing to expand the line. Utah really does have a strange political balance -- maybe a unique one. Very ideological and partisan on some issues, and yet extremely pragmatic and practical on others, willing to get behind compromises that would be dead on arrival in most places in America's hyperpartisan climate, especially Republican-controlled ones.