Privately funded public transportation is an interesting idea, but I honestly don't think you should suggest that people having a medical emergency take a bus rather than an ambulance. The reason why people take an ambulance is because of the medical treatment that can be provided which obviously can't be provided on a bus. You'd be getting yourself into all kinds of liability issues with that kind of thing.

The reason why people take an ambulance is because of the medical treatment that can be provided which obviously can't be provided on a bus.

That's not entirely true. See, in communities without public transportation, people often call the ambulance because they can't carry their children five miles to the hospital. I don't have to look up stats, I've seen it firsthand.

For situations where an ambulance is required, yes, an ambulance should be called. But in the cases to which I am referring, the ambulance has been used effectively as public transportation because of the lack of public transportation in these areas.

Not to make this an "ambulance" issue, but people from the ghetto will still call the ambulance intead of getting on the bus...why? (Direct quote from many ambulance "patients)... "are you kidding, taxis (and busses) cost money!"

As for your ideas about private busses, it could only work in areas where busses are used a lot. Here in Sheboygan, our "public transportation" system are little more than moving billboards. They spend most their day roaming the streets of the city with an add on the outside and only a driver inside.

Para,

In Oshkosh, only an hour away, the public transit is a little better managed. They're constantly revising routes due to ridership, and (last I checked) have service to rural communities like Omro and Winneconne.

Part of the reason they've been at least moderately successful is they do the cooperative arrangement I've suggested in reverse: the busses that serve the schools pick up the kids instead of school busses themselves.

There would still be problems even if the system I am proposing is implemented. But it should at least be examined, and we should look at ways to better serve the public without mugging them for their hard earned dollars.

It sounds like a good idea Gid.

I don't know if you'd want to make it a big part of your platform when running for office though. It seems more like something you'd save until you are in office and then change...then use the benefits from it for your next election.

The reason I don't think it will work as a "platform" idea is because I don't think most people care about it. Yes, people without cars probably do care, but what are the odds they will be walking to vote? And even added all together, I don't think it is a big enough issue.

I find in local elections, the person who most often wins has a general platform. He or she picks 5-6 things that affects everyone and then talks about those things.

You are a smart man and have many great ideas. Ideas that will really propel you in the political world should you be elected. But for some reason I don't see those very same ideas propelling you in the "civilian" world....does that make sense?

I may be wrong but I believe you are attempting public office to facilitate change from the inside. But people who don't know you...when they hear you say smaller gov...will think..."Hmmm, well why does he want to be part of it then?"

Also the CPS thing. A lot of people don't actually hate CPS, don't think it needs changed (mostly because they never had to deal with them) and some have actually been ~gasp~ helped by them.

I guess all this to say, people are more likely to vote for someone they see as "moderate" than someone who has strong opinions and ideas about things. Does it sound wishy washy...yeah, sure. But look at the people who get elected in this country.....then once you are in, well everything is on the table. And I am not speaking from inexperience...I was the on campus campaign manager for local candidates at the college I attended.

Good luck running.......make sure you give us all the details!

You might be heartened to hear, that at least part of the Richmond Transit system is preivately funded.  They call the Route - The Jobs Bus, and basically it comes from outlying areas and stops along broad street where the employers subsidize the bus, not the taxpayer.  Of course that is just one route among the many and the rest are standard subsidized by taxes ones.

As for the CPS issue...most people that feel CPS is a good agency don't have the facts about CPS. Although many of them won't take time to look at all the facts I present, I will present them just the same. My best hope for election lies in the poorer families in our poor region, not in the wealthier families for many reasons, and issues of public transportation and of CPS accountability will resonate with some of them.

The problem I have as a Libertarian is I can't promise increased government spending on people's pet projects, which is what most politicians promise to get elected. I could, but I won't run a campaign based on lies. The fact is, though, we live in a region where tax money that is collected here is often used to finance projects downstate, and where our population dictates that we don't have the access to public transit that larger communities have. This means we need creative ways to give to our communities what larger communities such as Dallas and Austin see to be their basic right.

I'm in a catch 22 as far as my platform goes, though. If I moderate my platform, I'm accused of having a "weak" platform. If I stand by my principles, I am accused of being an extremist. Because I am running in a two person race, however, I need to contrast myself from my opponent, who has held office and run completely unopposed for nearly two decades. I can't do that with a moderated platform that sounds too much like his own.

You might be heartened to hear, that at least part of the Richmond Transit system is preivately funded. They call the Route - The Jobs Bus, and basically it comes from outlying areas and stops along broad street where the employers subsidize the bus, not the taxpayer. Of course that is just one route among the many and the rest are standard subsidized by taxes ones.

Good to know. I might look to them for ideas.

A lot of people don't actually hate CPS, don't think it needs changed (mostly because they never had to deal with them)

Actually, 580,000 kids in US foster care would argue that more people have had to deal with CPS than you realize (retaliatory CPS calls have been made in an estimated 60% of divorce cases).

. The fact is, though, we live in a region where tax money that is collected here is often used to finance projects downstate, and where our population dictates that we don't have the access to public transit that larger communities have. This means we need creative ways to give to our communities what larger communities such as Dallas and Austin see to be their basic right.

Sounds like a STRONG platform base to me....and will resonate with everyone, even the wealthy.

Have you looked at the numbers of poor who actually VOTE in your elections? I am sure you have.

You seem to have things under control, as if I didn't already know that...ha!

Good luck!

Have you looked at the numbers of poor who actually VOTE in your elections? I am sure you have.

Actually, in an off year election, just under 50% of the registered voters actually vote. My strategy revolves around getting about 12% of those who are normally no shows to the polls, along with pulling about 15% of the traditional Republican voters and the majority of the traditional Democrat voters (because of their dissatisfaction with the incumbent). The only way to motivate the traditional nonvoters to the polls would be to give them a common issue that they can rally around. And in poor communities, CPS is a VERY hot button issue.

It's an uphill battle, to be sure. But, as I remind my wife, since noone's ever actually RUN against this guy, nobody can honestly predict HOW good or bad we will do.

It's an uphill battle, to be sure. But, as I remind my wife, since noone's ever actually RUN against this guy, nobody can honestly predict HOW good or bad we will do.

That is true. Hope you win!