OT: Open source voting machines and other gizmos (was Re: Comcast and SORBS)

[mailings02 at ttlexceeded.com (Bob George)]

Ben Jackson wrote:
> [...] I'm 100% against elimination of because, it correctly targets
> those who use the road, as opposed to those who don't. If I don't
> feel like paying, I don't have to use the damn things, as there are
> always alternate routes.

It's not the idea of tolls that bothers me so much as the *dopey
implementation* that seems specific to MA. In NJ (of all places), they
seem to making genuine efforts to make the toll process less of an
intrusion. Clever things, like putting in readers that allow SpeedPass
users to maintain speed, putting SpeedPass lanes CONSISTENTLY to the
left to eliminate the ever-so-fan bumper car lane change on a curve
before toll. Then again, the put signs on streets there too. Not that
it's a perfect system, but it's not the nightmare that we have here either.

> [...] My mom also helps pay for the bridge, however, she never drives
> over the damn thing.

I've never driven the majority of the US Interstate system, yet I 
acknowledge that I've probably benefitted from it!

> You're "Western MA turnpike users are paying for the Big Dig"
> complaint is also moot, because they will also be paying for the damn
> thing in taxes if the tolls are eliinated.

So how is the I-90 any different?

I don't think "pay as you go" would work particularly well for things 
like road systems, airports, water and electrical delivery. Otherwise, 
might as well each carve out a cabin up in the hills and hunt our own 
damned food. That, or we can pump quarters into the meter.

- Bob