Tuesday, December 16, 2008
The Big Dig Culture: The Sequel
Is Gov. Patrick seriously thinking of appointing James A. Aloisi Jr. as head of transportation? If so, it would prove Deval is more of a big-spender progressive than a reformer. He really wants that extra toll money. ... The official explanation, or theory, is that Deval wants someone more experienced to sell his transportation plan, i.e. Deval is moving from Duke I (idealist) to Duke II (pragmatist). But Duke II ultimately transformed into Duke III (unacknowledged cynic), creating the foundation of the current Hack-Progressive Alliance. I can see striving for a balance between Duke I and Duke II, or a Duke 1.5. But bringing back a key figure from the Big Dig Culture is an anti-reform disaster. ... Once again Sal is getting out in front of Deval. He did it on gambling. He's doing it again on transportation. Thank goodness. ... Two observations about Sal's op-ed: Notice the reference to reforming the MBTA's 'out of control' pension system (yeah!) and the future of tolls (ugh). How much you want to bet we'll get some of the latter and none of the former?
Is Gov. Patrick seriously thinking of appointing James A. Aloisi Jr. as head of transportation? If so, it would prove Deval is more of a big-spender progressive than a reformer. He really wants that extra toll money. ... The official explanation, or theory, is that Deval wants someone more experienced to sell his transportation plan, i.e. Deval is moving from Duke I (idealist) to Duke II (pragmatist). But Duke II ultimately transformed into Duke III (unacknowledged cynic), creating the foundation of the current Hack-Progressive Alliance. I can see striving for a balance between Duke I and Duke II, or a Duke 1.5. But bringing back a key figure from the Big Dig Culture is an anti-reform disaster. ... Once again Sal is getting out in front of Deval. He did it on gambling. He's doing it again on transportation. Thank goodness. ... Two observations about Sal's op-ed: Notice the reference to reforming the MBTA's 'out of control' pension system (yeah!) and the future of tolls (ugh). How much you want to bet we'll get some of the latter and none of the former?
