Our Way Or The Highway

Steve Berg's October 15th editorial '12 reasons why Minnesota lags behind' is a perfect example of the Star Tribune's Editorial board "our way or the highway" attitude on transportation issues. Although they claim to want an open debate on the matter they have shown time and again that if you oppose their viewpoints you will be branded as part of the problem.

Berg uses the Republican Party's opposition to the Hiawatha light rail line to claim that the party is against all rail options and only supports roads. If a viable, economical, and efficient rail plan was proposed that would actually ease congestion I am certain that Republicans would be in favor of it. Just because you oppose a bad rail plan does not mean that you are opposed to all rail plans.

He then goes on to complain that making progress is difficult when the debate is driven by "groups of self-interest". I'm sure that Berg and the rest of the editorial board would rather that the Star Tribune control the discussion thereby limiting real debate and making it much easier to achieve their goals. Those pesky "groups of self-interest" whose influence Berg so laments are made up of citizens who have joined together to make their opinions heard. They are an integral part of our democracy despite the media elites distaste for them.

If us Minnesotans would quite being so difficult and just let the Star Tribune editorial board make transportation decisions for us we'd be much better of. Just ask them.