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Parking Meter Privatization Poses New Problem
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Photo by Steve Koo. |
Chicago's recent privatization of parking meters might have had an unexpected consequence. For WBEZ, Dave Glowacz reports on a lesser known problem that's a result of parking meter privatization.
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Jerry Mead-Lucero, Pilsen // Tuesday, April 21, 2009 @ 9:52 PM
“unexpected consequence”! It should have been totally expected! Don’t you guys understand what privatization is all about? I would expect that allegedly educated “public servants” like Scott Waguespack and Tom Tunney, who voted in favor of the privatization plan, would understand what privatization really means. Privatization, like all other aspects of neo-liberal economics is as much about a transfer of power as it is about making money. The whole point is to remove formerly public sectors of society from public power and control and to transfer those sectors into the hands of private corporate power. This is the same tactics and logical that operate under NAFTA & CAFTA rules. In 1999 Methanex Corp. sued the U.S. government for $970 million because of a California law phasing out the sale of MTBE, a gasoline additive that is harmful to the environment. They did so through NAFTA’s secretive court system which is outside the jurisdiction of the U.S. our any governments legal system, setup under the Chapter 11 investor to state rights provisions of NAFTA. Metalclad, a U.S. company sued a small community in Mexico for 16.5 million dollars when Mexican citizens tried to pass and ordinance preventing the company from creating a toxic waste dump in their back yard, once again using Chapter 11 provisions of NAFTA. And there are dozens of other examples. I recommend Bill Moyers NOW Program episode entitled “Trading Democracy” if you are in the dark about this stuff. So it made me laugh when the WBEZ reporter quoted Tom Tunney as stating that Morgan Stanley can not take away Alderman’s legislative power. Sorry Tommy Boy, but that is exactly what privatization is all about. That is why it represents such a threat to democracy. Wise up people.
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Bruce, Lakeview // Wednesday, April 22, 2009 @ 9:40 AM
Duh!!! We all knew that selling the parking meters was a TERRIBLE idea when it was proposed, why is it that the aldermen are just realizing this now?
But let's not forget the other unintended consequence of this move... it'll end up costing Mayor Daley his job!!! He sold off our future and it'll cost him his future as mayor. So at least we have that working in our favor.
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George, South Loop // Thursday, April 23, 2009 @ 9:39 PM
Mr. Mead-Lucerno,
You are incorrect about Alderman Waguespack voting in favor of the ordinance allowing the sale of the cities parking meters. Please check your facts sir.
http://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago_parking_meters/
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Jerry Mead-Lucero, Pilsen // Sunday, April 26, 2009 @ 7:07 PM
My mistake. Thank you for your correction George. Waguespack was very helpful during the Republic Windows & Doors factory occupation as well. I guess he is one of our better Alderman. Especially compared to Daley yesmen like Tunney.
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Kimberly, Bronzeville // Monday, April 27, 2009 @ 10:20 AM
The Reader article is beautiful. This is just one of the gems I read:
"Alderman Mell contends the council has had more than enough time to study the deal: “How many of us read the stuff we do get, OK? I try to. I try to. I try to. But being realistic, being realistic, it’s like getting your insurance policy. It’s small print, OK?”
At least this goofball is honest about what a lazy, useless waste of taxpayer money he represents. If aldermen can't be bothered to read the "fine print" then what kind of value do they possibly hold? Let's vote these clowns out of office already.
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