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What about bus fares? Gas prices have tripled and the cost of riding the bus has stayed the same. Why isn't the true cost of riding the bus paid by the patrons? I know, they are "Earth friendly" and they are better than me, right? Let's require the users pay most of the costs of bus usage instead of subsidizing them by taxing the nonusers. The argument that buses keep more cars off the streets is bunk, as most bus riders say they can't afford cars anyway so they would not be driving them. It's time the so-called "poor" pay their fair share in taxes and give the rest of us a break!
Rob Leach
Mica
S-R file photo

As a user and appreciater of the bus system, I guess I am in a minority, as I also have a car and could drive it to work if I wanted more pollution, more gas, parking and insurance expenses, more traffic congestion and more stress. Perhaps if the bus weren't so convenient for me personally I'd feel differently, but while it is not perfect, I think the bus system is one of the best things about Spokane.

The idea that the "poor" need to pay their "fair share" in taxes is entirely contradictory to the idea of taxation at all. But perhaps that's Mr. Leach's point.

What do you think?

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