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Kyle makes some interesting observation about whether the unemployment rate is the appropriate basis of comparison. Should it be dollars generated or the percentage of people employed? $12.00 an hour jobs aren't great, but they are jobs.

On the other hand, I recall reading a diary on DailyKos a few months ago, when gas prices started to rise, from a guy who woke up one morning and realized he couldn't afford to go to his job, which was like a 45 min. or hour's drive, because he didn't have the money for the gas. Can't recall what his job was, but it was minimum skill and not much money. Highways make it possible to go those long distances, but the rising cost of gas may mean spending $20 or $30 (or more) a day on gas, particularly if you're driving a gas-guzzler. That's an economic suck.

So, maybe the number of jobs shouldn't be the measure -- or, maybe not the only measure. In New York, the wealthiest typically don't use the highways when commuting, because they either live centrally or they take commuter rail from bedroom communities. If the highways serve lower classes, helping them get to work, they probably do serve a highly useful purpose -- and, probably at less expense than building a more extensive rail network.

by Fischy (Ed F.) on Apr 23, 2012 2:38 pm • link • report